Telmo Rodriguez 2021 'Basa' Verdejo, Rueda, Spain

It seemed like it was never going to happen but the summer weather has finally arrived!   We knew this was inevitable so we’ve been on the hunt to find an affordable, refreshing summer quaffer that we all love to drink on warm summer nights.  We scored and were excited to find this delightful, dry Verdejo from Spain to feature as our July Wine of the Month.   Verdejo is a white grape that dates back 1000 years in Spain yet still remains one of Spain’s best kept secrets and a hidden gem in the wine world.  Verdejo produces refreshing and intensely aromatic dry white wines that are reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, yet uniquely different.  The best Verdejo wines come from the high-plateau Rueda region in Castilla y León where the vines struggle in the rocky soils and have adapted to the cold winters and very hot summers.

Verdejo has characteristically bright citrus and melon flavors with a slight savory side making it great for pairing with salads, vegetables, seafood or grilled white meats.  Telmo’s ‘Basa’ Verdejo is highly expressive with aromas of peach, apples and citrus. On the palate it is medium bodied and silky with complex flavors of citrus, peach, green apples and a nice touch of minerality to keep the finish fresh and clean.

Telmo Rodriguez is one of Spain’s greatest winemakers, learning his trade from his family’s Remelluri winery in Rioja then studying viticulture and oenology at the University of Bordeaux.  He left the family winery in the early 90’s to discover new wine regions and vineyards and became a pioneer in rediscovering  indigenous grapes all over Spain.  Telmo was one of the first to make modern, quality Verdejo wines from vineyards in Rueda and the name “Basa” refers to the Baso (goblet) shaped ancient vines that produce some of the juice in this wine.