Aura Verdejo Vendimia Nocturna 2024

Aura Verdejo comes from Bodegas Aura in Rueda, part of the Pernod Ricard group, a winery given over entirely to white wine. It is made fully from the native Verdejo grape, grown on vineyards sitting at around 730 metres above sea level. That altitude is central to the wine: the vines face extreme temperatures, with hot days ripening the fruit fully and cold nights preserving the natural acidity and aromatics. The harvest is done by hand into small boxes and, as the name Vendimia Nocturna signals, at night, when temperatures are lowest, which protects the grapes from oxidation and keeps the fruit and aromatics fresh before they reach the winery. The wine is made in a clean, fresh style without oak. It is pale straw with green highlights, and the nose is fragrant with peach, pear and delicate citrus. The palate is crisp and vibrant, with ripe stone fruit set against a lively acidity and a saline, mineral freshness that carries a long clean finish. This is a wine to drink young and well chilled. Serve it at 8 to 10 degrees with fresh fish, shellfish or a green salad.