José Pariente Verdejo 2025

José Pariente is a family winery in Rueda, in the Castilla y Leon province of Valladolid, working the Verdejo grape that made the region's name. Rueda sits on a high plateau where stony, gravel-rich soils drain freely and the continental climate brings hot days and cold nights; that wide temperature range slows the final ripening and locks in the aromatics and acidity Verdejo is known for. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and then held four months on its fine lees, which are stirred so the dead yeast cells release mannoproteins that add texture and a subtle savoury depth while keeping the fruit clean and fresh. It pours a pale straw with green tints, and the nose leads with lemon, green apple and white peach over the grape's typical fennel and dried-herb note. The palate is dry and crisp, the citrus running through to a faintly bitter, herbal finish that is a Verdejo signature. Serve well chilled at 8 to 10 degrees in a standard white glass. It is a good aperitif and pairs with shellfish, grilled white fish and fresh goat cheese.