I sometimes wonder how difficult it would be to do a weekly food shop that did not include anything I had bought before . . . Which is not to say that I will buy no bread or cheese or jam but rather to make a conscious effort to buy different types of all of those things.
The reason it is a hard thing to do is that we all have our established favourites and there is nothing more annoying than buying a basket-load of stuff and being disappointed when we get home. Still, if we did not experiment from time to time, life would get very dull very quickly.
As a consequence, I recently went out to buy a case of wine with the intention of choosing only things I did not know — or, at least — had not imbibed recently. And lo, I was reminded of the delights of Verdejo.
Verdejo is a white Spanish grape variety that hails from Rueda (north west of Madrid between Toro and Ribera del Duero); one of Spain’s most promising regions for white wines.
Frustratingly, Verdejo has been pushed aside by the more famous, international Sauvignon Blanc and the higher-yielding (and much less interesting) Viura and has struggled to emerge from their rather overbearing presence.
Fortunately, the aromatic, quite glycerol Verdejo has its fans, and single-variety examples are around for the sampling.
What I am keen on is the nutty, almost aniseed-like and herbal aromas that you can find on some of the wines and the delicate, crisp orchard-fruit flavours.
Because it does have fairly high glycerol content, you will find there is a nice roundness to the wines and they can respond well to oak ageing.
Here then are some lovely examples to try. Vega de la Reina Verdejo 2008 (£7.99 or £6.49 if you buy two at www.majestic.co.uk) has great texture and some lovely, fresh praline-tinged fruits.
Palacio de Bornos Verdejo 2009 (£8.06 www.waitrosewine.com) has been made in a crisper, lighter style than the Vega de la Reina though both have more than a touch of that tangy, herbal freshness.
Oddbins, meanwhile, have the Adra Verdejo 2009 (£7.99) that is arguably the zestiest of the three and a refreshing glass to celebrate the better weather.
You can find out more about Sarah at www.wine-talk.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here