Belondrade y Lurton Rueda Verdejo

Rueda, Spain

Spain's benchmark premium Verdejo — centenarian-vine Verdejo from sandy-limestone Rueda soils, fermented and aged in French oak with lees stirring. Anise, citrus blossom, fennel, white peach, toasted hazelnut, bitter almond, and the complex mineral depth that develops magnificently over 5-8 years. The wine that transformed international perception of Verdejo from simple aperitif to serious white wine. Spain's most ambitious Rueda.

Pairing intelligence

• main: Castile's most celebrated legume dish and its finest white wine — Verdejo's citrus and bitter almond character bridges the ibérico ham's depth; saffron bridges the wine's anise notes; beans' neutral richness allows the wine's complexity to shine
• main: The DO's neighbour Segovia's most iconic dish and Rueda's finest white — Verdejo's bitter almond and citrus is one of the few whites that complements suckling pig's richness; crackling's crunch contrasts the wine's silky texture