Kim Uncorked: Welcome to my weekly wine recommendation.
Hi, I’m Kim, a passionate lover of wine, food, and any experience that brings the two together! In this weekly blog post, I share my thoughts on a wine that I’ve recently purchased from one of our local independent wine merchants. If you’d like to know more about me, I’ve included a brief bio following the post.
2024 Bardos Verdejo
Rueda DO, Spain
Everything Wine
$28.98
Various locations
I’m always curious to discover lesser-known grape varieties, and if you enjoy Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, Verdejo should be added to your list. Think of it as a slightly minxish cousin to both grapes, sharing their vibrant freshness while offering a distinctive personality of its own, one with lively citrus fruit, savory herbal notes, a crisp mineral edge, but also a plush, sensual side. It’s also capable of aging. Produced in the historic Rueda appellation of Castilla y León—Spain’s premier region for the variety—the Bardos Verdejo is an excellent introduction to this increasingly popular Spanish white wine.
The fruit comes from 20 to 25-year-old vineyards in Rueda and neighboring La Seca, where vines are rooted in rocky soils at elevations of 700–800 metres. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks to preserve the wine’s purity and bright fruit character. The winery also supports the Bardos Project, an initiative developed with Fademur (the Federation of Rural Women’s Associations) that promotes female entrepreneurship in rural Spain. Each year, a new community project receives funding to encourage innovation, create local employment, and help preserve the traditions and vitality of Spain’s rural villages.
As for the wine, the 2024 Bardos Verdejo shows a pale yellow with green highlights. Expressive aromas of lime, grapefruit, green apple, and tropical fruit are layered with fresh herbs, cut grass, fennel, and subtle mineral notes. The palate is crisp, dry, and refreshing, with lively acidity carrying bright citrus flavours through to a clean finish marked by Verdejo’s signature gentle herbal bitterness.
Serve well chilled (7–8°C) with grilled fish, shellfish, fresh salads, vegetable dishes, or light tapas, or enjoy it on its own as a refreshing aperitif.
Kim Mead is a Vancouver-based wine and food writer. She holds the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines with Merit, the French Wine Scholar designation with Honours, the Bordeaux Masters designation with Honours, and the Italian Wine Essentials certification. Kim serves as Cellar Master for the Vancouver chapter of the International Wine and Food Society and is a member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux. Follow her @agalandaglass