Verdejo is a variety of wine grape that has long been grown in the Rueda region of Spain. The grape originated in North Africa and was spread to Rueda in about the 11th Century, possibly byMozarabs.[1]Verdejo was generally used to make a strongly oxidized, Sherry-like wine. In the 1970s, the winemaking company Marqués de Riscalbegan to develop a fresher style of white wine based on Verdejo with the help of French oenologist Émile Peynaud. In 1980, white wines from the Rueda region were recognized by aDenominación de Origen(DO). WineslabeledRuedamust contains 50% Verdejo; the remainder is typical sauvignon Blanco Macabeo. Wines designated "Rueda Verdejo" must contain 85% Verdejo, and are often 100% Verdejo.

Source: Wikipedia