Verdicchio vs Verdejo

Comparing Verdicchio vs Verdejo makes sense, after all, they sound similar, and they do even share some similar qualities.

Verdicchio and Verdejo are both light to medium bodied with citrus and green apple. Verdicchio has an oily and almond note. Verdejo has an herbal note. Both are medium alcohol.

Here’s what you need to know about Verdicchio vs Verdejo.

Verdicchio Basics: White Italian Gem

Verdicchio grows in the Umbria and Marche regions of Italy where it makes an aromatic, bright white wine with peach, lemon, and green apple. Higher-quality versions of Verdicchio will have an almond note to them. Discover more in the complete Verdicchio wine guide.

Fun Wine Fact: Verdicchio was once more popular than Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc!

Verdejo: Spain’s Other White Wine

Verdejo isn’t as popular as Albariño on the export market, but Spaniards know and love this white wine grape. From the Rueda DO region in Spain (southeast of Albariño’s home), Verdejo is the other classic Spanish white wine.

Verdejo is vinified dry with a light to medium body, medium to medium (+) acid, and zippy citrus, stone, and tree fruit. You’ll notice an herbal note to Verdejo – like fennel. Check out this deep-dive on Verdejo.

Fun Wine Fact: Spanish Verdejo can be blended with Sauvignon Blanc.

Wine Comparison: Verdicchio vs. Verdejo

Here’s a quick side-by-side that covers the most common styles of Verdicchio and Verdejo.

Characteristics	Verdicchio	Verdejo
Hue	Pale lemon to straw	Pale lemon – green tinge
Color	White	White
Aromas	Citrus, green apple, oily, almond	Citrus, green apple, herbal
Sweetness	Dry to off-dry	Dry
Acid	Medium plus to high	Medium to high
Alcohol (%)	12-13%	11-13%
Body	Light to medium	Light to medium
Intensity	Medium to pronounced	Medium
Key Growing Regions	Italy (Marche, Umbria), California	Spain (Rueda)
Classic Pairings	Poultry, salads, light pasta dishes	Seafood, light appetizers
Price Range	$15-$40	$10-$20

Verdicchio Wine Profile

• Sweetness: Verdicchio wines lean towards dryness, offering a range of dry to off-dry styles.
• Alcohol: Verdicchio wines typically have medium alcohol content, similar to Verdejo, ranging from around 11% to 14% ABV.
• Body: Verdicchio is known for its lighter to medium body, similar to Verdejo.
• Acid: Verdicchio displays vibrant acidity, similar or slightly higher than Verdejo wines.
• Flavor and Aroma Intensity: Verdicchio expresses refreshing citrus notes along with green apple, peach, almond, and an oily quality.

Verdejo Wine Profile

• Sweetness: Verdejo wines are dry white wines.
• Alcohol: Verdejo has medium alcohol, in the 11%-13.5% range.
• Body: Verdejo has a light to medium-bodied profile, offering a refreshing and zesty experience.
• Acid: Verdejo has medium to medium plus to high acid, similar to or a little lower than Verdicchio.
• Aroma and Intensity: Verdejo has a medium to medium (+) intensity on the nose and palate with citrus, tree fruit, stone fruit, and an herbal note.
• Flavor: You’ll note citrus first and foremost, followed by green melon, and dill.

Are Verdicchio and Verdejo Similar?

Verdicchio and Verdejo are similar. Both wines are citrus driven with green apple, medium alcohol, a medium body, and higher acid levels.

Both Vericchio and Veredjo are made using protective winemaking techniques. This helps preserve aromatics in your wine. This means using stainless steel and temperature-controlled fermentation. 

Of course, winemakers love to experiment with winemaking styles, and you’ll find innovative Verdejos and Verdicchios from boutique producers.

What Is the Difference Between Verdicchio and Verdejo?

Verdicchio has a distinctive oily quality and an almond skin note to it. Verdejo has a characteristic herbal note that will smell like dill.

Helpful Tip: Just getting started with white wine tasting? Here’s how to pick out aromas in white wines.

Verdicchio vs Verdejo: Food Pairings and Serving Temperature

Verdicchio and Verdejo work well with the same types of cuisine thanks to their zesty acidity. Think coastal seafood dishes, shellfish, and light salads. The wines’ acid compliments these dishes and naturally accentuates their flavors with a refreshing touch. 

Helpful Tip: If you’re just getting started with wine, head over to the post that covers just the basics of food and wine pairing. 

Both wines are best enjoyed chilled. 

Place them in the refrigerator overnight or for a few hours before serving. For both wines, remove the bottle from the refrigerator approximately 10-15 minutes before pouring to reach the ideal serving temperature.

Helpful Tip: If your Verdejo or Verdicchio wines seem closed, let them sit for a few minutes and give them a good swirl to open up.

Which Is More Expensive, Verdicchio or Verdejo?

It’s natural to want to compare the price of Verdicchio vs Verdejo, so here’s what you need to know.

Quality Level	Verdicchio	Verdejo
Entry-level	$15-$20	$15
Premium	$25-$40+	$25-$50+

How Much Does Verdejo Cost?

• Entry-level Verdejo wines start around $15 USD, similar to Verdicchio.
• If you’re looking to treat yourself to a premium experience, you can find higher-priced Verdejo wines. These bottles, priced around $25 to $50 or even higher, offer a more complex and nuanced drinking experience.

Verdicchio Cost

• Entry-level Verdicchio wines also fall within accessible price ranges, usually ranging from $12 to $20 per bottle. These wines are accessible and bright.
• On the premium side, Verdicchio will have more intense fruit flavors. Premium Verdicchio wines will usually cost between $25 – $35 per bottle but can cost $40+.

Helpful Wine Buying Tip: Neither Verdejo nor Verdicchio are as popular as, say Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, so they’re not as widely produced. As a result, entry-level Verdejo and Verdicchio will cost more than extreme-value Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay.

Which Is Better? Verdejo vs Verdicchio

If you love citrus-driven, lighter styles of white wine with bright acid and an almond note, then Verdicchio is the better wine. If you like herbal layers in your wine, then Verdejo is the better choice.

Personal Note: I love Verdejo more than Verdicchio. Just saying.

Final Thoughts – Verdicchio vs Verdejo

Verdicchio and Verdejo share similar flavor profiles, alcohol level, body, and acid, so it makes sense to want to compare them. If you enjoy one, then you’ll probably enjoy the other and it’s worth taking a chance.

The best way to learn about Verdicchio and Verdejo is to do a side-by-side tasting. Grab two bottles of similarly priced Verdicchio and Verdejo, gather some friends, and pop those corks!

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Pinot Grigio vs Vermentino

Thirsty for More?

I’m a big believer in side-by-side tastings to enhance your wine knowledge. Here’s how to host your own wine tasting for beginners.

Hosting a wine party? Check out this wine calculator that will tell you exactly how much and what kind of wine you’ll need.

Check out 13 Foods You Can Make to Pair with Verdejo Tonight