Godello

Synonyms: agudello, Agudelo, ojo de gallo, verdello.

Godello is one of the most important white grapes in Spain. Originally from Galicia, it has its roots in Orense, where it reaches its peak in areas such as Valdeorras, Ribeiro and Monterrei. Also known as verdello, it is one of the varieties that ripens earliest in Galicia. It produces musts with a good alcohol content, between 11 and 13 degrees, which can reach 14 in warmer areas.

Among its great features are its ripe fruit aromas and the oily and fatty sensation it leaves in the mouth. Over the last few years, this variety has gained prominence, partly due to the work of great winemakers who, thanks to this variety, have managed to produce some of the most highly valued white wines in Spain such as Rafa Palacios and his iconic Sorte o Soro.

It is a grape that, due to its qualities, offers very good results when aged on its lees and in the bottle. It adapts to oak ageing but requires subtle work so as not to end up being minimised by the excess of oak.

In the Bierzo appellation, many hectares of this variety are being cultivated to boost its production and weight within the DO, opening the range to white wines as well, instead of focusing exclusively on the red Mencía grape.