Pedro ximénez

Synonyms: Pedro Jiménez, Pedro Ximenes, PX, Ximenez (Andalusia), verdello (Canary Islands).

The legend places its origin in the Canary Islands, from where it would have traveled to the Rhine to be returned to Spain in the luggage of a soldier of the army of Charles V named Pedro Siemens, Pedro Ximen or Pedro Ximenez. It would later be successfully planted in Jerez and spread throughout the south of the peninsula. It has a medium cycle, is very productive and withstands drought well.

The wines obtained with this variety are fleshy and have a good alcohol content. They withstand biological aging well without needing to be fortified, producing wines similar to those of the Marco de Jerez in other areas such as Montilla-Moriles. This variety also produces very potent sweet wines with a high sugar content thanks to the "asoleo" system by which the grapes, when harvested, are placed on the ground on raisins, where they are dehydrated, obtaining a must with a very high sugar concentration that the yeasts can only partially ferment, leaving enough residual sugar in a natural way. These wines are very characteristic in regions such as Montilla-Moriles, Marco de Jerez and Malaga. In recent years, the Priorat region has opted for this variety as a high-level white wine with barrel aging and subsequent bottle ageing.