Fusion Verjus - Verjus Blanc 750ml

Fusion Foods, based in St. Helena in the heart of Napa Valley, helped introduce verjus to American cooks and was among the first California producers to bring this centuries-old ingredient to modern kitchens. Over the years the company has collaborated with respected wineries including Caymus Vineyards, Charles Krug, and Robert Pecota, which have helped process its juice. Its Napa Valley Verjus became the most widely available brand in the country and earned praise from celebrated chefs such as Gary Danko.

Verjus, from the old French for “green juice,” dates back to Roman times and was a staple of Parisian kitchens in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, long before lemons were common in northern Europe. Fusion’s Verjus Blanc is made from white wine grapes such as Chardonnay, including fruit from Carneros vineyards, harvested in midsummer during veraison when acidity is high and sugar is low. The grapes are pressed and the juice is carefully kept from fermenting, preserving its delicate aromas without alcohol.

The flavor is bright and refreshingly tart, offering a gentle acidity that is softer and rounder than lemon juice or vinegar. Crisp, fresh grape character comes through with a light touch of natural sweetness and a clean, lively finish.