Verdelho (pron. ver-del-o)
Verdelho as a varietal still wine, is a success story the Aussies can claim as their own. It was originally brought to Australia for the purpose of making intensely sweet fortified wines, just as it does on the island of Madeira. However, when bottled as a still table wine (unfortified) the winemakers of Australia found they’d hit on something really special.
Verdelho is a tangy medium-sweet white variety that originates around Portugal and is now grown all around the world. In Australia the Hunter Valley in New South Wales is where the Verdelho grape thrives in the warm sunny climate and sandy soil. Australian Verdelho wine has intense fruit of rich tropical citrus and aromas of lemon, honeysuckle and lime with a honey/mead characteristic. It’s like fruit salad without the sugar.
Verdelho grapes are small, yellow-gold, thick-skinned, hard berries that are high in acidity. It is an early-ripening variety and yields can be high.
Best served cold, Australian Verdelho wine will be a new discovery for many people. It can be enjoyed outdoors with summer barbecues of seafood, chicken and salads. Verdelho is a very versatile wine suitable to accompany most foods and it’s a good wine for cellaring.
Check out our Wine and Food Pairing suggestions to see the best food choice for your Australian Verdelho wine.
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