Verduzzo white wine variety

Verduzzo is a white wine variety which is best known in the North East Italian Region of Friuli.

There are two distinct, but similar varieties with this name - Verduzzo Friulano and Verduzzo Trevigiano.  The first named is generally more highly regarded.

Pizzini Verduzzo

In the Italian region of Friuli (located to the north and east of Venice) Verduzzo is grown in a number of DOC's, namely Aquileia, Colli Orientali, Grave, Isonzo, Latisana and Lison-Pramaggiore.

Dry, off dry and sweet versions are made. The sweet wines are made by fermenting semi-dried grapes.

Dry wines made from Verduzzo are often regarded as lacking in character but some display astringency due to the relatively abundant tannin. The sweet wines are often quite golden in colour and are more highly regarded.

Friuli region of NE Italy

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Verduzzo in Australia

This variety has been around for a decade or so.  

Just a few Australian winemakers are using the variety, both for sweet and dry white wines, but it is fair to say that no Australian Verduzzo has generated much excitement...yet.

It may have a minor role in some cooler regions.

Australian Producers of Verduzzo

• Billy Button Alpine Valleys
• Briar Ridge Vineyard Hunter Valley
• Brown Brothers King Valley
• Carillion Wines Orange
• Cosmo Wines Yarra Valley
• Lazzar Wines Mornington Peninsula
• Pepper Tree Wines Hunter Valley
• Pizzini Wines King Valley
• Sam Miranda Wines King Valley
• Swipers Gully Yarra Valley
• Tallavera Grove Winery Hunter Valley

The flavours of Verduzzo

Sweet wines from this variety are generally more highly regarded. They have honeyed flavours to counteract the astringent tannins.  They are known to age well.

Don't be afraid to serve the sweeter wines with antipasto.  In Udine province of Friuli, where this variety is most commonly grown the local specialty is prosciutto _ thin slices of dry ham preferably from the village of San Daniele. An ideal accompaniment to a glass of off dry Verduzzo.

Other Italian white Wine varieties in Australia

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