- Verdelho
Verdelho is a white
wine grape grown throughoutPortugal , though most associated with the island ofMadeira , and also gives its name to one of the four main types ofMadeira wine . At the turn of the 20th century it was the most widely planted white grape in Madeira. J. Robinson "Vines, Grapes & Wines" pg 248 Mitchell Beazley 1986 ISBN 1857329996 ]Madeira
The grape has traditionally been one of the most popular grapes planted on the small island of Madeira since vines were first planted there in the 15th century. It was however badly affected by the
Phylloxera plague and the number of vines has decreased greatly in the century since then. Since 1993 any Madeira wine labeled as Verdelho must contain at least 85 percent of the grape, which wasn't previously the case.cite book | last = Clarke | first = Oz | authorlink = Oz Clarke| title = Grapes and Wines | publisher =Little, Brown and Company | date = 2001 | pages = 228-229 | isbn = 0-316-85726-2 ]The variety of Madeira wine known as Verdelho lies between those of
Sercial andBual in style, being richer than Bual but not as dry as Sercial. The variety is known for its high acidity when aged, but if drunk young generally possesses more fruit flavor than the other Madeiras. Some producers are experimenting with making a table-style wine by allowing the grapes to ripen more prior to harvesting and blending with the grapeArnsburger to balance Verdelho's naturally highacidity . Oz Clarke "Encyclopedia of Grapes" pg 272 Harcourt Books 2001 ISBN 0151007144 ]Other regions
The grape is also grown in the
Douro valley, where it is known as "Gouveio" and used in white port. It is also a small component of someVinho do Dão .Portuguese Verdelho is noted for its higher sugar content in the grapes then what is typically achieved in the warmer climate of Madeira.In smaller quantities, it is grown in the Galicia region ofSpain where it is called Verdello. The grape can also be found in Argentina, with at least one producer marketing a varietal called simply Verdelho. [cite web |url=http://www.doncristobal.com.ar |title=Don Cristobal 1492|publisher=Don Cristobal|accessdate=2007-06-23]The grape has been successful in the vineyards of
Australia , particularly theHunter Valley region,Langhorne Creek and the Swan Valley. Australian versions of Verdelho are noted for their intense flavors with hints oflime andhoneysuckle and the oily texture that the wines can get after some aging.Viticulture
Verdelho is a moderately vigorous vine that produces small bunches of small oval berries with a high skin to juice ratio. The skins of the berry can be thick and taste "hard" when eaten. The grapes ripen early but can be prone to
powdery mildew . The vines can also be susceptible tofrost during the spring.Other grapes
Verdelho is often confused with
Verdelho Tinto , a red grape also grown in Madeira. The grapes are related but still different similar to howPinot noir andPinot gris . The grape is also confused with the similarly namedVerdelho Feijão of Portugal, the Italian grape Verdello and theVerdejo white grape grown in Spain.ee also
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List of Port wine grapes References
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