Verdelho vs sauvignon blanc

February 10, 2 Comments. This week I will attempt to un-muddy the waters surrounding Verdelho and Verdejo.

Australian white wines made from alternative grape varieties varieties outside the mainstream and planted in small numbers are on the rise. With so much to discover, you might just find a new favourite. Since Viognier was first planted in Australia in the s and 80s, this native French variety has gone from strength to strength. It has similarities to Chardonnay but is more aromatic. Read more about Viognier.

Verdelho vs sauvignon blanc

This sort of smart Alec nonsense really was disappointing. In fact one would hope that professional wine critics would find the time to seek out the virtues of any variety, and distinguish the serious interpretations of the variety from the bland overtly commercial offerings that occur with all varieties. Verdelho is an interesting grape variety, generally not well known or highly regarded in the world of wine, yet having a long history and being of special significance in some instances. Verdelho is best known as one of the four traditional varieties used to make Madeira. The wines of Madeira, an island off the coast of Africa, became famous hundreds of years ago for their rich full flavour and ability to improve dramatically during long sea voyages they were picked up by shipping on the transatlantic routes. James Busby and John Macarthur introduced Verdelho cuttings into Australia in either or both and There would no doubt have been several reasons for the success of verdelho. It must have proved itself easy to grow under the circumstances of the time. Most of the early vineyards were in Sydney or the Hunter Valley where conditions for grapegrowing are considered relatively humid, with high summer rainfall. Verdelho grapes proved resistant to mildew and bunch rot.

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So, what are some good white wines to try beyond the usual suspects of chardonnay, pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc and riesling? Vermentino grapes are grown throughout Italy and thought to have been imported from Spain during the Middle Ages. Areas such as Liguria, Tuscany and the island of Sardinia are known for vermentino, as is the south of France and the island of Corsica. A s arrival to Australia, vermentino has flavours of ripe green apple, lemon and fresh herbs, with a nutty almond finish. Like sauvignon blanc or semillon, this white wine makes a great aperitif and pairs well with salads and grilled fish. Richer styles of vermentino partner perfectly with lobster and tomato-based pasta dishes.

Verdelho is a white wine-grape variety native to the Portuguese island of Madeira. It is grown to a significant extent in Australia, as well as numerous other winegrowing regions around the world. In the vineyard, the Verdelho vine produces small bunches of small, thick-skinned berries. Verdelho is an early-ripening grape and is particularly susceptible to the threat of spring frosts and powdery mildew. On the island of Madeira, Verdelho is considered a noble grape, alongside Sercial, Bual and Malvasia. The outbreak of phylloxera had a devastating impact on these noble grapes. Though plantings of these traditional grape varieties have long been dwarfed by the Tinta Negra variety also known as Negramoll or Tinta Negra Mole , they remain noteworthy because of the distinctive styles of wine they produce.

Verdelho vs sauvignon blanc

Australian white wines made from alternative grape varieties varieties outside the mainstream and planted in small numbers are on the rise. With so much to discover, you might just find a new favourite. Since Viognier was first planted in Australia in the s and 80s, this native French variety has gone from strength to strength.

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You might like these. Verdelho is a stalwart of wines from the Portuguese islands of Madeira and the Azores. Dry white wines produced using the Verdejo grape tend to highly aromatic with aromas of citrus, melon, fresh herbs, and fennel. Trincadeira Red Wine Variety used for port and now more often for table wines in Australia. With its vibrant tropical fruit flavours, Verdelho wine is a crowd-pleaser and a versatile partner for food. Both varieties have been particularly successful in the cooler climates of Tasmania, the Mornington Peninsula, the Adelaide Hills and the Yarra Valley and in recent years have enjoyed increased popularity. No items in your cart Start shopping! The Latest Wine. Colombard makes base wine or Cognac and other styles of brandy or easy drinking white wines. However it is also prone to over ripeness, stuck ferments and excessive phenolics and it can easily produce sugary, broad, fat, unattractive wines. Verdelho is a native of Portugal and the island of Madeira where it is used mainly for the production of fortified wines White Port and Madeira. They will never be great wines, but many are just the ticket for informal lunches, late summer afternoons or just to share with casual visitors. In fact the growth in production of verdelho from hectares in to 1, in has outstripped the overall rate of growth. The vines must have flourished, despite a lack of irrigation, as the pioneers would have had little time for shy bearing vines.

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Jack was keen to produce a special white wine that stood above his famous Houghton White Burgundy and identified verdelho as his preferred variety. Log in. Pairs well with: Middle Eastern and Moroccan cuisine, pad krapow gai, green chicken curry. Verdelho is undoubtedly best-known for its role in the fortified wines of Madeira. Like sauvignon blanc or semillon, this white wine makes a great aperitif and pairs well with salads and grilled fish. Try fiano if you like: semillon, pinot grigio, unoaked chardonnay. Try verdelho if you like: sauvignon blanc, chardonnay. Your name Your email address. Selector Magazine and Wine Selectors values your privacy and follows strict guidelines to ensure it is protected. I still remember the ferment being completed in a pressure tank — the high pressure slowing the ferment with the aim of increasing the fruity character of the wine. Audrey Wilkinson Audrey Series Verdelho. Audrey Wilkinson Museum Reserve Semillon. Verdelho was made in an aromatic fruity style. He bought cuttings from William Macarthur, including verdelho.