The Verduzzo grape is an Italian grape variety which primarily thrives in the north-east regions of Friuli and Veneto. Cultivated for hundreds of years, these grapes have etched their identity as quintessentially Italian, used mainly in creating splendid dessert wines.
The Verduzzo grape appears in several forms, although the most widespread variant is Verduzzo Friulano. The grape clusters are small to medium in size, with yellow-green grapes that can achieve high sugar levels while maintaining a vibrant acidity. This renders the fruit ideal to undergo "appassimento", a process in which the harvested fruit is allowed to partially dry in well-ventilated areas to concentrate its sugar and flavours, leading to distinctive dessert wines. The Verduzzo grape is, however, also suitable for making crisp, dry white wines.
Verduzzo wine exhibits a lovely golden-yellow hue and a full-bodied mouthfeel, often redolent with the flavours of honey, almond, and ripe pear, occasionally accented by subtle bitter notes. Notably, the wine can exhibit floral and citrus aromas when served cold, adding an enjoyable complexity.
It traditionally pairs well with a myriad of desserts given its sweetness but can also balance rich dishes due to its acidity. It is also intriguingly versatile, as it can be enjoyed fresh to appreciate its vivacious acidity, or aged to savour the complexity of its evolving concentrated flavours.
The Verduzzo grape is an emblem of its home regions of Friuli and Veneto, encapsulating their viticultural history and traditions. The cultivation of these grapes asserts Italy’s dedication to maintaining its rich and diverse wine heritage. Although it is a lesser-known variety in comparison to other Italian delights like Prosecco or Pinot Grigio, the Verduzzo grape packs a distinctive punch that offers a gratifyingly unique tasting experience.
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