The Verduzzo
Grape
A white grape variety native to northeastern Italy, particularly Friuli-Venezia Giulia. It is used to produce both dry and sweet wines, with the sweet versions (often labeled as Verduzzo Friulano) showcasing flavors of honey, apricot, and nuts, benefiting from botrytis cinerea ("noble rot") in some cases for added complexity.
Verduzzo
Grape History
Verduzzo is a fascinating wine grape variety that has a long and storied history in the world of winemaking. Believed to have originated in Italy, specifically in the Northeastern Veneto region, Verduzzo has been cultivated for centuries, with records dating back to the Middle Ages.
This grape variety is known for its thick skins and high sugar content, making it ideal for producing sweet wines, though it can also make dry and sparkling wines. Verduzzo is characterized by its golden-yellow color and aromatic profile, which often includes notes of honey, apricot, and almonds.
Verduzzo is primarily grown in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto regions of Italy, where it is used to make a variety of wines, including the renowned Passito di Verduzzo, a sweet wine made from dried grapes. In recent years, Verduzzo has also been gaining popularity in other parts of the world, such as Australia, where winemakers are experimenting with this versatile grape variety.
One interesting fact about Verduzzo is its susceptibility to noble rot, a beneficial mold that can concentrate the sugars in the grapes, leading to even sweeter and more complex wines. This natural occurrence adds a unique character to the wines made from Verduzzo grapes.
In terms of future prospects, Verduzzo is poised to continue growing in popularity as consumers seek out new and interesting wine varieties. Its ability to produce a range of wine styles, from dry to sweet, makes it a versatile grape for winemakers to work with. Additionally, the rise of natural winemaking practices and a renewed interest in indigenous grape varieties bodes well for Verduzzo's future success.
Overall, Verduzzo is a grape variety with a rich history and promising future, offering wine lovers a unique and flavorful drinking experience. Whether enjoyed on its own or as part of a blend, wines made from Verduzzo are sure to delight with their complex aromas and flavors.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel