Verdelho
| Verdelho | |
|---|---|
| Grape (Vitis) | |
 Verdelho in Viala & Vermorel | |
| Color of berry skin | Blanc |
| Species | Vitis vinifera |
| Origin | Portugal |
| VIVC number | 12953 |
Verdelho is a white wine grape grown throughout Portugal, though most associated with the island of Madeira, and also gives its name to one of the four main types of Madeira wine. At the turn of the 20th century it was the most widely planted white grape in Madeira.[1]
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 was not previously required. [2]
The variety of Madeira wine known as Verdelho lies between those of
Other regions
Verdelho is one of the three traditional varieties grown on
The grape is also grown in the
Verdelho can also be found in Argentina, with at least one producer marketing a varietal called simply Verdelho.[5]
In Spain Verdelho is grown under the synonym Verdello. (Not be confused with the Italian grape Verdello).
The grape has been successful in the vineyards of
As one of the few heat-loving white grapes, Verdelho is well adapted to the California Sierra foothills. By the 1870s the grape was extensively grown in what is now Amador County. Currently Verdelho is grown in Amador and Solano counties, near Lodi, as well as one vineyard in Napa Valley. Approximately 200 acres in California are devoted to the grape. California Verdelho wines are noted for floral and citrus aromas.
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 to frost during the spring.[1]
Confusion with other grapes
Verdelho is often confused with
See also
- List of Port wine grapes
- List of Portuguese grape varieties
References
- ^ ISBN 1-85732-999-6
- ISBN 0-316-85726-2.
- ^ ISBN 0-15-100714-4
- ^ "Portugal's Pico Wine Region: Wine Heritage in the Azores Islands". 17 June 2009.
- ^ "Don Cristobal 1492". Don Cristobal. Retrieved 2007-06-23.