Variety
WhiteVerdelho
White variety of Portuguese origin, known from Madeira; in Australia it yields dry, tropically fruity wines with lively acidity.
Portrait
Verdelho is an old variety of Portuguese origin that became known mainly through Madeira wines, where it shapes one of the traditional white styles. In the Douro it is sometimes confused with Gouveio but is a separate variety. In Australia Verdelho is especially significant in the Hunter Valley, where Tulloch produced some of the first varietal Verdelhos in the 1970s.
The vine buds early, ripens early to mid-season and tolerates warmth well; it gives moderate yields and prefers well-drained soils. In Australia it is grown in Western Australia, especially the Swan Valley, in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales and in Queensland. The wines are mostly dry, with lively acidity, tropical fruit notes and citrus; they are drunk young but can also mature for a few years.
Verdelho goes with seafood, salads, poultry and mildly spiced, fruit-led cooking.
Taste profile
Six axes — acidity, sweetness, body, tannin, aroma intensity and depth — on a 0–5 scale, based on typical style. Real wines vary by region and producer.
Typical aromas — Verdelho
These 6 aromas typically define Verdelho. Actual taste experience varies by region and style.
Lime
Guava
Pineapple
Passion fruit
Citrus peel
Grass
Verdelho aroma families
These aroma categories are characteristic of Verdelho. Other varieties have different focuses.
Fruit aromas are the most common and come directly from the grape, ranging from citrus through stone fruit to black berries.
Herbal aromas can be finely aromatic (sage) or grassy – a stylistic feature in some varieties, ripeness indicator in others.
Key regions
Verdelho is grown in the following regions of our atlas. Click to see wineries.
Wineries with Verdelho
2 curated profiles in our atlas grow Verdelho.
2 wineries
