Verduzzo
[5] Verduzzo has a long history in northeast Italy with the first written record of the grape dating back to June 6, 1409, in a listing of wines served at a banquet in Cividale del Friuli in honor of Pope Gregory XII.
[6][7][8] The Verduzzo vine tends to thrive on hillside vineyard locations that have good exposure to the sun which gives this mid to late-ripening variety ample time to achieve full physiological ripeness.
The majority of these plantings were found in the eastern province of Udine in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, particularly around the communes of Nimis, Faedis, Torlano and Tarcento which have all had a long history associated with the grape.
It is also grown in the Collio Goriziano DOC zone, however, it is not a permitted variety and wines made from this grape are labeled as vino da tavola.
[1][9] In Ramandolo, the grape is mostly commonly found on the steep hills that sit around 380 meters (1,250 feet) above sea level that circle the commune of Nimis.
[10] The Isonzo DOC also produces a late-harvest white blend labelled as Vendemmia Tardiva that can feature Verduzzo along with Friulano, Pinot bianco and Chardonnay.
Verduzzo harvested at slightly higher yields (up to 14 tonnes/ha) and with a lower alcohol level of at least 10.5% is permitted for use in the general DOC white blend.
In the Lison-Pramaggiore DOC both a still varietal and sparkling Spumante style Verduzzo can be produced if the grape accounts for at least 90% of the blend with a yield restriction of 13 tonnes/ha and minimum alcohol level of 11%.
[10] One of the most notable examples of Verduzzo is the 100% varietal wine made from this DOCG region located in the northern reaches of the Udine province in the hills above the town of Nimis.
This allows for a greater concentration of sugar which leaves a wine with noticeable residual sweetness even with the high minimum alcohol level of 14%.
[10] Wine expert Peter Saunders describes well made examples of Ramandolo from favorable vintages as fragrant, full-bodied, slightly tannic and not too sweet.
[6] As of December 21, 2012, Verduzzo was not an approved grape variety name permitted for use on American wine labels by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).
Clarke agrees with Jancis Robinson that well made examples have the potential to develop with age but believes that the wines tend to be at their best when "young and fresh".
One exception is the Verduzzo Rascie which produces looser clusters that are less likely to rot as it hangs longer on the vine, making its slightly better for late harvest wines.
