The Wine Reference🍷 SupportVerdelho grape
Verdelho is a white grape known for citrus, tropical, honey. Its best-known homes are Madeira, Australia.
Origin and history
A Portuguese grape most closely associated with the island of Madeira, where it has been grown for centuries; also traditional in the Azores.
Where it grows
Madeira and the Azores (Pico), plus Australia (Hunter Valley, Western Australia, Langhorne Creek), and small amounts in mainland Portugal and Spain.
Structure
Medium to full body with high acidity; dry or off-dry as table wine, medium-dry when made as fortified Madeira.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: lime, lemon, pineapple, guava and honeysuckle. With age, especially as Madeira: honey, caramel, dried fruit, nuts and smoke.
Ageing
Table wine 2–5 years; Verdelho Madeira can last 50 years or more.
Also known as
Verdelho Branco. Not the same as Spain's Verdejo.
Good to know
It is one of Madeira's four noble grapes, giving the medium-dry style between dry Sercial and sweeter Bual and Malmsey.
Verdelho wines to try
Real bottles from The Wine Library.
Quinta da Fonte Souto Branco
Symington's Alentejo white from Portalegre: fresh and mineral.
Food: Pork, fish
Tyrrell's Old Winery Verdelho
Hunter Valley · Verdelho
Tropical, juicy Hunter Valley Verdelho.
Food: Spicy food, salads
Similar white grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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