♦ 2013 Verdelho ♦

Wine: 100% Verdelho
Vineyard: Silvaspoons Vineyard
Appellation: Alta Mesa (Lodi)
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 194 cases




 

Verdelho most likely originated in Sicily and might have been introduced in the Fifteenth Century into the Madeira Islands east of Morocco. It later expanded into the Douro Valley of northern Portugal and then to the Anjou region in the Loire Valley of western France. Verdelho is the dominant white grape of Madeira wines. It is still found in the Douro Valley of Portugal and the Loire Valley of Western France.

The grapes for this wine are grown in the Alta Mesa region east of Lodi in California’s Central Valley. This is a great example of putting a variety in the appropriate climate. Verdelho comes from the warmer regions of Portugal and Spain and has terrific natural acidity even in these climates. The quality of California wine would be much benefited from more growers planting these climate-appropriate varieties in the Central Valley instead of trying to grow cooler-climate French varieties there.

This wine is a direct opposite of an oaky and buttery Chardonnay. It was fermented and stored without any active oak and has a lively acidity that allows it to go great with many foods. It is crispy and lively with aromas and flavors of ripe peaches, white nectarines, apricots, honeydew melon, citrus peel and even a touch of lilac and other flowers.

You can enjoy this as an aperitif or with seafood or rich white sauces.