What's your favourite Aussie Verdelho? Do you drink much? Why not?
I was reminded of this delicious grape a few weeks ago when my Father rocked up with a Peterson's Mudgee Verdelho. A tick over $20 and my was it a well balanced wine. It went beautifully with an Antipasto meal.
Gosh, I haven't had an Australian Verdelho for what seems ages. None available here as far I know, so probably not since my last visit to Sydney when it was most likely a Moondah Brook. I seem to recall reading that they were wines that could age pretty well.
Hunter Valley, Margaret River, Langhorn Creek, and Granite Belt are the places you're most likely to find them. They have a known reputation as age worthy wines, partly because the grape variety maintains its acidity no matter how ripe you get it on the vine.
I am going to test my Lindenman 2005 Hunter Verdelho. For Calgary, Canada it is a challenge as Mahmoud noted. But we do have some young Molley Dooker Verdelho here. How is it?
Funnily enough we enjoyed a Tyrrell's 2015 Hunter Valley Special Release Verdelho last night that friends brought around last night. First Verdelho for yonks. Really nice and not too sweet.
Carl
Your worst game of golf is better than your best day at work
Dang wrote:I am going to test my Lindenman 2005 Hunter Verdelho. For Calgary, Canada it is a challenge as Mahmoud noted. But we do have some young Molley Dooker Verdelho here. How is it?
Of course you do know that Calgary is to Edmonton as Melbourne is to Sydney?
I didn't know that Lindeman's made a Hunter Verdelho, that should be interesting. Now I've never tasted the Molly Dooker Verdelho, but the fact that it's over 15% alcohol is worrisome, unless of course it's a dessert wine.
I certainly know how far Edmonton is! It was the 2005 Lindenman Reserve Hunter Valley Verdelho, 13.5% alcohol with as I recall lots of very bitter grapefruit, slate and some very green apple and a dry finish (tasted 3 yrs ago). Looks like this last bottle could easily last another 3 yrs, so I will wait! Mollydooker wines tend to be a bit over the top in terms of alcohol so I will think twice about it. But the Violonist is a straight varietal, not a dessert wine.
Audrey Wilkinson 2014: 100% Hunter Verdelho. A delicious wine with lively acid but also with a lovely grapefruit pith character. Dries the mouth leaving you begging for more. The other interesting characteristic I found on this wine was the slight hint (nose and palate) of lanolin. A slight nod to Hunter Semillon.
Thanks Sean for the info. Unfortunately here in Canada we are under the mercy of the importer, so I am lucky to have found what I have. As a matter of interest I have also found two Cortese from the Lost Valley vinery (2006 and 2007), the only Cortese from Oz.
As others have mentioned the Talijancich Aged Verdelho from the Swan Valley is pretty good. However when I lived in Perth and worked for VC's the best verdelho in my opinion was from Chestnut Grove which is in Manjimup, about 250 km South of Perth. I haven't had one for several years but according to their website they still produce it.
Lost Valley winery is in Upper Goulburn. They are supposed to export their stuff to Canada among other places! I did find another verdelho in Calgary the other day: McLaren Vale 2012 made by Sister's run wines. A bit reserved but quite elegant with lemon flavoured with a wisp of stone fruit. Those from Swan Valley will most likely never make it here.
