Verduzzo is a white Italian wine grape grown predominantly in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of northeast Italy. It is also found in significant plantings in the Piave Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) of the Veneto region. The grape is used in varietal and blended wines, many of which fall under the vino da tavola designation, that range in style from dry to late harvest wines.[1]
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Verduzzo is permitted in 5 of the Friuli DOCs-Colli Orientali del Friuli, Friuli Aquileia, Grave, Isonzo, and Latisana as well as the overlapping Lison Pramaggiore DOC that is also located within the Veneto. Within the Colli Orientali del Friuli, the grape is used to make sweet wines in the Ramandolo DOC.[1]
Verduzzo has the potential to create a wide variety of wine styles with dry styles produced in larger quantities than the sweeter style. The sweeter styles do generate interest among wine drinkers, particularly the late harvest dessert wines and passito wine style made by drying the grape to near raisins. These sweet Verduzzos are medium bodied with a deep golden color and honeyed aromas. The drier styles have a lighter body and more astringency due to less balance of the grape's sugars with its tannin levels.[1]
Throughout Italy are several sub-varieties of Verduzzo that seem to be of mostly inferior quality to the Verduzzo Friulano grape but may offer other viticultural or economic benefits such as greater disease resistance and higher yields. 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. Ampelographers have not yet determined if the Verduzzo Trevigiano, which appeared in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia in the 20th century, is related to Verduzzo Friulano but the Trevigiano varieties does produce higher yields but less aromatic and flavorful wine. Verduzzo Giallo is one of the better sub-varieties and does well with the sweeter wine. Verduzzo Verde is a rare, lower quality sub variety that is mostly found in the plains region of the Friuli.[2]