Verduzzo - Sub-varieties and Relationship To Other Grapes

Sub-varieties and Relationship To Other Grapes

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. Verduzzo Giallo (also known as "yellow Verduzzo" or "Verduzzo Ramandolo") 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.

For many years ampelographers were unsure if the Verduzzo Trevigiano grape, which appeared in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia in the 20th century, was related to Verduzzo Friulano. The two varieties were often planted together with the Trevigiano variety producing higher yields but less aromatic and flavorful wine. DNA profiling conducted in 2010 and 2011 using simple sequence repeats (SSRs) on over 1005 Vitis vinifera varieties concluded definitively that the Trevigiano and Friulano varieties of Verduzzo were two distinct grape varieties. The same research also proved that the Verduzzo planted in the Ramandolo region near Nimis, known locally as Verduzzo Ramandolo was identical to the Verduzzo Friulano planted elsewhere.