Pizzini Verduzzo – winemusing
Who makes it?
Pizzini Verduzzo is just one of the many Italian single varietal wines that the Pizzini family do very well. This is obviously one of their white grape varieties. Verduzzo is relatively rare in Australia. In saying that, it is relatively rare as a wine even in its homeland, Italy.
Two of the red grapes that Pizzini are well known for are Sangiovese and Nebbiolo. The family were amongst the first vineyards, after McLaren Vale’s Coriole, to plant Sangiovese in the 1980s. Undoubtedly though, Nebbiolo from Pizzini is an excellent Australian expression of the grape too. Particularly the Pizzini Coronamento Nebbiolo which is outstanding, and again, well worth cellaring.
The Pizzini Verduzzo is part of the King Valley Craft wine range. This range explores the grapes that the King Valley in Australia does well.
If you would like to read more about the grape variety, please read The veritable story of Viognier, Vermentino and Verduzzo!
I can still remember visiting them for the first time well over a decade ago. I first wrote about the family in 2011 after I discovered the King Valley winery cellar door for myself on a family trip : Part 2: Where wine is King! Wine and food are family passions and the cellar door includes Katrina Pizzini’s cooking school. For those who cannot make it to a cooking lesson, here is her excellent recipe book. You can read about here: Pizzini – A Tavola!
How do they make it?
Pizzini Verduzzo is 100% Verduzzo. The ferment is in stainless steel tanks and in barrel with wild yeasts to begin with. As the ferment progresses, the winemaking team adds two more yeasts. This increases the complexity of the wine and makes sure that the wine ferments to dry.
For six months the wine rests on lees with some regular stirring. A portion of the wine spends about 3 months in French oak barrels and undergoes partial malolactic fermentation. This may be up to 50% of the wine.
To brush up on terms like barrel ferment, please read ‘Wine label terms you should know.’ To read more about lees, please read What are Lees?
What does it taste like?
This Verduzzo has it all. Herbs, spice, cream, floral notes, citrus, pear, and apricot. It is fuller in body and it is lightly nutty and creamy thanks to that barrel and lees work. The acid is fresh and it is soft. The wine finishes on a very fresh note with some ginger spice complementing those cream, grapefruit and apricot flavours that linger.
What to drink it with?
Unsurprising with the Pizzini family history, this is a wine with high foodability. Enjoy it with some traditional chicken and baked fish dishes. Even better with some toasted flaked almonds added. It also matches some lighter Asian dishes featuring chicken or pork.
Cheese
Drink this wine with semi hard cheeses or with some herb flavoured cheeses.
Quickie review « This is a great introduction to the Verduzzo grape variety. »
Country of Origin: King Valley, Australia
Tasting Date: January 2026
Price: UK £20 | AU$ 35
Drink: now – 3 years
Needs food: no
Source: tasting
If you like Australian oaked white wines, why not check out:
Yalumba Eden Valley Viognier
Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay
Payten & Jones Chardonnay
Visit pizzini for more.
