Hope Estate Verdelho

Wine information: Hope Estate was established in 1994 when Michael Hope gave up his pharmacy career to do something he loved – to make wine. The winery, adjoining the new Fordwich vineyard, was purchased in 1996 and occupies the site of the former Saxonvale Winery which lay dormant for a number of years. Renamed the Hill of Hope, after years of standing as en empty shell, the winery once again became operational after having been refitted for his first vintage of Hope Estate in 1997. Taking a giant leap forward Michael acquired the Kyneton based Virgin Hills wine business in Victoria and the 45 acre Donnybrook vineyard in Western Australia in 2000. All wine from these interstate vineyards being bottled, warehoused and distributed from his Hunter Valley headquarters at Broke. Since then he’s built one of the Hunter’s most successful family owned wineries. Verdelho, which is originally a Portuguese grape variety, was first planted in Australia for making fortified wines. Nowadays it makes some fantastic table wines. Hope Estate Verdelho is fermented in stainless steel vats and is an unoaked, dry wine. It makes a great alternative to Chardonnay. Michael Hope’s Notes, "A zippy little number, our verdelho shows bright tropical characters. While completely unoaked, it has a beautifully rich mid palate with plenty of flavour."

Tasting Notes: Hope Estate Verdelho is a pale to light straw colour with light green tinge. Notes of fresh herb complement lifted tropical fruit and floral tones. Tropical fruit salad with the creamy texture of lychees (imparted by the barrel fermentation) is the foundation of this intriguing wine. The palate is lifted and finishes cleanly with lengthy lime nuances. Use of 5% American oak has created a warmth and length to our Verdelho. Traditional tank fermentation has encouraged the development of the tropical fruit flavours.

Food & Wine match: The sweet fruit of our Verdelho cuts through right through spicy heat. It is a great food match with oriental noodles, fruity pork dishes, and seafood.

 
     

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