the little pig verdelho is a fortified wine that we have made for many years here at piggs peake.

in simple terms, it’s effectively verdelho grape juice that we have allowed to ferment for one day before we have added enough brandy to take the wine up to 18% alcohol.

18% is the magic number at which alcohol becomes toxic to yeast and bacteria, so the sugars are prevented from fermenting and the end result is sweet, high alcohol wine that we then age in oak for many years until it thickens and becomes richer.

this warming style is well suited to winter sipping or being served chilled in summer.