Vermentino is a noble white wine grape, and it certainly likes a good view; it grows on the Mediterranean coast in Southern France and the Italian mainland region of Liguria. Perhaps one of the most extraordinary, though, grows on the island of Sardinia — it is the region’s signature white grape.
This refreshing, crisp varietal renders thirst-quenching wine that’s just easy to love. Producers in the entire island can label their Vermentino as Vermentino di Sardegna, which is a popular DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata). Still, the finest Vermentino in Sardinia comes from Gallura, in the northeastern corner of the island. You’ll find it labeled as Vermentino di Gallura DOCG, and it’s the only DOCG (guaranteed DOC) on the region.
Wine made with Vermentino always has lovely acidity and an attractive bouquet of green apples and freshly picked flowers. It’s a wonderful match for the island’s seafood — clams, mussels and whitefish. The vibrant wine can also be the perfect partner for creamy sauces, making it incredibly versatile at the table.
There’s no one Vermentino but many. Although most Sardinian Vermentino is dry, there are sweeter versions, including a passito wine made with dried wine grapes. The boldest style is labeled as superiore and has intense flavors and a richer alcoholic warmth. There’s even bubbly frizzante Vermentino for your every celebration, so adding Vermentino to your cellar is an easy decision.
Vermentino di Sardegna can be a perfect substitution for other Italian white wines, including the Pinot Grigio, Frascati, Trebbiano and Soave. It can also come into play instead of international varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Un-oaked Chardonnay and Albariño. When it comes to Vermentino, the sky’s the limit! If you haven’t tried it yet, don’t wait! This is a lovely white wine that tastes just like the Mediterranean.
