Vermentino

The History of the Vermentino Grape Variety

No one knows its origin since growers around the Mediterranean Basin have favoured it for centuries. The grape goes by different names, including Pigato in Liguria, Favorita in Piedmont and Rolle in Southern France.

Evidence suggests the grape arrived on the Mediterranean Coast from the Middle East during the ancient Greek expansion. In contrast, others suggest it came from Spain centuries later, in the 14th century, when Spain dominated the largest Mediterranean Islands, now part of Italy and France.

DNA profiling has helped the scientific community discover that many white grapes grown around Europe are, in fact, Vermentino, while more research is needed to uncover the grape’s many mysteries. It has at least two dozen names, proving this is one of the most ancient grapes in the Mediterranean wine-growing regions.

Wine Regions

For France, Vermentino is generally a southern-grown grape. It is the most planted white grape on Corse, where it’s often labelled as Vin de Corse AOP and Patrimonio AOP. These wines are not dissimilar to the Italian versions made in Sardegna. Vermentino is also one of the allowed wine grapes for the production of rosé in Provence. The grape is also featured in Bellet AOP for white wine. Producers in Southern France can also make wines with Vermentino, often under the Vin de Pays d’Oc IGP. These wines are approachable and fair value alternatives.

In Italy, the grape is predominately used in the Liguria, Tuscany and Sardegna regions. Liguria is home to several appellations specialising in the Mediterranean white grape. Colli di Luni is a significant source for Vermentino, where it’s called Pigato. Cinque Terre is also a reliable source for the white grape, whether it’s vinified to dryness or used to make sweet passito wines. Although not the most common white grape in Tuscany, Vermentino has grown in popularity in the Italian region, mainly in the coastal appellations near Bolgheri. These are some of the boldest expressions of the grape. Vermentino is the leading white grape on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, and it’s often labelled under the appellations Vermentino di Sardegna and Vermentino di Gallura.

Vermentino has shown promise in the new world as well, and it is now grown in Australia, California and South Africa successfully.

Wine Styles & Tasting Notes

Vermentino is a noble varietal with deep traditions around the Mediterranean shores and islands. This means the grape plays a role in several wine styles, all worth trying. These are the most typical wines made with Vermentino.

Dry White Vermentino - The most common wine style made with Vermentino is a dry, stainless steel-fermented white wine with citrus acidity, minerality, fruit-forwardness and hints of herbs.

Vermentino Superiore - A few Italian wine regions specialising in Vermentino, particularly Sardinia, can produce a more refined wine with riper grapes. These wines have more alcohol, concentration and complexity compared to regular Vermentino.

Vermentino Passito - If the grape growers allow the grapes to dry and lose moisture, the result is a sweet wine with a complex nose and an attractively balanced palate. These are dessert wines in their own right.

Sparkling Vermentino - Only the crispest wine grapes are suitable for producing fine sparkling wine, and Vermentino checks all the right boxes. Although rare, sparkling wine made with Vermentino exists, and it’s elegant and refreshing.

Rosé - Using white grapes in rosé production is not uncommon in Provence, France — the source of the most elegant rosé in the world. Here, Vermentino, by the name of Rolle, plays its role, along with Grenache, Tibouren, Syrah and others, to produce spectacular dry rosé.

Food Pairings

Vermentino is a late-ripening, thin-skinned grape, producing wine in all styles. Of course, the most typical wines made with the grape are fermented to dryness in stainless steel vats, creating a crisp wine style with great versatility on the table.

It pairs well with white fish, including halibut, cod, sole and flounder. Vermentino is also citrusy enough to contrast the fatty richness in oily fish, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines and eel.

It has a natural affinity for vegetarian dishes, from stir-fries to tossed noodles, and can contrast the sweetness in fruit salads. Any vegetable dish benefits from Vermentino’s citrusy acidity. The grape can even counter vinegar-based dressings.

Shellfish, including shrimp, crab, prawns and lobster, shine when paired with Vermentino, and the same goes for grilled octopus, oysters and mussels. It’s easy to see why Vermentino is one of the best alternatives for Mediterranean cooking, where fresh ingredients and seafood play a significant role.

Finally, the tart palate can balance oily food, including deep-fried fish fillets, breaded shrimp and calamari. Vermentino is enjoyable on its own and a delightful spring or summer sipper. This is a fantastic aperitif to whet your appetite.

Vermentino, The Mediterranean Spirit

It is one of the finest white grapes in the Mediterranean basin, and it can make you feel the warm sea breeze thanks to its freshness and fruit-forwardness.

For crisp white wines with uncomplicated but pleasing profiles, few grapes match it, and, since the French-Italian grape is still relatively unknown in the international wine scene, it’s always well priced. Explore the different expressions of Vermentino and add the noble varietal to your wine rotation. You’ll find in the grape the perfect summer sipper and an excellent companion at the table. Vermentino is all that and more.