Vermentino grape variety and wines
Vermentino is one of the exciting new white varieties from Southern Italy that are making an impression on the wine scene in Australia. Vermentino is an aromatic white wine variety whose native habitat is now the Italian region of Liguria and the Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Corsica where it is also known as Malviose of Corsica. It is also becoming increasingly popular under the name of Rolle in Provence and in the Languedoc-Roussillon Wine Region in Southern France.
Other synonyms include Piccobon, Uva Sapaiola, Vermentino Bianco, Formentino (Italy); Carbesso. Carbes, Brustiano di Corsica, Malvasia Grossa, Malvasie Precoce d’Espagne, Malvasie à Gros Grains.
George Biron's Roast Pork with Quinces and Myrtle to pair with Vermentino |
Since the turn of the century more Australian wineries, especially on the mild to warm Australian regions are turning to Vermentino.
The variety has the ability to produce wines with firm acidity and good flavour even under the hot conditions experienced in some recent vintages.
One indication of it's growing importance is that at the 2009 Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show in the organisers set up a class for Vermentino to be judged separately. Previously it was in the "other whites" class.
My expectation is that this variety will play a prominent role in wine areas that are too warm to produce quality wine from Chardonnay.
Vermentino Wine in Australia
The wineries in the list below are using the Vermentino grape variety. If you know of any more please add a comment in the box below.
This list is growing steadily as is the number of Australian winelovers who are discovering the delights of this superb white wine variety.
Food Pairing with Vermentino
Vermentino wines are robust and can be enjoyed with a variety of well flavoured foods.
My good friend George Biron of Sunnybrae Restaurant at Birregurra near Geelong has published a great recipe for Roast Pork with Quinces and Myrtle See the photo above. If you were to enjoy this dish with a white wine then Vermentino would be my first choice.
You could also enjoy this variety with Darby's famous tapenade, an antipasto platter or strongly flavoured seafood dishes.
More broadly you can choose any of the foods of the Western Mediterranean, including Italian, Provencal or Catalan.
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