Vermentino grape variety and wines

This wine variety is one of the most exciting new introductions into Australia. While Albarino is being talked up in some circles I rate this variety higher. In fact I think some Vermentino wines rate among the best wines of 2007

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 known as Malviose of Corsica.

George Biron's Roast Pork with Quinces and Myrtle to pair with Vermentino

Some authorities believe that it was imported into these regions from Spain. It is becoming increasingly popular under the name of Rolle Provence and in the Languedoc-Roussillon Wine Region in Southern France.

Vermentino is being talked up by a handful of enthusiasts in Australia, where a few vineyards are just coming into production. In the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show in 2005 the Murray Darling Collection's wine 'A Murray Cod Called Bruce' won a gold medal. More recently at the AAVWS in 2007 Brown Brothers received a Gold for their 2007 Vermentino.

The wines produced from Vermentino have good body and acidity. At best they are strikingly aromatic... almost as distinctive as say Gewurztraminer, but with a completely different fragrance. If the grapes are allowed to ripen fully the acidity drops away, but with care very good crisp, dry white wines can be made.

The next couple of years will see if the high expectations for this variety are met. Judging by what I have tasted during the past couple of years I suspect they will. The closest variety to compare with Vermentino is probably Viognier, but the former beats any white wine I have tasted for its sheer power and assertiveness.

Australian Wineries using this variety include

• Aldinga Bay McLaren Vale
• Boyntons Feathertop Alpine Valleys
• Brown Brothers King Valley
• Cobaw Ridge Macedon Ranges
• Di Lusso Estate Mudgee
• Halifax McLaren Vale
• Mansfield Wines Mudgee
• Murray Darling Collection Murray Darling
• Parish Hill Wines Adelaide Hills
• Pasut Family Wines Murray Darling
• Rimfire Vineyards Darling Downs
• Spinifex Barossa Valley
• Trentham Estate Murray Darling
• Zontes Footstep Langhorne Creek

Have you tried a good Vermentino?
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Food Pairing with Vermentino

Vermentino wines are robust and can be enjoyed with a variety of well flavoured foods.

My good friend Geoge Biron of Sunnybrae Restaurant (Reopening in May 2008) has published a great recipe for Roast Pork with Quinces and Myrtle See the photo at 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 Darbys 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.

More food pairing ideas with Vermentino