Vermentino is one of the exciting new white varietals 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.
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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.
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.
The wineries in the list below are using vermentino. If you know of any more plese add a comment in the box below.
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.
More food pairing ideas with Vermentino
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