Vermentino from Australia

An interesting discussion came up on our Ozwine group mailing list on the grape variety, Vermentino. I have just recently had the opportunity to try some vermentino, traditionally a variety from Liguria, Tuscany and Sardinia in Italy.

I have been sampling some Sardinian wine recently, one of which is a Vermentino di Gallura DOCG from the wine coop Giogantinu. The wine has 13% alcohol and is very soft and inviting, with a thickness on the palate which lets you know you’re drinking hot climate white wine.

I also recently tried a Vermentino from the Montecucco area of Tuscany. It turned up most surprisingly at a dinner I was at recently where French wine should have been the protagonist. Unfortunately I didn’t get the producer’s name, but this was a far more elegant, fresh and subtle example. Really worth a try.

The discussion in our Ozwine group came up with Australian vermentino examples, including Brown Brothers, Foxey's Hangout the White Fox Vermentino and Mudgee growers, Di Lusso, who specialise in Italian varieties (thanks to Ozwin-ers for the tips!).

All this comes down to the fact that after my explorations of Italian vermentino, I will have to try the Australian interpretation of Italian wine, and try some “true blue” vermentino when I’m home at Christmas. It could make for the perfect summer aperitif.

Growing your own vineyard in Tuscany - not always what you think

I just got back from a holiday at the Italian seaside in a place called Monte Argentario, in the south of Tuscany near Orbetello. We had a hotel with half board and I must say the wine included in the price was not bad at all - a local Vermentino. Seeing as we were eating mostly fish, we stuck to the white.

One fascinating thing about Monte Argentario were the villas constructed around the promontory, that attempted to block public access to the beaches below the cliff faces. On driving around one day and getting lost we finally parked where there were lots of cars and followed some people down to a beach. Afterwards, we decided it would be prudent to make a visit to the tourist office in Porto Santo Stefano and get ourselves a map.

Luckily the map came with instructions on how to reach some of the more remote beaches of the promontory. Invariably the instructions read "You arrive at the gate with a sign 'Private Property' - enter the gate and walk down the road until you get to the stairs that take you to the beach"...

Some of the villas around seemed lovely, complete with swimming pool for those who didn't want to enjoy their coastal location. I leave you with a picture of one of the few cliff top vineyards we saw; you can decide how and for who they produce their wine. I have a suspicion that it's all part and parcel of the villa in Tuscany requirements.