Winemaker Notes
A wine all about layers, complexity and energy. The citrusy nature of Vermentino shows itself here in an intense, pithy, lemon sorbet like tang. But it’s the savory elements that cut through this and provide the real interest – briney and saline, the crunchy tannins are balanced by the hint of oak, so while complex, it provides mean drinkability and screams for fresh, oily fish over red hot coals.
A fantastic, aromatic white grape that grows with great success in Sardinia, Tuscany and in lesser proportions on the island of Corsica. Somm Secret—Vermentino is thought to be genetically identical to Liguria’s Pigato grape and Peidmont’s Favorita. It comprises a large proportion of the whites in southern France where it is called Rolle.
Quite the powerhouse region thanks to its proximity to the Murray River (and thus irrigation potential), Riverland produces over half of South Australia’s total annual harvest. While its warm Mediterranean climate promotes large volume production, many smaller, premium producers abound. Australia’s usual suspects—Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet—do great but a continuing local push for heat-loving Italian varieties like Vermentino and Nero d’Avola promises future diversity.