Winemaker Notes
Super bright, upfront acidity – lemon lime tang – is what pops from the glass, instantly putting you in the thirst quenching zone. The mid-palate is where the texture and length comes in, nashi pear and green apple pops against orange peel breadth and juicy, creamy mouthfeel. The acid ties it all together and gives length, enhanced by the classic Vermentino briney, sea spray haze. As always, chargrill those sardines and enjoy in the sunshine.
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.