Wine Grape: Vermentino
Vermentino's origins aren't entirely certain, but the wine grape likely comes from the Spanish Pyrenees, brought to Italy by way of Corsica under the Spanish domination of the late 1300s. Others claim Vermentino to be native Italian, going back to Sardinia in the 1300s.
Today, the grape is most important in Italy's Liguria, Tuscany, and Sardinia regions. In France, it is the most widely grown white grape in Corsica. In Sardinia too, it represents some 64% of all land dedicated to grapes. Recent studies have shown that Vermentino is essentially the same as Pigato and Favorita. Pigato is widely grown in Liguria, and Favorita appears in Piedmont's Langhe DOC.
Synonyms
Also known as Carbesso, Carbes, Favorita, Formentino, Malvasia à Gros Grains, Malvasia Grossa, Malvasie du Dourc, Pigato, Piccabon, Uva Sapaiola, Verlantin, Vermentinu
Where
France: Corsica, Languedoc, Rhône, Roussillon
Italy: Liguria, Sardinia, Tuscany, Umbria
Principal Wines
France: Corsica: Ajaccio AOC, Patrimonio AOC; Languedoc: Corbières AOC, Minervois AOC; Rhône: Coteaux-de-Pierrevert AOC, Côtes-du-Luberon AOC; Roussillon: Banyuls AOC, Banyuls Grand Cru AOC, Côtes-du-Roussillon AOC, Maury AOC, Rivesaltes AOC
Italy: Liguria: Colli di Luni DOC, Volline di Levanto DOC, Golfo del Tigullio DOC, Riviera Ligure di Ponente DOC, Val Polcèvera DOC; Tuscany: Bolgheri DOC, Candia dei Colli Apuani DOC, Capalbio DOC, Colline Lucchesi DOC, Elba DOC, Montecarlo DOC, Montecucco DOC, Monteregio di Massa Marittima DOC, Montescudaio DOC, Terratico di Bibbona DOC, Val di Cornia DOC; Umbria: Colli del Trasimeno or Trasimeno DOC; Sardegna: Vermentino di Gallura DOCG, Alghero DOC, Vermentino di Sardegna DOC
Characteristics
Color: Straw yellow with green hues
Nose: Fruity (lemon, hazelnut), Vegetal, Mineral
Palate: Crisp and savory balanced with softness and good alcohol. Medium body and a slightly bitter finish.
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