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Vermentino di Gallura
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Classification: DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita - Controlled and Guaranteed Denomination of Origin)
Color: white
Production zone: Sardinia
Minimum alcohol content: 12%
Varieties used: Vermentino (95-100%), other non-aromatic white-grape varieties (0-5%) |
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This is one of Sardinia's great wines, straw-yellow in color with subtle greenish reflections. It has a striking dry flavour and subtle nose that is delicate yet intense at the same time.
The variety used, which also lends the wine its name, is probably of Spanish origin and is cultivated with great success not only in Sardinia but also in Liguria and Corsica. Indeed it was from the French island of Corsica that the first Vermentino vines, known as barbatelle came centuries ago, to be planted in Gallura, an area of outstanding beauty that looks over the Maddalena archipelago. The growing number of tourists that flocked to the area in subsequent years helped raise the profile of this wine on the mainland too, so that what was once basically a local production became a fine wine now appreciated throughout Europe.
The variety has adapted splendidly to this northern strip of Sardinia and despite the strong winds and scarce rainfall, it has succeeded in giving its best. This is partly owing to loose soils (i.e. permeable, sandy) but also to a climate characterized by temperatures that are mild in winter and hot throughout the long Sardinian summer.
This combination of factors has also influenced vine growing techniques, favouring those that exploit the scant water resources available.
This wine is considered the ideal accompaniment to most fish dishes, and is particularly suitable with seafood and shellfish. Vermentino is also wonderful with spaghetti with botargo, dried tuna or mullet roe, and even lobsters caught in the sea off Sardinia, which are complimented by its full-bodied character.
Another reason for choosing Gallura for a holiday of sun, sea and good food, fitting in some Vermentino tasting in the wineries where it is actually produced. These are dotted across the northern part of the island and in recent years producers have invested significant resources in order to raise the quality of their production, their efforts rewarded with the DOCG appellation, the maximum recognition for an Italian wine.
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