Vermentino: Wine Regions, Taste, 8 Best Bottles To Buy (2024)

Hailing from the breathtaking mountains of Sardinia, the Vermentino white wine grape is known for producing delicious and complex wines that taste similar to Sauvignon Blanc.

Which are the famous Vermentino wine regions? Which bottles should you buy in 2024?

Let’s dive into the world of Vermentino wine and discover its history, wine regions, taste profile, food pairing ideas, and the top 8 Vermentino wines to buy in 2024.

You’ll also discover an easy way to build a wine collection!

A Quick Intro to Vermentino

Vermentino is a light-skinned grape that produces elegant, tangy white wine. 

It is primarily grown in the western Mediterranean region, especially northwestern Italy and southern France. It goes by various synonyms - Pigato in Liguria, Favorita in Piedmont, and Rolle in Provence. 

Although it’s grown in several countries around the Mediterranean, it finds it’s best expression in Liguria and the island of Sardinia. The most famous Vermentino wines are Vermentino di Gallura DOCG and the Vermentino di Gallura Superiore.

But, there’s a lot of uncertainty regarding the origins of the Vermentino grape. 

So, let’s go back a few centuries.

A Brief History of Vermentino

There have been many theories around the origin of this grape variety. 

One theory suggests that the Vermentino grape varietal originated in Anatolia (a large peninsula in western Asia) and made its way to the Middle East. From there, the Greeks took it to the Mediterranean.

A widely accepted theory is that the Vermentino grape variety originated in Spain around the 14th century BC. From there, it traveled to Corsica, Sardinia (Sardegna), the Tuscan coast (Maremma), and finally arrived in Liguria.

Based on this theory, Vermentino di Gallura arrived in Sardinia in the early 1900s. By 1975, Vermentino di Gallura received a DOC status. It was later certified as a DOCG appellation in 1996.

Through the decades, the grape variety spread to the rest of Europe and the USA.

Recently, in 2014, its first-ever vine was planted in South Africa, and the first official vine harvest took place in 2016.

Today, the Vermentino grape varietal is grown across the globe.

Vermentino Wine Regions

Let’s take a look at all the well-known Vermentino wine regions from across the globe.

A. Italy

In Italy, the Vermentino grape varietal is grown in these regions:

• Gallura:The wines from this region have a consistent texture and an elegant, balanced structure.
• Liguria: The wines of Liguria are characterized by a perfectly balanced body with moderate, refreshing acidity.
• Piedmont: Piedmont’s Vermentino wines are soft, well-structured, and fruity. They also have persistent aromas of sage and hawthorn.
• Sardinia (Sardegna): This grape loves the terroir of Sardinia, making it the most important Vermentino wine region of Italy. The region’s top appellations are Vermentino di Sardegna and Vermentino di Gallura that produce highly acidic wines with a brilliant freshness.
• Tuscany (Toscana): This region produces medium-bodied, fresh, and light wines with a solid core of supple fruit.

B. France

Vermentino is primarily grown in southern France in the following appellations:

• Provence: In Provence, Vermentino is known as Rolle. The region produces exquisite rose wines marked by a unique freshness and lean minerality. 
• Languedoc-Roussillon: The wines from this region are full-bodied with notes of lilac flowers and aromas of pear and star anise.
• Corsica: This region produces remarkable Vermentino wines (called Vermentinu) characterized by subtle smokiness, high acidity, and lean minerality.

C. USA

Here are the most popular Vermentino wine regions in the US:

• California: Wines from this region have crisp acidity and notes of citrus fruit. A well-known Californian vineyard that grows the Vermentino grape varietal is the Tablas Creek Vineyard.
• Texas: This region produces wines that have light citrus notes and a clean, light aroma.

D. Other Vermentino Wine Regions

Vermentino is also grown in:

• Australia: Wines from this region have crisp acidity and provide aromas of tropical fruit combined with hints of pear and citrus.
• South Africa: Vermentino from this region is dry and has an oily character with rocky minerality and saltiness. 

Wondering what Vermentino wine tastes like?

Vermentino Wine Taste and Aroma Profile

Vermentino wine has a pale straw color with crisp acidity and a pronounced minerality. Its flavor depends on the terroir where the grape is grown and how the wine is crafted.

The Vermentino grape grown along the coast usually produces wine with a flavor of green apple and lime, refreshing acidity, good richness, and a medium body. 

Meanwhile, the warm-climate Vermentino grape produces aromatic wines with lime, grapefruit, and tropical fruit aromas.

Depending on the winemaking technique used when crafting Vermentino, this wine can be richer and creamier or lighter and zestier with floral notes.

Some winemakers produce richer and fuller wines by performing fermentation twice. 

The first fermentation takes place in a stainless steel tank. The second malolactic fermentation occurs in oak barrels to convert the harsh malic acid to creamier lactic acid.

Wines Similar to Vermentino

Take a look at some wines that share its taste profile:

• Sauvignon Blanc
• Albariño
• Grüner Veltliner
• Semillon
• Soave
• Verdejo

What dishes can you pair Vermentino wine with?

Food Pairing With Vermentino

Vermentino’s crispness and oily character make it a perfect wine to pair with fresh seafood, grilled Mediterranean vegetables, and dishes that comprise pesto, rich spices, and herbs.

Vermentino is also a great wine to pair with grilled fish, chicken tacos, fried mussels, and fennel-spiced pork sausages.

Let’s now take a look at the best Vermentino wines you should get your hands on.

Best Vermentino Wines To Buy In 2024 (Including Tasting Notes, Pricing)

Here are the 8 best Vermentino wine bottles you should try.

1. 2012 Capichera Santigaini Vermentino Isola dei Nuraghi IGT, Sardinia, Italy

This Sardinia Vermentino has a pale straw yellow color and a white flower aroma with a yellow apple and pink grapefruit flavor. This wine offers a fruity and persistent finish.

Price of the 2012 Capichera Santigaini Vermentino Isola dei Nuraghi IGT, Sardinia, Italy: $145

2. 2015 Capichera VT Vendemmia Tardiva Isola dei Nuraghi IGT, Sardinia, Italy

This Sardinia Vermentino wine has complex notes of honey, orange blossom, aromatic herbs, and ripe white fruit. It’s marked by great freshness and solid acidity.

Price of the 2015 Capichera VT Vendemmia Tardiva Isola dei Nuraghi IGT, Sardinia, Italy: $61

3. 2012 Podere Grattamacco Vermentino Bolgheri Bianco, Tuscany, Italy

This Italian wine is crafted by the Podere Grattamacco winery situated near the Guado al Tasso estate, in Bolgheri. It has floral notes, with hints of lime, white peach, pear, pink grapefruit, and tropical fruit such as pineapple.

Price of the 2012 Podere Grattamacco Vermentino Bolgheri Bianco, Tuscany, Italy: $62

4. 2016 Cantine Lunae Bosoni Numero Chiuso Vermentino Colli di Luni, Liguria, Italy

This white wine has a rich straw yellow color with golden reflections. It has floral notes and an aroma of white peach. It’s a perfectly balanced Italian wine with moderate, refreshing acidity.

Price of the 2016 Cantine Lunae Bosoni Numero Chiuso Vermentino Colli di Luni, Liguria, Italy: $68

5. 2016 Capichera Vermentino Isola dei Nuraghi IGT, Sardinia, Italy

This Sardinia Vermentino white wine has white flower notes with hints of tropical fruit such as pineapple or mango. On the palate, it’s fruity and offers a long, persistent finish.

Price of the 2016 Capichera Vermentino Isola dei Nuraghi IGT, Sardinia, Italy: $58

6. 2019 Clos Signadore Patrimonio A Mandria di Signadore Blanc, Corsica, France

This white wine has notes of citrus fruit, grapefruit, pear, and white peach. On the palate, it brings a beautiful balance between the citrus fruit and mineral notes.

Price 2019 Clos Signadore Patrimonio A Mandria di Signadore Blanc, Corsica, France: $69

7. 2007 Cantine Argiolas Cerdena Bianco Isola dei Nuraghi IGT, Sardinia, Italy

This is a bold, dry Italian wine of crisp acidity. It has notes of honey, tropical fruit (mostly pineapple), apricot, green apple, and citrus fruit.

Price of the 2007 Cantine Argiolas Cerdena Bianco Isola dei Nuraghi IGT, Sardinia, Italy: $112

8. 2015 Clos Canarelli Corse Figari 'Amphora' Blanc, Corsica, France

This bronze wine has yellow fruit, citrus, and white flower notes. On the palate, it offers moderate, refreshing acidity and a long finish.

Price of the 2015 Clos Canarelli Corse Figari 'Amphora' Blanc, Corsica, France: $94

Does Vermentino Wine Age Well?

Even though some Jankara and Gallura Vermentino wines have a decade-long cellaring potential, most last for three to seven years.

They’re best to drink young.

But, if you’re a wine enthusiast looking to invest in fine wines, you might want to look into investment-worthy alternatives like the Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Pontet Canet, Château Lafite Rothschild, and other top brands.

But, what’s the best way to select the finest wines from around the world? 

Also, how would you know that you’re buying an authentic bottle at the best price?

Here’s how:

Invest in Fine Wines Through Vinovest

Vinovest is a leadingwine investment company that lets you buy the best wine from anywhere around the globe. It also helps you store and sell investment-grade wines effortlessly. 

Vinovest also delivers your wine straight to your doorstep if you wish to try it!

How Does it Work?

To get started, you need to follow these simple steps:

1. Sign up on the Vinovest platform.
2. Share your risk appetite and investment preferences by completing a small questionnaire.
3. Fund your account with a minimum of $1,000.
4. Add the finest wines to your portfolio. 
5. Sip a glass of Vermentino di Sardegna white wine while you watch your portfolio grow!

Benefits

Here are the top reasons why you should invest through Vinovest:

1. Low Overall Costs

Vinovest only charges you a minimal yearly fee of 2.85% (or 2.5% for a portfolio of $50,000+.) This covers wine storing, buying, selling, fraud detection, portfolio management, and more.

2. Excellent Prices

Vinovest sources fine wines directly from trusted wineries, wine exchanges, and global wine auctions, allowing you to buy your favorite collectible wines at wholesale prices.

3. Convenient AI-Driven Platform

Vinovest’s advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform makes it hassle-free for you to buy and sell fine wine from all over the world.

4. Provenance and Authenticity 

Vinovest traces your wine’s provenance and guarantees its authenticity before you add it to your portfolio.

5. Curated and Monitored Portfolio

Vinovest’s team of Master Sommeliers curates and monitors your portfolio using intelligent, AI-driven investment models.

6. Optimal Storage 

Vinovest stores your fine, collectible wines in temperature-controlled bonded warehouses with perfect light, humidity, and vibration levels.

7. Security and Comprehensive Insurance

Vinovest constantly monitors wines using surveillance cameras.

You don’t even have to worry about theft or damage - Vinovest offers full insurance coverage for the wine bottles you buy through the platform.

8. Easy Delivery

Vinovest will deliver your wine straight to your (or your buyer’s) door - anywhere in the world.

Enjoy a Glass of Vermentino While Building Your Wine Portfolio!

Vermentino is a great wine that pairs perfectly with grilled fish and your other favorite dishes - almost like a luxurious Sauvignon Blanc. 

However, Vermentino is not a perfect wine when it comes to investment.

If you want to invest in fine wines, there are other prestigious, age-worthy alternatives like the Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon and plenty more.

So, sign up with Vinovest and start investing in the world’s finest wines now.