Vermentino [ver-mehn-TEE-noh]
A white-wine grape thought to be related to Malvasia and to a variety grown in Italy’s Piedmont known as Favorita. Vermentino is most often associated with the French island of Corsica. However, it’s also grown on the neighboring Italian island Sardinia and on Italy’s mainland in the Liguria region. On Corsica, Vermentino is usually blended with Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano). Corsica’s best wines, however, are made with 100 percent Vermentino grapes and are deep-colored, fruity, and full-bodied (see body). In Liguria, where Vermentino is DOC classified as Riviera Ligure di Ponente, the wines are lighter and crisper than the Corsican versions. Sardinian renditions, which are classified as Vermentino di Gallura DOCG and Vermentino di Sardegna DOC, are similar to those from Liguria, but not as acidic. Vermentino, known in France as Rolle, is also called Varresana Bianca and Vennentino.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.