Don't stop Wining

Vermentino

The perfect wine with your turkey
Jonathan Rogers of VIN Wine Merchants in Emsworth looks at this increasing popular variety.

Christmas is the one day where you can spoil yourselves much more with an abundance of fine foods and fantastic wines and is a great opportunity to try something you may not have tried before. If you are new to Vermentino then you will not be disappointed.

A very underrated grape variety, it is quickly gaining popularity amongst wine lovers. Found mainly in Sardinia (nearly half of all Vermentino is produced her) the finer wines are created mainly in the north of the region. The grape has been cultivated in this area since the fourteenth century and it is now also producing some fine examples in the Languedoc Roussillon where it is known as Rolle, Provence and parts of Australia and the US.

Producing a dry wine, it displays much more rounded characters then acidic dry wines such as sauvignon blanc. It has a much more tropical fruit personality rather than zesty crispness with lighter citrus, peach and pear fruit flavours showing through. It has a much fuller body with a classic oily texture, and this is what pairs well with the velvety flavours of the turkey. It prefers a warmer climate and will produce finer wines even in less fertile soils.

Wines of this style (others include Chardonnay, Viognier, Marsanne) are a perfect accompaniment to white meats and to me, pair better then lighter reds with the turkey. Vermentino has the weight to stand up to the other flavours on your plate, and pairs very nicely with light fish dishes, making the perfect all-rounder on Christmas Day.

Check out these two!

McPherson Laneway Vermentino Nagambie Victoria Australia - £12.99
A fantastic family owned vineyard in the Nagambie Lakes region of Victoria. Rich and full, with bags of tropical fruit. The flavours go on and on.

Marco Zanata Vermentino di Sardegna 2018 - £12.29
Hugely aromatic with citrus and floral notes. Peach characters shine through on the end.

Available now at VIN wine merchants 6 Queen St Emsworth Hants PO10 7BL.

10% off when you buy six or more

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