5 Fresh Reasons To Drink Vermentino This Summer

If you ask me, vermentino might be the most underrated wine for hot days and sultry nights in Florida. For Wine Wednesday, I've got 5 fresh reasons to drink vermentino this summer, or really any time of the year.

Vermentino, pronounced “vur-men-teeno” is the name of the grape. While it is grown around the world, you'll mostly find it in Italy. It rules the island of Sardinia. I tried lots of it this summer while vacationing there and touring the vineyards of Surrau.

The photo above is Vermentino on the vines at Surrau which is located in the higher elevations of the island. Find more on this winery and grapes of Sardinia by scrolling down. Since I've been back, I've been on a vermentino kick. And I'm not mad about it.

First, the grape is known for producing wine with flavors of summer fruits like peach. It also has tropical fruit flavors including citrus. It's perfect for summer foods and hot days.

Vermentino is generally thought to be a lighter wine but for those who like more, it can be deceivingly complex. It can even have a creamy characteristic, all depending on how the winemaker treats it during fermentation and aging.

It's a nice alternative to sauvignon blanc. Some people really enjoy sauvignon blanc but their bodies don't always enjoy the high acidity that many have. Vermentino typically has just enough acid to keep it fresh but not cause indigestion.

Vermentino is great with food. It can stand up to dishes that have a little weight to them as well. Fish that is meaty, chicken, pasta with garlicky sauces and such.

Finally, Vermentinos are typically good values. They don't cost a lot of money but deliver a lot of flavor and fun.

I love the story behind this first one. La Pettegola, when translated, has a double meaning. The first one refers to the name of coastal sea birds. The second means the gossiper.

Brand representatives liken it to the little old ladies sitting in the square chatting about the things happening around town. Perhaps over a glass of vermentino or two

I love the label on this next one. It looks like the beach and kind of tastes like we should be there when we drink it.

Keep in mind, prices may vary from those listed here but should be in the general range. Drink vermentino this summer for a change of pace and something new.

*Please drink responsibly

For Wine Wednesday we are discovering wines from Sardinia in Southwest Florida. I have just returned from a week on the Italian island doing lots of food and wine research. If you are looking to try something new, these wines are for you.

While there are a lot of vineyards on the island, not many of the wines make it to the United States. I visited the country's biggest producer, Surrau. The winery and vineyards are in Sardinia's beautiful Costa Smeralda. About 20% of their wine gets exported and Florida is on the list.

As a matter of fact, the bottles pictured below, with one exception, are the labels to look for in the United States.

Sardinia grows a variety of grapes but the flagships are vermentino for white wine and cannanou for red. Vermentino is grown all over the world but the grapes grown here are a little different due to the climate and the soil.

The wines tend to have more minerals and even have a bit of salinity to them. They are perfect with seafood and a lot of the cheeses found here.

As for the cannanou, it is the Sardinian name for grenache. The grapes here are said to have more antioxidants than any other. Sardinia is a so-called Blue Zone afterall. Blue Zones are areas where people live longer, are generally in better health than the rest of the world.

Vermintino is Surrau's specialty, but they also produce some lovely cannanou and even use those grapes for rose, sparkling wine and sweet passito. Check out this quick video from my winery visit and tasting.

If you make it to Sardinia and Costa Smeralda, book a tasting and tour at this winery. The facility is immaculate and high tech. The tasting room has a superb view, and the wines are a great discovery.

We tasted some of the dessert wines, a rose and sparkling wine too. They are not exported to the United States, but you can buy them at the winery and either ship or pack.

Surrau's winery and tasting room is modern and beautiful. The grounds are full of flowers and art.

The wines from left to right. 1. Limizzani Vermentino de Gallura DOCG is dry and tropical but still round with lots of minerality. 2. Branu Vermentino de Gallura is a DOCG wine. It also lots of minerals but with some juicy pear notes. 3. Sciala Vermentino de Gallura DOCG has fresh layers of flavors, a slightly floral and effervescent feel.

Concrete eggs are used at Surrau's winery for aging the white wines. The concrete is easy to clean and reuse as well.

Aging wine in amphora's is centuries old. It is done at Surrau in Sardinia as well. One of the ways the white wines are vinified.

At Surrau Winery in Sardinia, the vermentino grapes are still ripening on the vines. Harvest wont be for another month or so depending on the weather.

Winery founders are committed to supporting art and local artists. The hallways are set up like a gallery and so is one of the vineyard walkways. This is part of a competition. Winery visitors can vote on their favorite at Surrau in Sardinia.

Surrau uses a variety of barrels for aging its red wines at the winery in Sardinia.

Wines left to right. 1.lIsola dei Nuraghi IGE is a lighter style with mixed berry and herbs 2. Naraou Cannonau de Sardegna DOC is more chalky and dry with lots of red fruit 3. Sincaru Cannonau de Sardegna DOC is full, with dark berries and layers of flavor

Surrau makes a sparkling wine from cannonau that does not get distributed in Florida. But it fit nicely in my suitcase. It is elegantly bold with nice red fruit characteristics.

Winery founders are committed to supporting art and local artists. The hallways are set up like a gallery and so is one of the vineyard walkways. This is part of a competition. Winery visitors can vote on their favorite at Surrau in Sardinia.

Check out the floor in this barrel room. It is full of rocks. They are said to be helpful to maintain proper humidity in the cellar as the wines age in the barrels.