7 April 2022. Words by YGOW.

Vermentino has been made in Australia for less than 20 years, but it has steadily been growing to become an important player in the burgeoning market of emerging grape varieties in this country. It’s predominantly a coastal variety, with its most famous growing areas in France’s southern regions of Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence, as well as in the Italian regions of Liguria, Tuscany and Sardinia. In Australia, it has found coastal homes, such as in McLaren Vale, but the bulk of it is grown further inland, with it adapting well to warmer climates when handled carefully in the vineyard. Now grown in well over 20 regions, vermentino has become a readily recognised name for more curious consumers, so we thought it timely to check in to see exactly where Australian vermentino is at with a Deep Dive.

2021 Ricca Terra Vermentino, Riverland $27

Kidd had this in the top half of his top six. “Pithy lemon water,” he wrote. “As delicate as one gets while still delivering layers of fruit. Palate is dry, fine long and revels yet more delicate pithy notes. The texture here is what defines this wine. Overall, a very refined example with lovely length.” Trembath also had this in his top six. “Stylistically in the fruit-driven melon/guava style, but also has a touch of powderiness to it that adds to the interest and stops the wine from being too straightforward. Clean, dry with beautiful fruit richness – couldn’t have too much of this in the fridge.”

Read the full articlehere