Vermentino is a white grape variety grown from eastern Liguria down to Tuscany, with disputed origins. It is thought to have originated in Spain, spreading from there to various regions in France—such as Languedoc-Roussillon, where it is known as Malvoisie Précoce d’Espagne or Malvoisie à gros Grains—and to Corsica, where it is the most widely cultivated white grape. In Italy, Vermentino spread from Liguria southward to Tuscany, thriving on the hills at the foot of the Apuan Alps in Massa-Carrara, as well as in Maremma Livornese and on Elba Island. In these areas, Vermentino has developed distinct varietal characteristics, setting it apart from the Liguria and Sardinian varieties, where it is also widely cultivated. Many experts consider it related to and a precursor of both Pigato and Favorita.
In Liguria, Vermentino is cultivated throughout the region but finds its ideal microclimate in the Colli di Luni, near La Spezia, at the border with Tuscany. Just further south in Tuscany, the DOC Candia Colli Apuani produces a Vermentino that is equally elegant but less structured. In Sardinia, Vermentino is the most widely planted white grape variety, particularly in the northeastern tip of the island, home to the Vermentino di Gallura DOCG. Here, vineyards dominate the landscape, yielding wines that are refined, saline, and persistent.
According to the DOCG regulations, Vermentino di Gallura must be made with at least 95% Vermentino grapes. While the majority of Vermentino wines are vinified in stainless steel, maturation in wood barrels is increasingly used to round out and soften the wine’s salty flavor profile and enhance its volume on the palate.
