From the Islands
Vermentino from Sardinia
And a Grillo from Sicily
According to Vino Italiano, “the deepest expression of the grape is found among the Vermentino di Gallura DOCG wines” and we've got a beauty for you below.
Over the centuries, and up to quite recently, Sardinia (just like Italy in general) was going for quantity over quality in wine. For example Vino Italia says that in 1974, the island’s Trexenta Co-op made about 100,000 hectolitres from more than two thousand acres. By the early years of this century, they were producing 15,000 to 20,000 hectolitres from 700 acres approx.
No wonder then that The Modern History of Italian Wine, a book I keep referring to in this current series, hail Cantina Gallura in the zone of the same name, under director Dino Addis, as one of the most influential Italian wine-makers of the 1990s. The large co-operative was persuaded to reduce yield from 150 to 90 quintals. There were other changes, most noticeably “an immediate loss of income”.
But, “the courage to change” led to “a winning decision” and in 1996, they obtained the DOCG, “the first and only one in Sardinia”.
Cantina Sociale Gallura Vermentino di Gallura Superiore (DOCG) Gemellae, 2013, 12%, €17.85 Le Caveau
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wqg-4PtSmA9VF9bzLsVL0OU2PXWVbVLVCVgDigu8Vcd3pKCWzhZQbFMvrhQ6scspLbJNtF2A4QMua7e45ZpPreH5wkjgA96OPA-vQz2cq15Ivl1rHE1t7fLMUE8Y1fja2WzoBwyEznDo/s320/1a2017-02-07+14.21.30.jpg)
Cusumano Shamaris Grillo Sicilia (DOC) 2015, 13%, €18.95 (€14.95 on sale) O’Brien’s
A surprisingly excellent wine of no little heft, helped by four months on fine lees, from a modest grape, Grillo, that is supposed to be on the wane on the island of Sicily. US wine critic James Suckling regularly gives Shamaris good marks, including 91 points for this vintage.
It has a mid gold colour, bright. There are inviting white fruit aromas, blossom notes too. Fresh and lively fruit (including melon), good body, lovely balance, acidity of course and a decent finish. Highly Recommended.
According to The Modern History of Italian Wine (my current “bible” on the subject), Cusumano (founded in 2001) are one of the drivers of Italian wine in this century and “an extraordinary commercial success”. “There’s a piece of the land..in each of our labels”. Their other varietals (which include Nero D’Avola) may well be worth watching out for.
See also (from my current Italian mini-series):
In the Heart of ChiantiPighin's "Grave wines are bargains". Good too!
Sweet Favourite of the Romans. Still Going Strong.
Montepulciano and Montepulciano confused?
Pinot Grigio, one of the most popular grapes.
Montepulciano and Montepulciano confused?
Pinot Grigio, one of the most popular grapes.
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