I recently asked a guest in one of our stores if I could make a suggestion and felt a bit deflated when she asked me to show her a vermentino. Since at the time our portfolio was absent of any vermentino I did my best to suggest an alternative; pinot grigio, pinot blanc, gruner veltliner? No, having just returned from a European vacation she had her heart set on vermentino. This inspired me (with the help of Nadia Galati) to find a good vermentino at VinItaly this year and bring it back to our stores.

Vermentino produces a bright, zippy white wine that shines brightest with Mediterranean cuisine. It has been grown for hundreds of years in a number of Mediterranean locations, including Provence, Liguria, the Tuscan coast and Sardinia.

Santa Maria della Palma Aragosta Vermentino comes to us from the beautiful island of Sardinia. Sorry I don't have any pictures of Sardinia as I have never been there (hint,hint). Vermentino from Sardinia has a complex edge with flavors of melons, peaches and citrus fruits but also a steely mineral quality.

  The Aragosta Vermentino has a nice spiciness on the palate and just enough acidity to match with any type of grilled fish or as the label suggests, lobster.                                                                                                                       

Paul Quaglini, Wine Supervisor SE Florida

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