Road trippin' with my two favourite allies, fully loaded we've got snacks and supplies - well not really but the Chili Peppers always find their way onto my mixed tape.
My latest expedition to the Riverland was in search for knowledge on Vermentino and the chance to line up several at once. The Yalumba Nursery Vermentino Walk was where it all happened.
In Australia Vermentino is a relatively new white variety, usually made in a crisp dry white style. Flavours of lemon and lime, pineapple, celery and granny smiths are evident.
This variety holds it's acid in hot climate's which means less additions in the winery and a nice acid base to carry the flavours. On the palate structure can vary from strong backbone acidity to broad gentler acidity usually with a slight grip and talc powder complexity.
A note on growing the variety. It tends to have a vigorous canopy and over-crop so both bunch and shoot thinning are critical to quality. Picking time can also be a bit hit and miss as bunch ripening is uneven.
The best Vermentino's of the day were Yalumba and Chalmers.
