2017 Vermentino

2017 Vermentino (Lodi)

We love all things Italian: motorcycles (a due Ducati family), cars (loved that Alfa, even if it was always wanting tuned), and, of course, wine. In that vein, Vermentino is a fabulous addition to the UL family.

If Vermentino was an automobile, it would undoubtedly be a sleek, white Lamborghini, angular, but with curves enough that it was never austere, and edgy, but still classically beautiful. Originally from Sardinia and Liguria, the French love it, too, with growing interest in Languedoc and Roussillon.

In the glass, Vermentino is full of zippy mineral and citrus notes: lemon zest, wet granite, and a squeeze of grapefruit. While light, crisp, and always refreshing, it never lacks complexity with finishing notes of stone fruit, fresh almond, and salinity.

VINTAGE NOTES

It’s feast or famine! California saw record levels of rain and snow in many locations. While Lodi’s rainfall was certainly robust, full reservoirs and large amounts of melting snow swelled central California rivers, including the Mokulomne, which borders the Vermentino vineyard.  Flood conditions limited the vines’ ability to produce, yielding a notably small harvest.

THE VINEYARD

From Italy to America, three generations of the Borra family lived la dolce vita with a vineyard on the north bank of the Mokelumne River in Lodi's Clements Hills. It receives an extra dose of cooling breeze from San Francisco Bay to produce grapes with fresh, zingy aroma and flavor.

FOOD PAIRINGS

Vermentino.'s crispness and complexity pairs well with dishes that feature rich spices, tangy herbs, and a degree of creaminess. Halibut, smoked trout, or salmon are lovely, maybe in a taco? Cheese, please—particularly creamy goat or burrata. Don't forget the veggies—and don't be afraid to bring out the spinach, arugula, or even asparagus..

AWARDS