Need to know

Vermentino is probably native to Piedmont in Northern Italy. The name is thought to come from the Italian word ‘fermento’ referring to the grape’s tendency to ferment vigorously.

It is thought that the variety reached France via the island of Corsica. There are now more hectares of Vermentino (Rolle) in France than in Italy.

In France, it’s grown all over the south of the country such as the Rhône valley, Provence and the Languedoc.

While in Italy, Vermentino is usually bottled on its own, in France, it is often blended with varieties such as Roussanne, or with red varieties like Cinsault and Granache to make Rosé.

As a warm climate variety, it is increasingly popular in Australia and California, but care must be taken not to pick too late or it can lose acidity.