As the weather warms up and we go from winter to summer on the East Coast, Vermentino seems ever more a perfect topic to discuss this weekend for the monthly #ItalianFWT twitter chat. I’m really looking forward to our discussion about this exciting grape that grows throughout the Italian regions – Liguria, Tuscany and Sardinia – as well as in France, Australia and even in the U.S.

I’ve been a fan of the grape since 1998 when I first tried a glass in Liguria at a restaurant. It was from the Colli di Luni and specifically from the Cantina Lunae. I believe it was their black label Vermentino and we paired it with a local fish dish, likely a branzino. It’s been 20 years so of course I remember the wine and the friends but the food not as clearly.

I choose Vermentino for this month’s chat because I think it is a grape that should be on every wine list and in every store. It’s easy to pronounce, pairs well with all sorts of foods and can be made into a variety of wine styles. It seems like a non-brainer as a by the glass pour in a restaurant to me.

Drinking Vermentino reminds me of summer, sailing and the sea. I love its minerality and the salinity I find in it as well as that bitter almond note I get often on the finish that I associate with Italian whites. It’s not as pronounced as in a Vernaccia di San Gimignano but it’s there.

I’m excited to read what my fellow #ItalianFWT colleagues and friends will be sharing on their blogs. We post on Saturday morning and then answer a series of questions and comment using the hashtag, #ItalianFWT at 11:00 am. Join in the fun. We welcome all who want to participate. See you then for a taste of summer.

Gwen from Wine Predator is sharing “You Need To Know Vermentino: Paired with Carbonara #ItalianFWT”

Lauren from The Swirling Dervish is writing “Vegetarian Plates and Pigato from A.A. Durin: Perfect for Your Summer Table”

Jill from L’Occasion is adding “Vermentino from Maremma, Land of The Butteri Tuscan Cowboys”

Jane from Always Ravenous is penning “Which Vermentino to Pair With Shrimp & Fresh Herb Pilaf?”

Lynn from Savor the Harvest is contributing “One Italian Island White Wine You Must Try”

Katarina from Grapevine Adventures is dishing on “Vermentino by Antonella Corda – An expression of Sardinia Terroir”

David from Cookingchatfood is giving us “Salmon with Lemon Olive Relish and a Vermentino”

Jennifer from Vino Travels Italy is reflecting on “Vermentino of Toscana with Aia Vecchia”

Nicole Ruiz Hudson from Sommstable is bringing “Piero Mancini Vermentino and Salmon Two Ways”

Camilla Mann from Culinary Adventures with Cam is posting “From Sardegna to the Land Down Under: Vermentino + Pizza alle Vongole”

Wendy from A Day In The Life on The Farm gives us “A Successful Search for Vermentino”.

and here at Avvinare, I’m all about “Vermentino in its Varied Styles from Liguria to Sardegna”