This month’s #ItalianFWT is all about Vermentino. It’s title is Benvenuto Vermentino, the name of a festival held in the principal growing regions in Italy in June. I’ve tried to go to the event over the years but with little success, thus far.

This year the event takes place in Liguria on June 10-12. There is also a similar event in Sardegna. Some years they do it together with Tuscany and Corsica as well.

Vermentino grows throughout Liguria, in the north of Sardegna and in Southern Tuscany. It grows in Piedmont under the name Favorita and in Corsica and other parts of France, It also grows in some areas in California, in Australia and even in Spain and New Mexico, apparently. I’m not sure if it grows in other new world countries. It comes in various styles and much has been written about whether it is the same grape as Pigato and Favorita. The vote is still out about Pigato, among some Ligurian producers who maintain that it is a different grape.

It’s a wonderful grape variety with good acidity, minerality and salinity. It is easy to pair with many foods. Wine Folly has a nice descriptive piece here on Vermentino.

Interesting to me is that among our group bloggers, most aren’t writing about Vermentino from big producers. Also quite a few are writing about it from Tuscany which seems easier to find in the United States now but is less prestigious than that from Sardegna which has a DOCG in the Gallura region. I would have thought more people would have written about those wines. Tuscany came to Vermentino later than Liguria and Sardegna but it is booming both in Suvereto and in the Bolgheri area and other parts of Maremma.

My very first Vermentino was from Liguria as I mentioned yesterday. My first Vermentino from Tuscany was from Gualdo del Re in Suvereto. I have had a number of Vermentino wines from Sardegna, sparkling, still and late harvest versions. I particularly like the sparking wines I have tried from this grape. I’m looking forward to trying even more of these wines.

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 ET. 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 Cookingchat 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.”