From: Sardegna, Italy
Varietal: Vermentino
Taste: Vermentino di Sardegna, despite its light-bodied character, is incredibly complex to taste. A glass of this wine teases your palate with lively aromas of pear, white peach, yellow apple, lime, and pink grapefruit, subtly underscored by notes of crushed rocks and citrus zest. On the palate, it comes across as somewhat unctuous, though extremely well balanced with distinctive flavors of yellow apple, grapefruit and citrus, layered with a crushed rocky minerality and saltiness. The finish is marked by a subtle bitterness, reminiscent of the taste of fresh almond or grapefruit pith.
Pairing: Vermentino wine like the 2022 Mario Bagella 1 Sorso Vermentino di Sardegna is a veritable feast for the senses. This multi-dimensional wine, with its combination of salinity, minerality, and layered notes of green apple, grapefruit, and lime, makes it a perfect companion to an array of Mediterranean cuisine. Its citrusy profile and hints of salinity are excellent with lighter protein-based dishes, such as grilled chicken, pan-seared fish, or even a delicate shrimp scampi (check out Melissa Clark’s recipe for Spiced Ginger Shrimp With Burst Tomatoes below!).
Given its Sardinian origins, this Vermentino pairs wonderfully with traditional dishes from the region. Think fresh seafood such as grilled octopus or calamari, pasta with clam sauce, or "fregola con arselle", a traditional Sardinian pasta dish with clams. It would also pair wonderfully with "bottarga", a delicacy of salted, cured fish roe, typical of Sardinian cuisine.
This wine’s combination of crisp acidity and robust flavors can be mirrored with a variety of vegetarian dishes. A classic Greek salad, with its salty feta cheese, would complement the wine’s salinity, while a roasted cauliflower dish with a squeeze of lemon could highlight the wine's citrus tones. Pasta with a creamy alfredo sauce, topped with fresh parsley, could also provide a beautiful balance, with the sauce's richness pairing nicely with the wine's subtle oiliness and the herbs resonating with its freshness. Finally, grilled vegetable skewers, a simple caprese salad, or a risotto primavera would all create harmonious pairings with this Vermentino, celebrating the flavors of the Mediterranean in each bite and sip.
Other vegetarian options include: Spinach and Artichoke Calzone, Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli, Grilled Zucchini and summer Squash, Roasted Fennel, Pesto, Olive Tapenade, Green Olives, Bell Peppers, Red Onion, Capers, Artichoke Hearts, Grape Tomatoes, Asparagus, Fennel and Orange Salad, Garlic and White Wine Pasta.
Spiced Ginger Shrimp With Burst Tomatoes
About. Nestled in the town of Sorso, overlooking the shimmering Mediterranean Sea, is the 12.5-acre estate of second-generation winemaker Mario Bagella. With roots running deep into the rich, chalky, and limestone soils of northern Sardinia, Bagella's family has nurtured their vines for more than eight decades. Drawing from the natural gifts of the region's terroir, Mario masterfully crafts the 2020 '1 Sorso' Vermentino di Sardegna, a wine as eloquent and complex as the land it springs from.
The '1 Sorso' Vermentino is a jewel of Vermentino di Sardegna DOC, Italy's renowned region for this varietal. This designation of controlled origin was established in 1988, fifteen years after significant quality improvements in Sardinian Vermentino wines had been underway. Vermentino, the pride of the region, likely arrived in Sardinia via Liguria in the northwest of Italy or southern France, where it is known as Rolle.
The 2022 vintage of '1 Sorso' encapsulates the true essence of the Vermentino grape. Mario Bagella incorporates an intriguing winemaking technique, leaving the skins in contact for 12 hours. This method imparts an additional layer of texture and complexity, resulting in a mineral-driven wine that boasts an elegant body with a subtly salty edge. Complementing these characteristics is an impressive salinity, an homage to the vineyard's proximity to the sea, together with a refreshing acidity and confident notes of green apple, grapefruit, and lime juice.
As an advocate for natural winemaking, Mario has progressively shifted the winery and vineyard operations towards organic practices. For him, it's not merely a trend, but a profound responsibility towards the land his family has cherished for generations. It's an extension of his philosophy and love for wine, which he sees as a beautiful instrument of sharing and appreciating diversity — among people, vines, and territories.
The Bagella estate is located in the heart of Sorso, the capital of Romangia, the first territory of Sardinia to be colonized by the ancient Romans. A hub of agricultural production and trade in Northern Sardinia, the region is known for its unique blend of historical charm and agrarian vitality. Sorso, fittingly translating to 'sip' in Italian, sits where the hills marry the sea on the northwest side of Sardinia. It is in this enchanting locale that the Bagella vineyard thrives, on a hill that forms a natural amphitheater, capturing the cool ocean breezes and protecting the grapes from over ripening in the hot coastal sun.
The aging vines, some as old as 90 years, endow a depth of character to the wines, creating a level of complexity not typically found in younger vineyards. The Vermentino grapes, grown in soils composed of sand and clay, result in a wine that bears the unmistakable imprint of its origin – a salty, mineral-rich palate that sings of the Mediterranean.
Producing only 10,000 bottles per harvest (total, not per wine), the winemaking process is a labor of love and meticulous craftsmanship. Spontaneous fermentation takes place in stainless steel, followed by an 8-12 month aging period in the same. The wine is then bottled without fining or filtration, preserving the authenticity and richness of its flavor.
