From: Sardinia, Italy

Varietal: Vermentino

Argiolas is the foremost wine estate on the island of Sardinia, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean that lies roughly 190 miles west of Italy's mainland. The winery was founded in 1938 by Antonio Argiolas and was the first on the island to pursue quality over quantity. The vineyards of Argiolas are located in the Trexenta hills, just north of Sardinia’s capital of Cagliari. Argiolas farms 600 acres of grapes, some of which are native to the island, including Nuragus, Monica, and Cannonau.

Costamolino, named for the area, is made from Vermentino, an aromatic white grape variety that thrives in Sardinia’s Mediterranean climate. The grapes were harvested in August and September, and vinified in temperature controlled stainless-steel tanks to retain acidity. A small percentage of the wine in this blend goes through malolactic fermentation to add roundness and texture.

Tasting Notes: This Vermentino often shows the fragrance of macchia, the mix of evergreen shrubs and herbs that typifies the Sardinian landscape. Costamolino hints at aromas of pine and mint coupled with ripe stone fruits such as white peaches and apricots, along with lime and juicy orange. The palate is at once vibrant and textural and finishes with lingering acidity.

Pairing: Vermentino is an ideal wine to pair with a wide variety of vegetables. This is one of the few wines that pair well with artichokes and for that reasons alone is worth seeking out. Spinach, beans, arugula, and zucchini all pair very well with this wine. We’d suggest pairing it with Melissa Clark’s NYT recipe for Pasta With Artichokes and Pancetta.