Region: Sardinia, Italy

Varietal: 100% Vermentino

Tasting note: Sparkling Vermentino from Sardinia made the same way they make Champagne?! Yes please! The aroma here is subtle white flowers with a nice hint of straw. The palate shows fresh yellow fruits and a touch of almond. The limestone soils that these grapes grow in shines through in the crisp, mineral finish. Eighteen months of bottle aging give it just the right amount of complexity without losing any of the verve. This super unique wine is absolutely delightful, refreshing and delicious!

Producer: Cherchi has been a point of reference for many producers in Sardinia on account of Giovanni Cherchi’s contribution to the fame of Vermentino di Sardegna beyond the regional boundary. A long time veteran of the wine business in this region, Giovanni Cherchi started his career in 1970 as a winegrower after inheriting a 2 ha vineyard and selling fruit to other wineries in the region. He started producing his own wine with the 1980 vintage and has since passed the torch to his children Salvatore, Annalisa and Maria, while continuing to oversee the work in both the vineyard and winery.

Vineyard and Winemaking: Usini is a municipality of the province of Sassari, nestled in the Logudoro hills. These lands have a centuries-old vocation for grape-growing with their alternating limestone hills and valleys clothed by a patchwork of vineyards, olive groves, vegetable gardens and pastures. The particular features of the soil and climate provide full-bodied, fragrant grapes. Sea breezes, due to the short distance from the coast, the wind and temperature excursions enrich characteristics found in the wines. The Cherchi family owns approximately 30 ha (74 acres) of vineyards in Usini with 60% Vermentino, 35% Cagnulari and 5% Cannonau.