2020 Jankara, Vermentino di Gallura Superiore, Sardinia

A Gallura native, Renato Spanu left Sardinia when he was 17 years old to study international business at the University of Florida in the US, where he met his future wife. After he graduated, he began a career working in fine wines, eventually becoming the Florida State Manager of Empson (USA). Renato loved his American life, but still had strong ties to his home country. In fact, he later bought land in the area his grandfather used to have a vineyard, in the northeast of Sardinia, in the hills of Gallura, and has since moved back to carry out his dream of making wine. Renato says it best, “This is the best Vermentino land in the world. The microclimate is superb, influenced by the vast Lake Liscia and the island’s second-highest mountain, Limbara. Temperatures, ventilation and exposure provide fantastic conditions, prolonging the grapes’ time on the vine and allowing them to absorb and produce intense, complex aromas.” It is hard to contradict him, his wines speak for themselves. This Vermentino is made from a single granite-rich vineyard near Gallura. Harvested in early fall, the grapes are delicately pressed and then fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine ages in stainless steel as well for about six months followed by two months in bottle. It shows great balance between alcohol, acidity, and fruit. Why do we like it? It’s intensely aromatic with fresh lemon zest and white peach, a touch of dried chamomile and pineapple alongside a lovely saline finish. The wine is compelling and has a slight waxy texture but plenty of acidity.  This wine will pair very nicely with some spaghetti with sea urchin. The combination of fresh citrus and tropical fruits and intense salinity from the sea urchin will be wonderful.     Grape           Vermentino  Country        Italy                                  Region          Sardegna                                        Vintage         2020