Vermentino or Rolle

Everything you ever wanted to know about Vermentino

Vermentino is one of the most demanding and distinctive white Mediterranean grape varieties. Today, this grape variety is mainly grown in Provence, Corsica, Sardinia and Italy, covering around 7,000 hectares worldwide. Vermentino is thought to be a type of Malvasia that travelled from Madeira via Spain to Corsica and Sardinia, and from there to Liguria and Italy in the 15th century. The ‘Favorita’ variety in Piedmont is identical to it. The word ‘Vermentino’ contains the Italian ‘fermento’, which refers to its lively character when young. In France, the grape was first mentioned around 1840 and is known there as ‘Rolle’.

As a Mediterranean grape, Vermentino copes relatively well with drought and heat. It ripens late, but is sensitive to frost and susceptible to mildew. Provence, with its proximity to the sea and the Mistral wind, is therefore an ideal growing region for it. The grape variety produces very aromatic, fruity and fresh wines with an intense bouquet (in Provence: citrus fruits, pears, lime blossom, but also exotic fruits) and a very distinctive, slightly bitter finish (aniseed, fennel).