We harvested beginning in early Sept, finishing by the end of the month, all at peak maturity - yet at relatively low brix, making this an ideal variety for a lower alcohol wine.
All the lots were free-run juice (no pressing) and cool fermented in tank with a fruit enhancing strain of yeast and without a malo-lactic conversion. About 10% was aged in neutral oak for complexity. Post fermentation it was racked twice followed by a light fining, then another racking and filtration prior to bottling.
Our descriptors: fresh and supple; lively yet subtle lime, quince and pear aromas; flavors of melon and stone fruits.
Uvaggio Vermentino is unmistakably Californian. It’s as if the classic, light Italian Vermemtino’s flavor and aroma knobs were dialed as high as they could go..
Uvaggio Vermentino is a zesty wine that balances bright citrus flavors with an underlying mineral note.
Vermentino’s minerality enlivens nuanced dishes, so even subdued flavors on the plate will pop. The wine’s acidity also brightens up fried foods.
Lodi is a warm, dry region where just about every grape variety, red or white, grows well. Winemaking immigrants from Europe figured this out around 1850. Italian settlers were especially successful with their native varieties, Vermentino being one of them. The grape doesn’t require cool nights to retain its bright character.
"Alessandro wanted to know if I’d pen a feature for Cdb on the wine scene in America. “Which wine scene in America?” was my initial response, to which he more-or-less replied “all of them.” Capturing the trends and current happenings of all of the most important wine regions in the U.S. just seemed a challenge too cool to turn down, so I said yes...what was probably the most difficult part of the assignment was coming up with a list of thirty wines that I thought served as both an introduction to American wine, and as a faithful representation of American wine trends overall... Against my better judgment, I have included short blurbs on why I choose the wines that I did.
Uvaggio Lodi Vermentino – because small producers combining high quality and oddball grapes matter.
"Uvaggio is a Cal-Ital specialist with over half its production devoted to Vermentino, the aromatic white grape from Italy (and Corsica and Provence), where it is known under different names. Uvaggio is a project from Jim Moore, a veteran of Robert Mondavi's and Bonny Doon’s cellars, and he seems to have a real feel for this Italian varietal. Lighter than Chardonnay, with hints of lime and flowers, it has a summery feeling, lighthearted and approachable. It’s a remarkably versatile alternative to Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. And hard to beat the price. About $12."
"... Vermentino is a virtually unknown variety here in the US, but anyone who has enjoyed a good Vermentino from Sardinia or the Italian mainland knows enough to appreciate it. In its best incarnations its layered complexities can be moving, though it is more commonly an unsophisticated and cloying wine. Uvaggio's version is the first I've seen of this grape grown in the US - and what a debut. Crisp, fresh, and well balanced, there's something for everyone in this extremely well-rounded, elegant white. But it goes beyond crowd pleasing to demonstrate a truth and seriousness of quality that commands attention - and respect. What an unbelievable value."
"... Even though Uvaggio's 2009 Vermentino is beginning to get a little tired (and I'm looking forward to tasting the 2010 when it makes its way to our market), it had all of the vibrancy (read acidity) and citrus and white fruit to pair wonderfully with a simple dish of spaghetti al pomodoro last night. But the thing I liked the most about it was the 11 percent (yes, 11 percent!) alcohol..."
One of a series of tasty Italian-influenced wines from Jim Moore's impressive Lodi project, this is light, zesty and racy with notes of lemon grass and green olive. Thinking person's Pinot Grigio.
Uvaggio 2009 Vermentino - Uvaggio winemaker Jim Moore is making a serious case here for Lodi Vermentino, a white Italian grape not too distant in flavor from pinot grigio but more intense. This bottling is a stunner that’ll keep you thinking and asking for more. It’s compelling — savory with herb and green olive notes, and yet freshly fruity and delicate, well integrated and plenty acidic to stand up to a free-range of food, with only 11 percent alcohol."