Vermentino Italian varietal now grows in SA Posted on 10 September 2018 When Italian couple Michela and Attilio Dalpiaz, owners of Ayama Wines left Northern Italy to enjoy a holiday with friends in South Africa, they had no idea they would immediately fall in love with the country, the people, the weather and the wine. In November 2014, they planted two hectares of the very first Vermentino grape varietal in South Africa, on the scenic slopes of the Paardeberg Mountain, near Paarl. Image supplied This is the only wine farm in South Africa that currently grows this particular Italian grape and these are cultivated and hand harvested on the Ayama Slent Farm. If you enjoy Sauvignon Blanc or Sémillon then you may well find this light-bodied wine with a complex flavour to your liking. Image supplied In Provence, France, Vermentino is known as rolle and is used in the region’s top-rated Rosé. Here’s a list of few other countries (besides Italy) that grow Italian wine grapes: 1. Washington DC The state’s ‘grape growing’ began in the 1850s in Walla Walla Valley by Italian immigrants. Among the 30 wine grape varieties grown in Washington DC, the wines are in a state of growth and discovery. Some new best zones are being planted according to the diverse soils and climates. 2. New Zealand Climate has much to do with the success of Italian grapes in New Zealand. A number of Italian grapes grow well on hillsides and rich volcanic soil that the island nation has. 3. Australia There are more than one hundred planted grape varieties in Australia. Australian winemakers are also known for experimenting with Italian grapes, as some winemakers in the country have an Italian heritage. 4. California In the United States, Italian-born winery and winemaker names are quite the norm. Italians brought vine cuttings in the 1861, when millions of Italians immigrated to California and Canada. Today, the term ‘Cal-Ital’ is used to describe the various Italian grapes planted throughout California. Also read: 5 enchanting Wellington wine estates Related Posts A South African summer with a Caribbean Twist 22 November 2022 South Africans more than deserve laid-back days in the sun this summer. Caribbean Twist is the... read more 10 coffee shops to visit in Johannesburg 1 November 2022 Finding the best coffee shops in Johannesburg can be tricky. We’ve put together a list... read more Celebrity chefs will fire up a custom-built kitchen at Decorex Joburg 20 July 2022 It’s going to be hot in the concept kitchen at Decorex Joburg this year as... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
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