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- Published: 05 October 2012 05 October 2012
Vermentino reminds me fervently of a visit to Lucca for a night exactly two years ago. It was a strange adventure that took us from the civility of Northern Italy by boat to the buzz of Barcelona and on to the sizzling chaos of Fez, the old capital of Morocco, until we crossed the Middle Atlas mountains taking camels and a guide into the huge sands of the Sahara.
In Lucca we took bicycles and rode around the top of the city walls before sitting down to eat in the small square outside the elegant town house that Puccini once inhabited. The small restaurant called Paris Boheme was a tip from a couple of American's we got chatting to in the stunning Cinque Terra on the coast between Rapallo and La Spezia.
Cafe Boheme was more cafe style in feel and the tables reached out to the theatrical looking statute of Puccini himself. I asked for a wine tip and the owner literally sung "Veeeeermentinooooo! A beautiful white wine of the local region. It is very good." What could I do but nod in acceptance.
To eat we shared a "insalata erotica" which was absolutely delicious. The wine was young fresh and full of sweet life. Perfect for a warm autumnal evening such as it was. We each then succumbed to the tagliatelli and more of the same wine. A memorable evening that closed with a gentle walk through the ancient walled city to our hotel just outside.
So back to the wine in hand. I couldn't resist but climb into the warm suit of memory, pouring a large glass of Moris Vermentino Toscana 2011. It has a lovely nose of fresh cut ripe pear and hints of sweet apple. To taste it is more of the same with a refreshing acidity that leaves the mouth feeling well up-turned. Very nice indeed.
Vermentino Toscana 2011 available at Jeroboams stores or online at www.jeroboams.co.uk
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