2015 Cherchi, Filighe, Metodo Classico, Sparkling Vermentino di Sardegna DOC, Sardinia, Italy.
The Cherchi Sparkling Vermentino di Sardegna DOC is a bright and vigorous bubbly with loads of zesty acidity and an elegant almost creamy mousse, making for a fun and fresh wine to enjoy with sea food deals and is a wonderfully delicious Summer celebrator from the beautiful Mediterranean island of Sardinia. There is a light and mineral driven palate of white peach, lemon/lime and quince fruits, a delicate leesy brioche, almond and doughy note. The Cherchi family has crafted a very unique Sparkling wine here and highlights the terroir character and varietal flavors with a delightful almost mouth watering, saline, and dry bubbly that is refreshing and distinctive, it would be great with oysters and or claims in white wine broth. While not quite Champagne obviously, this wine does a solid job in providing pleasure and is perfect as an aperitif with a dash of Mediterranean attitude.
This Cherchi Filighe Sparkler is made, a bit like Champagne, but of 100% Vermentino that is grown on steeper sites, set on hilly terrain that is situated close to 200 meters above sea level in Usini, with the vineyards in the Logudoro hills of the Sassari region. The vines are influenced by the elevation and ocean, along with the soils here, which are a mix of chalky limestone and clay. The grapes are, early picked to retain energy and acidity, all hand harvested, de-stemmed, gently crushed and soft-pressed, then they are fermented in stainless steel for 6 months. Then the Cherchi Vermentino di Sardegna DOC Metodo Classico is matured and re-fermentted in bottle on its yeast for another 18 months, before disgorging. Giovanni Cherchi started in 1970 as a winegrower after inheriting a tiny 2 ha vineyard and spent 10 years selling grapes before starting his own winery, with his children Salvatore, Annalisa and Maria now running the estate, which is known for quality Vermentino, Cagnulari and Cannonau wines, some which are densely concentrated, full bodied efforts, along with this delightful bubbly version.
($25 Est.) 90 Points, grapelive