VERMENTINO

 

Richard posted that he's going to make rat and sparrow pie for his tea.

See: HERE

I suggested that Vermentino might be an appropriate wine accompaniment for such a delicacy, obviously a Nuova Lazio favourite, but I doubt that he'll be able to find any Vermentino in his local bottle stores . 'Ratshit to swallow', the byline for most of the crap offered in bottle stores of today is probably the closest he will come to finding a suitable beverage.

When Richard, Robert and I worked in a wine and spirit merchant store (a very large bottle store) in the 1970s the selections were much better encompassing a wide range of products. Most countries of the world were represented with wines, spirits, beers and liqueurs and it made our jobs very interesting (especially when we sampled most after work). Greek, German, Australian and various other brandies were on offer along with French brandies and cognacs * and just about every famous liqueur and spirit could be bought.

Portuguese Dao wines, wines from Sicily, South of France, Greece, The Lebanon, Switzerland, Austria, Romania, Hungary and many other 'strange' countries were alongside the traditional and famous wines from France, Spain, Italy and Germany.

Strangely enough the wines from Australia and New Zealand were minimal as at the time both countries industries were fledgling and there was a shortage of chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir etc and sauvignon blanc had yet to be planted.

Anyway, we're talking about Vermentino.

I've never tasted this, certainly not as a varietal on its own but it may well have been blended into some Chiantis I've tasted (I don't drink Italian white wines).

I don't think I'll give it a try though and, along with Richard's rat and sparrow pie this will have to remain a taste experience that will remain a mystery.

* There was one bottled in the Wairarapa.