Vermentino From Tuscany

Niccolò Marzichi Lenzi is the CEO and co-owner of Tenuta di Biserno and Tenuta Campo di Sasso, wineries on the coastal reaches of Bibbona in Tuscany. There, the microclimate balances warmth and maritime freshness. Ripeness is moderated, extraction kept light, and structure allowed to step aside for wines that feel expressive and uncontrived.

Two wonderful white wines, Occhione and Rissoa, reflect a nuanced expression of the estate, one that is expressive of their environment.

Occhione is a Vermentino wine, a grape for which I have quite a fondness. This Toscana I.G.T. wine is 100% Vermentino and was vinified and briefly aged in stainless steel tanks. It has alcohol restrained at 13% abv and a retail price of around $20. 

This wine colors up in a light straw tint, and it's a little cloudy. The nose offers minerals and various types of citrus aromas, like lime, orange, and lemon. A strong note of apricot and peach also appears. The palate has stone fruit, citrus, and a good streak of salinity. That savory edge lasts through the rather lengthy finish, while the acidity is brisk. This is a nice wine as an aperitif, but it also pairs well with a spicy shrimp dish. 

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