Mario Bagella "1Sorso" 2021 Vermentino di Sardegna

750ml bottle

13.5% abv

Vermentino di Sardegna, despite its light-bodied character, is incredibly complex. Lively aromas of pear, white peach, yellow apple, lime, and pink grapefruit, subtly underscored by notes of crushed rocks and citrus zest. Somewhat unctuous on the palate, though extremely well balanced with distinctive flavors of yellow apple, grapefruit, and citrus, layered with a crushed rocky minerality and saltiness. The finish shows subtle bitterness, reminiscent of fresh almond or grapefruit pith.

Nestled in the town of Sorso, overlooking the shimmering Mediterranean Sea, is the 12.5-acre estate of second-generation winemaker Mario Bagella. With roots running deep into the rich, chalky, and limestone soils of northern Sardinia, Bagella's family has nurtured their vines for more than eight decades. Drawing from the natural gifts of the region's terroir, Mario masterfully crafts the 2020 '1 Sorso' Vermentino di Sardegna, a wine as eloquent and complex as the land it springs from.

The '1 Sorso' Vermentino is a jewel of Vermentino di Sardegna DOC, Italy's renowned region for this varietal. This designation of controlled origin was established in 1988, fifteen years after significant quality improvements in Sardinian Vermentino wines had been underway. Vermentino, the pride of the region, likely arrived in Sardinia via Liguria in the northwest of Italy or southern France, where it is known as Rolle.

The 2021 vintage of '1 Sorso' encapsulates the true essence of the Vermentino grape. Mario Bagella incorporates an intriguing winemaking technique, leaving the skins in contact for 12 hours. This method imparts an additional layer of texture and complexity, resulting in a mineral-driven wine that boasts an elegant body with a subtly salty edge. Complementing these characteristics is an impressive salinity, an homage to the vineyard's proximity to the sea, together with a refreshing acidity and confident notes of green apple, grapefruit, and lime juice.

As an advocate for natural winemaking, Mario has progressively shifted the winery and vineyard operations towards organic practices. For him, it's not merely a trend, but a profound responsibility towards the land his family has cherished for generations. It's an extension of his philosophy and love for wine, which he sees as a beautiful instrument of sharing and appreciating diversity — among people, vines, and territories.

The Bagella estate is located in the heart of Sorso, the capital of Romangia, the first territory of Sardinia to be colonized by the ancient Romans. A hub of agricultural production and trade in Northern Sardinia, the region is known for its unique blend of historical charm and agrarian vitality. Sorso, fittingly translating to 'sip' in Italian, sits where the hills marry the sea on the northwest side of Sardinia. It is in this enchanting locale that the Bagella vineyard thrives, on a hill that forms a natural amphitheater, capturing the cool ocean breezes and protecting the grapes from over ripening in the hot coastal sun.

The aging vines, some as old as 90 years, endow a depth of character to the wines, creating a level of complexity not typically found in younger vineyards. The Vermentino grapes, grown in soils composed of sand and clay, result in a wine that bears the unmistakable imprint of its origin – a salty, mineral-rich palate that sings of the Mediterranean.

Producing only 10,000 bottles per harvest (total, not per wine), the winemaking process is a labor of love and meticulous craftsmanship. Spontaneous fermentation takes place in stainless steel, followed by an 8-12 month aging period in the same. The wine is then bottled without fining or filtration, preserving the authenticity and richness of its flavor.