Jasmine, frangipani and passionfruit blossoms drift from the glass – the scent of an early evening summer breeze in a house by the ocean. There’s a spritz of lemon juice, the minerality of sea shells, and the subtle nuttiness of freshly ground almond meal.

On the palate it’s the texture that seduces – mouth-filling and concentrated but not weighty. Ruby grapefruit is joined by flavours of pineapple mint. It’s dry and quite savoury with refreshing acidity and great length. Sip by the seaside with pan-fried King George whiting plus a crunchy apple, celery and mint salad.

Very pale to water-white colour in the glass. Lemongrass, gardenia, and sea-spray aromas. Tightly-bound with a crunchy citric acid line. Driving and focussed, which contrasts so well with the floral and tropical fruit flavours. Good length and a hint of phenolic grip dries the finish.

Rush at Greek seafood dishes and a generous pour of this. Vermentino taking you to Rancho Relaxo.
Lacy dashes of lemon juice wrap themselves around tonic, sea spray and cut herb that follows. Bright acidity dances but it is that lemon twist and tang on close which has me thinking grilled octopus and a belly full of saganaki - both generously drizzled with fresh lemon juice of course! Celebrate the joys of food, friends and glorious sunshine with a fabulously refreshing Oliver's Taranga Vermentino.

Vermentino is a grape primarily found in Sardinia and Corsica, but is making itself very much at home in warm Australian wine regions, where it produces crisp and fresh dry wines. This was one of three impressive 2020 new releases from sixth-generation winemaker Corinna Wright at Oliver's Taranga in McLaren Vale. The other duo were a delightful fiano and a feisty mencia rosé but this was my favourite by a short half head. It is unoaked, fruity, zippy and zesty and a perfect partner for seafood dishes. Damn good value, too. And very refreshing.