Pala Soprasole Vermentino di Sardegna

Pala Soprasole Vermentino di Sardegna is made from a single clone of Vermentino the Pala family has cultivated since the 1950s in limestone hillside vineyards overlooking the Gulf of Cagliari. Although not native to Sardinia, Vermentino has become the island's signature white, and this bottling from the "Is Crabilis" vineyard in Serdiana showcases what happens when one family works the same clone for seventy years in calcareous soils 150 to 180 meters above sea level. The vines were planted in the 1980s and the wine is fermented in stainless steel at 15°C, rested for a few months in tank, then bottled without oak. The Pala family farms the hills above Cagliari where the Mediterranean breeze and bright Sardinian light define the character of the wine as much as the soil. The clayey, calcareous, texture-rich vineyards sit close enough to the sea that salt air reaches the fruit during the growing season. After a soft pressing, the must is fermented with selected yeasts in stainless steel vats, then lightly clarified and allowed to rest before bottling. The winemaking is intentionally minimal to preserve the lime and balsamic aromatics typical of this clone and terroir. The wine shows notes of lime and balsamic herb on the nose, with good depth and balance and a long, satisfying finish. It is built for seafood—grilled white fish, clams, mussels, anything with a light butter or herb sauce. Drink it young and cold with linguine alle vongole or a whole roasted branzino, ideally outdoors on a warm evening when you want something clean and coastal. The acidity is sufficient to cut through richer preparations like lobster or crab with drawn butter. Available for pickup at our Lincoln Park bottle shop at 1128 W Armitage Ave, local Chicago delivery, or nationwide shipping.