Lunae Vermentino Etichetta Nera (Black Label) 2016

GUARANTEED BEST PROVENANCE:
IMPORTED FROM ITALY BY AIR AND STOCKED IN CALIFORNIA

Imagine dining on the breakwater in Vernazza along the Cinque Terre. You’re eating fresh fish just caught in the briny Mediterranean, enjoying some herby trofie al pesto, and drinking the local vino. This is that vino.

My yearly tradition continues with fresh bottles of the 2016 vintage of Etichetta Nera (black label) Vermentino making their air-direct flight from the Lunae cantina to fans patiently awaiting this stunning Ligurian white.

Named after the ancient Etruscan and Roman port of Luni, Bosoni’s Cantine Lunae produces a limited number of “Black Label” bottles from their finest grapes, just outside La Spezia along the Eastern Ligurian coast. Don’t confuse this with the less expensive “Grey Label” Vermentino. Grey is good, but Black is awesome.

Lunae’s 2016 Vermentino vintage is an intense step up from their 2015, with vibrant lemon & lime agrumi, wildflower honey, and pleasing wild herbal notes. There’s a pleasant saltiness that goes well with Ligurian food; pair this with grilled or fried fish, stuffed mussels, grilled or lemon marinated anchovies, Cioppino, and anything with pesto.

For an interesting note on the wines from this part of Liguria, check out my article.

Bottle Size:  750ml

Alcohol: 13%