Posted by Rowena Dumlao Rowena Dumlao - Giardina 5/27/2024

The 3rd Edition of Vermentino International Wine Competition in Cagliari, Sardinia

On May 23 and 24, 2024, Cagliari’s Sa Manifattura conference room hosted the third edition of the Vermentino International Wine Competition. Organized by APS Promo Eventi by Mario Bonamici, President of APS Promo Eventi and Andrea Campurra, President of Sardegna Bio District Foundation, who both expressed satisfaction with the competition’s growth, noted a significant increase in participation compared to the previous editions. This annual competition, initiated in 2017 by the said organizer, celebrates the remarkable qualities of the Vermentino grape variety. The wine competition was officially authorized by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (MIPAAF) and received the patronage of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, the Municipality of Cagliari, the LAORE Regional Agency, the Consorzio di Tutela Vini di Maremma, Coldiretti Sardinia, Distretto Sardegna Bio and EPULAE Accademia Internazionale di Enogastronomia.

Andrea Campurra, President of Sardegna Bio District Foundation and Mario Bonamici, President of APS Promo Eventi

Dr. Pierpaolo Lorieri, presiding over the competition, led the tasting commissions in their quest to determine the “Best Vermentino in the World,” with the support of the Federazione Italiana Sommelier (FIS) Sardinia. The competition benefited from the expertise of judges, which I had the honor to serve as one, representing the Philippines. Apart from the Italian judges, the other judges come from various countries namely France, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, South Korea, the Philippines, Georgia, Japan, Poland, Spain, and the United States. The blind tasting was divided into seven panels, each evaluating various categories of Vermentino wines, including organic and sparkling varieties.

The Judging Panels

Jury A (Organic Productions)
Aldo Buiani (Italy)
Marianna Mura (Italy)
Aurelie Melleray (France)
Michel Guagnini (France)
Alfredo Figus (Italy)
Daniele Marchi (Italy)

Jury B (Organic, Sparkling Wines)
Giorgio Baccigalupi (Italy)
Yuki Ishida (Japan)
Alain Sorba (France)
Angelica Santori (France)
Marco Sciarrini (Italy)
Ivan Paone (Italy)
Alessandro Bianchi (Italy)

Jury C
Luca Federici (Italy)
Leonardo Ferrari (Brazil)
Antonio Stelli (Italy)
Jordi Solà (Spain)
Cecilia Alàrcon (Chile)
Onofrio Graviano (Italy)

Jury D
Stefano Tofanelli (Italy)
Rowena Dumlao (Philippines)
Marine Luigi (France)
Maciej Sokołowski (Poland)
Francesco Chessa (Italy)
Andrea Cherchi (Italy)

Jury E
Rapahel-Pierre Bianchetti (France)
Alain Bagard (France)
Naomi Deaddis (Italy)
Alex Motserelia (Georgia)
Nan Young Baek (South Korea)
Luigi Giuntelli (Italy)

Jury F
Vasco Cuiti (Italy)
Dario Deiana (Italy)
Fanny Andrè (France)
Charlotte Barreau (France)
Enzo Civetti (Italy)
Francesco Pillai (Italy)

Jury G
Angelo Concas (Italy)
Susana Alonso (Argentina)
Roger Oferil (Italy)
Riccardo Curreli (Italy)
Lucien Angei (France)
Nadine Montemagni (France)
Roberto Ripa (Italy)

A special ad hoc commission of sector operators, new to this edition, also conducted blind tastings of 30 samples, offering valuable commercial insights without influencing the final votes.

Competition Highlights

The 2024 competition saw 299 entries of Vermentino from Italy, France, Australia, USA (California, Oregon, Virginia), South Africa, Chile, and Brazil. According to MIPAAF regulations, the threshold for awarded wines must not exceed one third of the entries. However, due to some ties, the organizers allowed up to 35% of the wines to be recognized with medals, reflecting the high standards of the competition. A total of 105 wines were awarded: 6 Grand Gold Medals (minimum score of 96/100) and 99 Gold Medals ( between 90.33/100 to 95.67/100 points). Sardinian Vermentinos stood out with 46 awards, including 15 DOCG Vermentino di Gallura and 31 DOC from Sardinia. Foreign entries secured 29 awards, and 18 wines from certified organic farming were recognized.

Grand Gala and Winners Announcement

The event concluded with the “Gran Galà del Vermentino,” where judges, sector operators, authorities, the press, and producers freely sampled the competing wines. Notable attendees included owners from two Californian wineries, Cougard Winery & Vineyard and Thornton Winery, who expressed keen interest in Old World Vermentino productions.

The competition culminated with the announcement of the winners and the “Best Vermentino in the World,” set to enjoy widespread recognition and promotion in the upcoming year. Sardinia, with its significant Vermentino cultivation, will continue to play a leading role in this international celebration of the grape’s potential.

6 Grand Gold Medals

Eredi Elvira Milani Linsolito Candia dei Colli Apuani DOC 2023
Cantina del Giogantinu Lugheluna Vermentino di Gallura Superiore DOCG 2021
Cantina di Dolianova Prendas Vermentino di Sardegna DOC 2023
Tenuta Delogu Oghe Vermentino di Sardegna DOC 2023
Il Moretto Arual Candia dei Colli Apuani DOC 2023
Domaine Fiumicicoli Domaine Fiumicicoli Corse Sartene 2023