# Vermentino Riviera Ligure di Ponente (2024)

- **Producer:** Azienda Agricola Laura Aschero
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Vermentino
- **Region:** Liguria, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €18
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apricot, peach, grapefruit, melon, pineapple, blossom, herbaceous, honey, almond

## About this wine

Azienda Agricola Laura Aschero is a benchmark estate located in the rugged hills of Pontedassio, within the Imperia province of Liguria. Founded in 1980 by Laura Aschero, a former teacher who decided to revive her family's historical vineyards at the age of 54, the estate is now run by her son, Marco Rizzo. The winery is highly respected for championing the native varieties of the Riviera di Ponente, capturing the dramatic meeting point of the Ligurian Alps and the Mediterranean Sea.

## Interesting facts

- Laura Aschero, a former teacher, founded the estate in 1980 at age 54, becoming a pioneer for modern Ligurian winemaking.
- The vineyards are planted on steep, ancient stone-walled terraces called 'fasce' overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
- The estate is located in Pontedassio, where alpine breezes and coastal maritime influences meet to create a unique microclimate.

## Food pairing

The wine's vibrant acidity and distinct saline minerality cut beautifully through fried seafood and rich olive oil-based dishes. Its herbal undertones make it a textbook match for classic Ligurian basil pesto, while its medium body stands up well to delicate white meats and fresh Mediterranean herbs.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process is designed to protect the pristine, delicate fruit characteristics of the Vermentino grape. Grapes are hand-harvested from steep, terraced vineyards situated between 150 and 250 meters above sea level. Following a gentle pressing, fermentation takes place entirely in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The wine is aged on its fine lees in stainless steel for several months to build textural complexity without the use of oak or malolactic fermentation, preserving its natural, vibrant spine.