Description
Azienda Agricola Durin was founded in 1939 by Giacomo Basso in the small village of Ortovero along the Ligurian coast. Durin is the family nickname that was passed down from Giacomo's father, Isidoro and on down to his great-grandson, Antonio, who runs the estate today. Antonio was on track to follow his brothers into the field of medicine in Genoa. But when his father Angelo suffered a sudden, debilitating stroke, Antonio decided to drop his studies and return home to Ortovero to resume farming his father's land of vineyards and fruit trees. Although his mother did not approve of this decision, after years of tireless effort, it turned out to be the right one for Antonio. He is making magical wines from his over 70 different tiny parcels of vines spread across 40 acres of terraced hillsides above the Mediterranean Sea (ranging in altitude from 150 feet to as high as 2,100 feet!). With the help of his wife, Laura, Antonio has carved out a stellar reputation within Italy as a specialist of the Pigato grape and a leading producer of Vermentino and Rossese in Liguria. He hopes to instill his passion for cultivating wine to his young children, so they may continue the Durin family legacy.
This 100% Vermentino evokes the pristine beauty of its stunning home in Riviera Ligure di Ponente on Italy’s northwestern coast. Fresh and clean aromatics of Meyer lemon, orange blossom and sweet pear carry through to the light-bodied palate, which is brighter than the nose suggests. A zesty, citrus acidity is offset by the wine’s soft and lush texture, achieved in part due to the wine having spent some time on its fine lees. Flavors on the palate are more savory in tone, hinting at wood resin, wild marjoram, apricot pit and slightly bitter Marcona almond. Delicate and pure while at the same time fragrant and lively, this is a delightful wine on its own, but will pair quite well with something flavorful and of the sea like pasta with pesto and shrimp.
