Villa Pinciana, Maremma Toscana DOC (Tuscany, Italy) 2018

 Maremma Toscana, a large and relatively new DOC, is located in southwestern Tuscany, roughly halfway between Rome and Florence, extending from the coast to hilly inland areas.  The Vermentino grape is king here for white wines.  Best when grown near the sea, Vermentino exhibits a definite salty edginess and tang.  Some producers, such as Villa Pinciana, blend it with a little Viognier, as in their Airali, to add a subtle floral and delicate fruity element.  The blend works well with this wine.  The cutting edge and saline quality still shine, but are moderated by floral notes.  It’s a great choice for linguine and clam sauce or grilled swordfish.