IN BREVE
- The 2026 Vermentino Competition will be held on May 22 and 23 in Arzachena, in the natural setting of Gallura.
- The event has been authorized since 2017 by the Ministry of Agriculture and involves several institutional partners and wine consortia.
- Registration for the competition closes on May 10, 2026. Wines made from Vermentino grapes, at least 85%, may compete.
- The Competition awards prizes from Silver Medal to Grand Gold Medal, with a jury composed of wine industry experts.
- The Gran Galà del Vermentino will take place on May 23 in Arzachena, with tastings open to the public and announcement of the winners.
The International Vermentino Wine Competition returns to Sardinia in 2026 for its fourth edition. The event is scheduled for May 22 and 23 in Arzachena (SS), at the Istituto Professionale Servizi Alberghieri Ristorazione. A choice that for Mario Bonamici, founder of APS Promo Eventi—the organization officially authorized to organize the Competition, a registered trademark of the association—has a precise meaning. “The stated objective,” he explains, “has been from the beginning to bring the Competition back to its natural setting, Gallura, and to work in close synergy with all institutional partners, to make it increasingly authoritative, well-attended, and representative.”
ARZACHENA, GALLURA AND THE IDENTITY ROLE OF VERMENTINO
The Competition has been authorized since 2017 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry and is held under the patronage of, among others, MASAF, Autonomous Region of Sardinia, Municipality of Arzachena, Consorzio di Tutela del Vermentino di Gallura DOCG, Consorzio di Tutela del Candia dei Colli Apuani, Consorzio Tutela Vini Maremma Toscana, Consorzio di Tutela dei Vini DOP e IGP Colli di Luni.
And also: Cinque Terre, Colline di Levanto e Liguria di Levante, Federazione delle Strade del Vino, dell’Olio e dei Sapori di Toscana, Assoenologi Sardegna, Coldiretti Sardegna, Confcommercio Nord Sardegna, Distretto Sardegna Bio and Epulae – Accademia Internazionale di Enogastronomia.
For Bonamici, the return to Gallura represents a step consistent with the path undertaken: “We intend to further consolidate the relationship with the Sardinia Region and with Gallura, clearly an identity and quality reference point for Vermentino.”
VERMENTINO BETWEEN NEW REGIONS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
The founder of APS Promo Eventi frames the current moment for the grape variety: “Vermentino today represents one of the most well-known, widespread, and appreciated varieties in the entire Mediterranean basin. In Italy, the number of producers investing in this grape variety is constantly growing, thanks to its extraordinary versatility during vinification and its proven resilience in the face of climate change.” Alongside the historic territories, new production areas are emerging.
“Beyond Sardinia, Tuscany, and Liguria,” Bonamici points out, “new productions are emerging with great interest in regions such as Sicily, Puglia, Lazio, and Umbria, which are decisively focusing on quality enhancement, also through the comparison offered by an international-level competition like this one.” The Competition thus positions itself as a venue for technical and strategic comparison for an increasingly widespread variety at the international level.
2026 VERMENTINO COMPETITION: PARTICIPATION METHODS AND ELIGIBLE CATEGORIES
Registration is open until May 10, 2026, while samples must be received by May 16, 2026. Still, sparkling, and frizzante wines with DOP, IGP, and IG designations may participate, provided they bear the Vermentino label with a minimum percentage of 85%.
In accordance with the Ministry of Agriculture, no more than 35% of samples may be awarded. Bronze Medal is not awarded: recognition starts with Silver Medal, moving to Gold Medal, up to Grand Gold Medal.
For the 2026 edition of the Vermentino Competition, the appointment of Pierpaolo Lorieri as president of the Competition has been reconfirmed. The tasting panels will be composed of oenologists, journalists, and sommeliers from various Italian regions.
ORGANIC, FOREIGN DELEGATIONS AND GRAN GALÀ DEL VERMENTINO 2026
This edition will also feature two panels dedicated to certified organic wines, thanks to the patronage of Distretto Sardegna Bio. A distinctive element will be the presence of delegations of producers, journalists, and enthusiasts from Australia, California, and South Africa, emerging territories for the cultivation and interpretation of Vermentino.
On May 23, from 5 PM, in the center of Arzachena, the “Gran Galà del Vermentino” will be held, an event open to the public with tastings of the competing wines. At the end, the winners of the fourth edition will be announced. The official presentation will take place at Vinitaly 2026, in the Institutional Area of the Sardinia Pavilion, strengthening the connection between the event and the main international wine stages.
