Vermentino vs Fiano

Characteristics	Fiano	Vermentino
Hue	Pale lemon to gold	Pale lemon to straw
Color	White	White
Aromas	Citrus, melon, honey, mineral, pear	Citrus, green apple, white blossom, mineral
Sweetness	Dry to off-dry	Dry to off-dry
Acid	Medium	Medium Plus
Alcohol (%)	12-13%	12-13%
Body	Light to medium	Light to medium minus
Intensity	Medium	Medium
Key Growing Regions	Italy (Campania)	Italy (Sardinia, Liguria), France, Spain
Classic Pairings	Seafood, pasta, poultry	Seafood, salads, light pasta
Price Range	$20-$50	$15-$30

Vermentino vs Fiano is a logical white wine comparison. These two Italian whites can seem similar.

Fiano and Vermentino are both medium intensity citrus-driven white wines. Fiano has honey and mineral notes. Vermentino has higher acid, green apple, and blossom.

TL;DR: If you enjoy Vermentino, you’ll enjoy Fiano.

Here’s what you need to know about Fiano vs Vermentino.

Vermentino Basics: Mediterranean Classic

Vermentino, a true Mediterranean wine, offers a captivating experience. With origins in regions such as Italy, France (where it is known as Rolle), and Sardinia, Vermentino showcases a distinct character. 

Vermentino’s vibrant acidity and refreshing citrus profile pair well with sun-drenched terraces and light Mediterranean cuisine. 

Vermentino will usually have a medium body, providing more weight on the palate. Its flavor profile includes hints of tropical fruits, citrus zest, and sometimes a touch of saline minerality, reflecting its coastal vineyards.

Fun Wine Fact: Researchers now think that Vermentino’s been cultivated as a wine grape since the 1300s.

Fiano Basics: Italy’s Other White

Fiano’s a white Italian wine grape at home in the Campania region of Southern Italy. For much of time, producers made Fiano in an oxidative style. Today, improvements in winemaking science have turned this little grape into a delightful white wine showcasing citrus, Asian pear, melon, mineral, and honey notes.

Fiano will usually have a medium minus to medium body, and medium acid. It comes in dry and off-dry styles. Check out more on Fiano here.

Helpful Wine Buying Tip: Look for wines with the Fiano di Avellino DOCG designation for a classic Fiano experience.

Wine Comparison: Fiano vs Vermentino

Here’s a quick overview of the most common styles of Fiano and Vermentino wines.

Vermentino Wine Profile

• Sweetness: Vermentino wines lean towards dryness, offering a range of dry to off-dry styles.
• Alcohol: Vermentino wines typically have a moderate alcohol content, similar to Fiano, ranging from around 11% to 13% ABV.
• Body: Vermentino is known for its medium body.
• Acid: Vermentino showcases vibrant acidity, similar to Fiano.
• Flavor and Aroma Intensity: Vermentino boasts refreshing citrus notes and subtle floral undertones.
• Flavors: The flavor profile often includes tropical fruits, citrus, and a hint of saline minerality if grown near the coast.

Fun Wine Fact: Vermentino also goes by the name “Rolle”.

Fiano Wine Profile

• Sweetness: Fiano wines lean towards dryness, but can be found in dry to off-dry styles.
• Alcohol: Fiano wines typically have a medium alcohol content, similar to Vermentino.
• Body: Fiano is known for its medium minus to medium body.
• Acid: Fiano has medium acidity, similar to Vermentino.
• Flavor and Aroma Intensity: Fiano has citrus, melon, pear, mineral, and honey notes.
• Flavors: The flavor profile often includes lemon peel, lime, honeydew melon, pear, mineral, and even a slight spice with age.

Are Fiano and Vermentino Similar?

Fiano and Vermentino are similar. Both wines have a lighter body, medium alcohol, and medium intensity. Both wines share citrus notes.

What Is the Difference Between Fiano and Vermentino?

Fiano wines have a classic honey and mineral note that can turn spicy with age. Vermentino has a blossom and white floral note that Fiano won’t have. Vermentino can have slightly higher acid than Fiano, but you may not notice this while tasting.

Vermentino vs. Fiano: Food Pairings and Serving Temperature

Fiano and Vermentino share a learner, delicate nature and will pair well with lighter cuisine. Lean into the wines’ citrus core when thinking about food pairing. Chicken, white fish, salads, creamy cheeses, and cream sauces.

These are Mediterranean wines. Go for Mediterranean cuisine.

Place them in the refrigerator overnight or for a few hours before serving. Remove the bottles from the refrigerator approximately 10-15 minutes before pouring to reach the ideal serving temperature.

Both wines are best enjoyed chilled. 

Helpful Tip: If you’re just getting started with wine, head over to the post that covers just the basics of food and wine pairing. 

Which Is More Expensive: Fiano vs Vermentino

It’s natural to think about bottle costs when comparing similar white wines. Vermentino’s more widely planted than Fiano, so will cost a little less overall.

Quality Level	Vermentino	Fiano
Entry-level	$12 – $20	$20 – $30
Premium	$25 – $40+	$30 – $50

How Much Does Vermentino Cost?

• Entry-level Vermentino wines also fall within accessible price ranges, usually ranging from $12 to $20 per bottle. These wines are known for their pure fruit flavors that forefront freshness, perfect for casual sipping and pairing.
• On the premium side, Vermentino will have more intense fruit flavors. You’ll immediately notice just how pronounced they can be. Premium Vermentino wines sourced from renowned regions can have wine prices of $25 to $40 or more.

Helpful Tip: It’s unlikely that you’ll find Fiano at your local grocery store, you’ll probably need to go to a specialty wine shop.

Fiano Cost

• Entry-level Fiano wines are more expensive on the export market than other Italian whites. Expect to pay $20-$30.
• On the premium side, Fiano will have more intense honey and layered mineral notes. They may even have the ability to age. Premium Fiano wines will cost $30 to $50, but rarely more than that.

Exploring different price points within each varietal allows you to find a Fiano or Vermentino that aligns with your taste preferences and budget.

Which Is Better? Fiano vs Vermentino

If you enjoy vibrant wines with bright juicy green fruit and floral notes, Vermentino is the better choice. If you enjoy softer citrus, honey, and minerality, Fiano is better. If you are on a wine budget, then Vermentino is often less expensive than Fiano.

Personal Note: If I was faced with the option between a bottle of mid-priced Vermentino and a Fiano wine, I’d take the Fiano wine any day of the week. It’s not common where I buy my wines and I’m always looking for novelty.

Final Thoughts – Fiano vs Vermentino

Fiano and Vermentino are fun white wines to compare because they have so much in common. These are two middle-of-the road, medium-intensity white wines with citrus notes. If you really want to figure out the differences between them, then you’ll have to do a side-by-side tasting.

Your Challenge: Get a similarly priced bottle of Fiano and Vermentino and host a DIY tasting this weekend.

Thirsty for More?

Discover More:
Pinot Grigio vs Vermentino
Viognier vs Riesling
Sauvignon Blanc vs Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio vs Pinot Blanc