Vernaccia Di San Gimignano Wine

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Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a white wine that is produced around the Medieval town of San Gimignano in Tuscany, Italy. The name of the grape refers either to a derivation of the word “vernaculus,” Latin for local, meaning it’s the local grape, or the town of Vernazza in Liguria, where it might have come from. It’s been around for centuries, with earliest written references from the 13th century. Vernaccia was the favorite wine of Pope Martin IV. In Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, he placed Pope Martin in Purgatorio, forever made to eat eels pickled in Vernaccia for his sins of gluttony.

After the Phylloxera crisis of the late 1800s, many of the Vernaccia plantings were replaced with Trebbiano and Malvasia since they are easier to grow and maintain. However, it made a resurgence in the 1960s since it’s far more interesting to drink than either of those two, and became the white mascot grape of San Gimignano, awarded DOC status in 1966, the first ever in Italy, and rose to DOCG classification in 1993. Depending on where it’s made and the method, the wine ranges from young, fresh and light-bodied to fuller bodied and oak-driven, but always with an underlying minerality. Its pleasant acidity and citrus flavors make it a natural match for seafood and herbal dishes such as pesto.

DOCG rules dictate that Vernaccia di San Gimignano must contain 90% of the varietal and the remaining 10% non-aromatic white grapes grown within the zone. Riserva wines must age a minimum one year in oak or steel tanks and at least four months in bottle before release.

Three styles of Vernaccia are produced:

*Tradizionale: as the name suggests, the traditional method with prolonged maceration, adding deep straw color and floral aromatics.

*Fiore: made from free-run juice, much paler in color and more saline in flavor.

*Carato: extended barrel aging, which adds body and creaminess.

~Amanda Schuster

– Description from Amanda Schuster (hide)

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Vernaccia Di San Gimignano on Snooth

May 2013

Cantine Gini Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2011

Snoothrank:

Crisp, acidic, pairs well with sharp cheese. [From "The Other Wines of Tuscany" at Bin 105, Lincoln NE, 30 March 2013.] Read More

Wine review by nputens
April 2013

Teruzzi & Puthod Vernaccia Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2008

Snoothrank:

2.99 a bottle at the local 99 Cents Only store...another neat bottle for the collection~ Read More

Wine review by cityofangels
February 2013

Az. Agraria le Rote Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2011

Snoothrank:

Colloquially speaking, the palate showcases Lemonhead candy and a mix of nutmeg & cumin. Very good kitchen table wine. Read More

Wine review by kmseq2
February 2013

Gattavecchi Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2011

Snoothrank:

Quite crisp wine. Some slight hints of tropical fruit flavors Nice tartness. Some minerality. Very straightforward, uncomplidated, pleasing wine. Very much a light seafood wine, US$11.99 at Total Wine Read More

Wine review by EMark
May 2012

La Lastra Vernaccia Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2010

Snoothrank:

Fresh tasting and one of my favorites. Read More

Wine review by VinoVixen22
May 2012

La Lastra Vernaccia Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2010

Snoothrank:

First drank this delicious white wine in Tuscany. Bought a case of it once back in US. Almost time for 2nd case ! Read More

Wine review by VinoVixen22
April 2012

Castello Montauto Vernaccia di San Gimi 2010

Snoothrank:

Fruity tooty that smells of canned peaches and fruit cocktail juice, yet holds a balanced palate. A bit short on the finish, yet still "agreable," easy to like! Read More

Wine review by KristinW
April 2012

Castello Montauto Vernaccia di San Gimi 2010

Snoothrank:

Not much on the nose here, maybe a touch of spice over waxy apricot fruit but this is pretty subdued. With time theres a touch of pine nut here as well with some sweet citrus oil tones. In the mouth this is bright and lean with modest citrus flavors and nice refreshing feel that shows a touch of steely minerality on the backend. Finishes quite ... Read More

Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz
January 2012

Toscolo Vernaccia Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2007

Snoothrank:

This wine rated 86 by Wine Spectator. I enjoyed it with an italian meal the first night and Mushi-zushi the second evening. It was Light golden color with pears and honey on the nose. Medium-bodied, with bright acidity and a clean finish. A good wine to drink now. Read More

Wine review by lakenvelder
November 2011

La Lastra Vernaccia Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2010

Snoothrank:

While in Tuscany this month ( Nov. 2011) I had the good fortune to drink this light refreshing wine. Upon returning home, I ordered a case! Read More

Wine review by VinoVixen22

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