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

April 2012

Castello Montauto Vernaccia di San Gimignano 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
September 2011

Il Lebbio Dei F.LLI Niccolini Vernaccia di San Gimignano Tropie 2007

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Maria A Mancini
June 2011

Falchini Vernaccia Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2009

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No written review

Wine review by Laranicole
March 2011

Panizzi Riserva Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG 2005

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by valchiriawine
December 2010

Montauto Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2007

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by peterpete
December 2010

Montauto Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2006

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No written review

Wine review by peterpete
August 2010

Vernaccia di San Gimignano-Vigna Santa Margherita-Docg Panizzi 2008

Snoothrank:

Love the grassiness with a hint of weight to it. Dry with just a touch of honey. Killed it with Shrimp and Melon ceviche at Pizzeria Mozza in LA Read More

Wine review by jasonkauf
August 2010

Abbazia Monte Oliveto Vernaccia Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2009

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by luca chevalier

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