Set in the Tuscan hills, the medieval town of San Gimignano, known for its picturesque towers that recall a rich and flourishing past, is also famous for a priceless oenological treasure: the Vernaccia di San Gimignano. This wine, the first to receive Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) status in 1966 and later promoted to Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) in 1993, encapsulates Tuscan history, tradition and winemaking art.
The aroma of Vernaccia di San Gimignano is fine, delicate, with floral and fruity notes and sometimes hints of minerals and spices, the result of the particular soil composition and exposure of the vineyards. On the palate, it is dry, fresh, harmonious, with a characteristic and elegant vein of acidity, which makes it unmistakable.
Pairing and tasting
Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a versatile wine, ideal as an aperitif but also excellent with fish dishes, seafood, white meats and fresh cheeses. Its freshness and acidity make it particularly suitable for balancing dishes even of a certain unctuousness and flavor.
In addition to classic pairings, this wine pairs perfectly with Tuscan cuisine and its authentic flavors, from crostini with livers to farro soup, enhancing each dish with its sophistication.
A historical journey
Vernaccia di San Gimignano boasts a history dating back thousands of years, evidenced by documents attesting to its existence since the 13th century. Its name, “Vernaccia,” probably comes from the Latin “vernaculus,” meaning “local,” “of the place,” thus testifying to the intimate connection between this wine and its territory of origin. Over the centuries, Vernaccia di San Gimignano has been able to win over illustrious palates, from Dante Alighieri, who mentioned it in the Divine Comedy, to Michelangelo Buonarroti, who called it not only an agricultural product, but a true cultural symbol of the region.
Characteristics and production
Vernaccia di San Gimignano is made exclusively from the Vernaccia grapes grown in the clay, sandy soils rich in marine fossils that characterize the area around San Gimignano. This unique terroir, together with winemaking techniques that combine tradition and innovation, results in a wine with a brilliant straw yellow color, with golden highlights that become more pronounced with aging.
An invitation to discovery
Vernaccia di San Gimignano represents an invitation to discover the rich food and wine heritage of Tuscany. Visiting San Gimignano, walking its medieval streets and tasting a glass of Vernaccia in the area’s many wineries and wine shops, offers an experience that goes beyond simply tasting a wine: it is a journey through time and tradition, an immersion in a landscape and culture that have few equals in the world.
The Riserva L’Albereta Colombaio di Santa Chiara plays a relevant role, standing out as a masterpiece of complexity and elegance. Its aesthetic vision is manifested through a lustrous straw yellow color with golden highlights, heralding the richness and depth of its character. Each sip takes you back to the ancient rows, where the relationship between land and vine translates into fragrances of ripe fruit and balsamic accents, without forgetting that unforgettable touch of wood given by careful aging. Its presence on the palate is stately, a perfect balance between structure and freshness, where acidity not only supports but enhances its qualities, giving vitality and promising a fascinating path of maturation over time. Vernaccia di San Gimignano Riserva L’Albereta is, therefore, not only a witness but a protagonist of San Gimignano’s oenological excellence, honoring the history and work of those in that territory who have been able to listen and transform the virtues of the land into a nectar that excites and tells.
One of the highest expressions of Vernaccia can also be found in the Riserva Guicciardini Strozzi, which sports a deep straw yellow color with golden tendencies. This wine enchants the nose with a complex and rich bouquet: floral notes of broom and jasmine are delicately intertwined with a slight hint of ripe wood, the result of expert aging. On the palate, it reveals itself to be full-bodied, warm and enveloping, with a taste persistence that makes it a testament to the winemaking excellence of the San Gimignano area.
Overall, Vernaccia di San Gimignano is not just a wine, but an emblem of Italian quality, tradition and beauty, capable of transporting anyone to a dimension of authentic taste and history.
