The Preview of 2012 Vernaccia di San Gimignano Touches Excellence

 

The first mention of Vernaccia wine dates back to 1276 - Today Vernaccia is only grown and produced in and around the San Gimignano in Tuscany.

The town of San Gimignano is a beautiful walled, medieval town and has been declared a UNESCO heritage site.  This picturesque village has been a major filming location for over thirty movies including Tea With Mussolini with Maggie Smith and Judi Dench.

Since the Renaissance period Vernaccia di San Gimignano has been considered to be one of Italy's finest white wines. It was the first Italian wine to be awarded Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) status in 1966 and on July 9th, 1993 it was upgraded to Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG).

The Vernaccia appellation about 850 hectares and is planted on Pliocene hilly terrains of an average altitude of 280 M ASL; the soil types are primarily sandy clay and yellow sand.

 

I enjoyed walking through San Gimignano, savoring the historic atmosphere and the beautiful dramatic architecture. I made my way to the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art De Grada, Via Folgore 11, San Gimignano to attend the annual tasting of Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

In attendance were over thirty-eight Vernaccia producers, Italian wine journalists, Circle of Wine Writers (UK), FIJEV, and the general public.

For wine journalists there was a room reserved for technical tasting, complete with sommelier service, and for the general public, tasting tables were set up throughout the gallery. I decided to walk through the gallery first to meet some of the growers or their representatives and eventually made my way to the journalists tasting room.

The organizer, Consorzio della Denominazione San Gimignano confirmed the 2012 production was down 11% from 2011, and quality was not affected by the hot and dry summer of 2012.

I had opportunity to taste over seventy-five labels of the 2012 vintage and some 2011 reserve wines. 

This powerful, full-bodied, dry crisp white wine characteristically offers aromas and flavors ranging from mint, almond, floral, herbal notes, lime, hints of mineral and spice, and lingers long on the palate.

I found the reserves of 2011 Vernaccia showed a greater complexity, richness and more balance.

I found the 2012 Vernaccia to be overall fragrant, fine and elegant – touches excellence.

 

Producers Represented: Farmers of the Chianti Geographic, Cà del Vispo, Canneta, Cantina Sociale di Certaldo, Cellars Drive, Chapel of St. Andrew, the Dairy House, House Falchini, Cesani, Farm Abbey of Monte Oliveto, Fontaleoni, Fornacelle, furnaces, Colombaio di Santa Chiara, The Lebbio, The Palagione The Castellaccia La Lastra, The Mormoraia, Lucii Libanius Macinatico, Melini, Montenidoli, Panizzi, Pietrafitta, Paradise Farms, Poggio Alloro, Rubicini, St. Benedict, St. Donato, San Quirico, Signano, Tenuta Le Calcinaie, Tenuta La Vigna, Estates Guicciardini Strozzi, Teruzzi & Puthod Torre Prima, Vagnoni.