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Vernaccia is a type of grape that grows almost everywhere in Italy.
San Gimignano is a lovely medieval hilltop town in Tuscany.
When was Vernaccia born?
In 1966 Vernaccia di San Gimignano was the first Italian wine to attain the DOCG "Denominazione di Origine Controllata" (Denomination of Controlled Origin). This was a new boost to production, which grew progressively in quantity and quality.
In 1993 it obtained the Docg (Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin), the highest recognition of the Italian legislation currently in force.
What makes Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine great? Undoubtedly the terroir
Terroir means the soil from which the vines and grapes draw minerals and, therefore, the aromas. The land in this area is full of fossils and thus is composed of Pliocene soil and clay - shells and remains of the ancient Ligurian Sea that lapped the peaks of Tuscany. The mineral composition gives the wine a typically dry taste, crunchy acidity, and a slightly bitter finish.
The color changes from pale straw yellow to golden with aging. It is served fresh (12 ° C) and goes well with first courses in white sauces, fried dishes (anchovies), fish, eggs, and white meats. It could be fit also as an aperitif!
This land full of calcareous sediments is the best for creating vigorous and mineral white wines.
Annata
This is the entry-quality version of Vernaccia, the most common among many wine producers and maybe the only wine they produce. Usually, the "Annata" type doesn't age in oak.
This Vernaccia wine is labeled with the name of the DOCG; these wines are typically crisp and light and often end up with a captivating hint of bitterness, which reminds a dry almost and makes them very suitable for food but less useful as an aperitif.
Selezione
This Italian word could be translated into "selection," meaning to select, as in an established vineyard, sometimes with minor aging or different production methods to improve the taste of the grapes that will soon become wine.
Generally, "selezione" wines have more density without being heavy and a greater complexity together with a fascinating texture.
Riserva
These are aged for a further year and almost always undergo fermentation and barrel aging. As a result, the angular verve of "annata" or "selezione" is replaced by a roundness that can border on heaviness in the wrong hands.