Vernaccia and wines from the Val d’Elsa area

The Vernaccia di San Gimignano represents one of the milestones of Tuscan wine-making, the first national wine to be conferred the Denominazione di Origine Controllata, (Appellation of Controlled Origin) in 1966 (DOC, becoming then also “Garantita” (Guaranteed), or DOCG, in the summer of 1993). The Vernaccia is a very common grape which is cultivated across many wine-growing areas of the peninsula, from Liguria to Sardinia, passing through the Marche. Its name probably derives from the Latin term vernaculum, which meant “native of the place” an aspect which certainly does not help to retrace the effective area of origin. Etymological thesis aside, there’s no doubt that the Vernaccia produced in the countryside around San Gimignano in the Siena area, has found an ideal place to fully develop its characteristics as a variety and reveal a notable capacity for aging. With a pleasant floral and slightly fruity scent and a bitterish aftertaste which is to a certain extent the distinctive sign of this variety of vine, the Vernaccia is excellent not only with fish and seafood dishes but also with white meat such as chicken and rabbit. It can also be enjoyed with slightly matured cheeses.

Source: www.intoscana.it