Temperature, glass and food pairings: how to enjoy Vernaccia di San Gimignano at its best, the white wine that grows on our hills.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a white wine that has been drunk here for centuries. It comes from the hills around the town, where the soil and climate give it a dry, fresh character with a slightly savoury note reminiscent of the countryside. Dante mentioned it in the Purgatorio, and today it has DOCG status. We produce it on our estate, alongside our extra virgin olive oil, and it is the wine we offer guests in the cellar.
How to serve it
Vernaccia should be served cool, but not icy: around 10-12 degrees. If it comes out of the fridge too cold it loses aroma, so it is best to take it out a few minutes before pouring. A medium-sized, tulip-shaped glass helps you pick up the aromas.
What to pair it with
It is a versatile wine, and for that reason it suits many Tuscan tables and beyond. Some pairings that work:
- **Starters and bruschetta**: freshness and savouriness stand up well to a good bruschetta with new olive oil.
- **Vegetables and light soups**: they do not overpower its taste and go well alongside it.
- **Fish and shellfish**: a classic pairing for dry white wines.
- **Fresh cheeses**: a young pecorino finds a good counterpoint in Vernaccia.
- **White meats**: chicken and rabbit, cooked simply.
It is not a wine to compare with the great Tuscan reds: it is another way of being at the table, lighter and also suited to a summer dinner in the garden.
A glass for every moment
Vernaccia works well as an aperitif, when you need a wine that opens the appetite without weighing you down, and it works at lunch on a hot day with a simple dish. If you are in Tuscany in summer, try it after a morning's walk: that is when its freshness is most appreciated.
How to choose it when you buy
If you want to take a few bottles home, always ask where and how it was made. A wine from an estate that grows its own vines says a lot about the place. Tasting first helps: that is why, in the cellar, we offer three Vernaccia wines one after another, so you notice the differences and choose the one you like best.
A tasting in the cellar
We designed the tasting as a real visit: you begin in the cellar, then step out among the vineyards, then sit down to taste three Vernaccia wines and the new olive oil on bruschetta. It lasts about 2 hours, costs 25 euros per person and runs all year round.
If you are staying with us, you can arrange it during your stay. If you like, write to us through the request form with your dates and the number of people: we will tell you when there is room.