The Vernaccia
Grape
Best known for Vernaccia di San Gimignano, a white grape variety from Tuscany, Italy, producing crisp, dry wines with a notable acidity and flavors of green apple, pear, and almond, often with a mineral undertone. Vernaccia di San Gimignano was the first wine to receive DOC status in Italy in 1966, highlighting its significance and quality.
Vernaccia
Grape History
Vernaccia is a white wine grape variety with a long and storied history, particularly in Italy. The name Vernaccia comes from the Italian word for "vernacular," indicating its longstanding presence in the country. This ancient grape variety is believed to have originated in the Tuscany region of Italy, where it has been cultivated for centuries.
Vernaccia is perhaps most famous for its connection to the Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine, which is produced in the small medieval town of San Gimignano in Tuscany. This wine is one of Italy's first DOC wines (Denominazione di Origine Controllata), receiving this designation in 1966. Vernaccia di San Gimignano is known for its crisp acidity, mineral notes, and a distinct citrus and almond flavor profile.
In addition to being the star of Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Vernaccia is also grown in other regions of Italy, such as Sardinia and Umbria. The grape is highly adaptable to different terroirs, making it a versatile choice for winemakers looking to produce fresh and lively white wines.
Where Vernaccia truly shines is in its ability to produce high-quality, age-worthy wines. Vernaccia-based wines are often barrel-aged, which adds complexity and depth to the final product. These wines can develop rich honeyed notes and a beautiful nutty character over time, making them a favorite among wine enthusiasts.
Looking towards the future, Vernaccia has the potential to gain more international recognition and popularity. As consumers continue to explore lesser-known grape varieties and unique wine regions, Vernaccia stands out as a distinctive choice. Its versatility, ability to age, and complex flavor profile make it a grape to watch in the evolving world of wine.
In conclusion, Vernaccia is a grape with a rich history, a bright future, and a unique flavor profile that sets it apart from other white wine varieties. Whether enjoyed young and fresh or aged to perfection, Vernaccia wines offer a taste of Italy's winemaking heritage and a glimpse into the country's vinicultural future.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel