The colour is medium straw. On the nose marzipan and vanilla ice cream, with some lemon. In the mouth savoury and fresh, with a citrusy finish. The aftertaste last for quite a while. A very elegant wine that evolves in the glass. An uncommon feature for a white wine.
Since I reviewed a 6 EUR Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG I bought at the supermarket, I’ve been curious to taste a more upscale version (www.thelovedwine.com/fattoria-il-palagio-vernaccia-di-san-giminiano-2017). I got a chance to do it during my last wine-discovery-vacation with my son. This time we focused on Bolgheri and Chianti Classico in Tuscany. On the way we stopped in San Gimignano, a charming medieval town I first visited with my wife during our honeymoon. My son was already with us, but still in the mother’s womb.
When it comes to Vernaccia, in San Gimignano there is obviously plenty of choices: from 5 to 30 EUR. I decided to buy one of the most expensive options available. For this bottle produced by Montenidoli I paid 27 EUR. Still fairly cheap compared to a neighbouring shop that was selling the same bottle for 32.50 EUR and to the online price of 31.50 EUR.
The wine is made with 100% Vernaccia. Only 6’000 bottles are produced. The free run juice ferments in barriques. At first, I was afraid I went too far, because the wine reminded me more of an outstanding Chardonnay of France than an autochthonous grape variety of Italy. With time I concluded that this wine may indeed be a bit too French, but that it offers a good price/quality ratio.
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Grapes: Vernaccia di San Giminiano
Type: White
Vintage: 2016
Producer: Montenidoli
Price range: Medium (15-30 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 4/5