What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of wines from Tuscany? Probably famous reds like Chianti, Brunello or Montepulciano. But there are some delicious white wines produced in Tuscany, as well. In fact, it’s home to Vernaccia di San Gimignano, a totally white wine appellation that is designated with Italy’s highest quality classification called Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG). Wines from this DOCG must contain at least 85% vernaccia grapes grown in the appellation. Below is a comparison of a Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine with a white made from vermentino, another popular grape in Tuscany.
Toscolo 2021 Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Italy
Bought • The Wine Merchant, 7817 Forsyth Boulevard, in June for $14.99
Description • The Toscolo winery, which is located in Santa Lucia, was founded in 1988 by highly regarded importers Neil and Maria Empson, and its winemaker is the prominent Franco Bernabei. Aromatic and delicate, this is an elegant light-bodied white that’s very easy to drink. It’s a refreshing wine that has a zesty acidity and tastes of orchard fruits with lots of lemon with a touch of almond. It can be enjoyed on its own and makes for a lovely summer sipper. It also pairs well with seafood, salads and other light dishes.
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Nittardi 2021 BEN Vermentino, Maremma Toscana, Italy
Bought • The Wine Merchant, 7817 Forsyth Boulevard, in June for $14.99
Description • The Nittardi winery is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico red wine region, and it has vineyards there and in the Maremma, where its vermentino grapes grow about five miles from the Tyrrhenian Sea. BEN, which is short for the Italian forename Beniamino, became Nittardi’s first Maremma white wine when introduced in 2012. Medium-bodied with a rich mouthfeel, it tastes of peaches and tropical fruit with notes of citrus and saline. It would go well with fish, chicken and pasta with white sauce.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch lists the best-reviewed wines of 2022. The list has been divided into sparkling, white and red wines.
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