The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Tuscany

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San Gimignano DOC

IL PROGETTODOCSAN GIMIGNANOAAIT31100601Denominazione di Origine Controllata

No strip issued. I'm still hunting a bottle.

The town is famous for its white Vernaccia, which carries a separate DOCG; this DOC covers everything else the same estates make, chiefly Sangiovese-based reds, rosato and Vin Santo. The reds are firm and dry in a Chianti mold: sour cherry, dried herbs, tobacco, medium-plus acidity and grippy tannin, sometimes softened with Merlot or Cabernet. Most of the well-known Vernaccia houses (Cesani, Panizzi, Montenidoli, Il Colombaio di Santa Chiara) make a red or a Vin Santo under this DOC, though many still prefer Toscana IGT for their top reds.

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If you make San Gimignano, import it, or know who does, the form takes two minutes and I reply to every one.

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Bottles I'm chasing

  • Cesani

    San Gimignano Rosso Luenzo

    Sangiovese with Colorino and a little Cabernet from a well-regarded organic family estate; black cherry, cocoa, dried herbs, firm tannin.

    $28 to $35Wine-Searcher

  • Panizzi

    San Gimignano Rosso Riserva Folgore

    The town's most polished Vernaccia house also makes a Sangiovese-based riserva; plum, leather, tobacco and a long, tannic finish.

    $35 to $45Wine-Searcher

  • Il Colombaio di Santa Chiara

    San Gimignano Vin Santo

    Traditional Vin Santo from Malvasia and Trebbiano; dried apricot, walnut, caramel, oxidative and nutty; rare in the US.

    $40 to $55Wine-Searcher