Italian Wine - Vernaccia

With Ciro Pirone

2010 Castello di Montauto, Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG (Tuscany) Estimated price $15.99

Why study Italian wines? Italy and France are the largest wine producing areas in the world. Knowing Italian wines is considered essential to a well-rounded knowledge of the wines of the world.

Wines in Europe are named after the town or area they are from and not the varietals or grapes they are made with. San Gimignano is a beautiful medieval town south of Siena in Tuscany. At one point it was called the medieval Manhattan for the incredible amount of towers built between the 12th and 13th century. The most important local variety is a white grape called Vernaccia (from the Latin word Vernaculus, meaning local or indigenous). The earliest recorded mention of the wine appear in the archives of record of San Gimignano from 1276. The wine is characteristically dry with crisp acidity and a slightly bitter finish. Modern winemaking has introduced the use of oak aging to give the wine another layer of complexity and roundness.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano was the first Italian white wine to be awarded the DOC status in 1966. The DOC system began in 1963, seeking to establish a method of both recognizing quality product and maintaining the international and national reputation of that product.
                                                                      
This wine was produced by Castello di Montauto, a gorgeous estate owned by the Cecchi family of the Chianti Classico. The 2010 Vernaccia features a blend of 90% Vernaccia and 10% Sauvignon Blanc. The harvest took place in the first half of September, and then the grapes were vinified in stainless steel tanks. On the nose it offers a very elegant bouquet of white flowers, citrus and yellow apple notes. The palate is clean, crisp and refreshing with all the elements well bonded together. Great as an aperitif , to accompany a fish crudo or shellfish.
Ciro Pirone, Italian wine expert, has traveled and worked in Italy, England and the US. In Boston he continued his wine studies at Boston University and the International Sommelier Guild.

Since graduating from the Istituto Alberghiero (Hotel and Restaurant Management school) di Salerno in 1994, Ciro has traveled and worked in Italy, England and the US. Wine is always been an incredible passion for him, especially because growing up in Italy, wine was always a very important part of  family meals, and it was there he learned to respect and love it.Although Italy is always in his heart, in 1999 he moved to the USA permanently.  In Boston he continued his wine studies at Boston University, the International Sommelier Guild and WSET.Currently he has the position of Director of Italian Wines for Horizon Beverage Group.