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Thursday, April 28, 2011

Wine Tasting - Gattavecchi Vernaccia di San Gimignano

"Wine is a living liquid containing no preservatives. Its life cycle comprises youth, maturity, old age, and death. When not treated with reasonable respect it will sicken and die."
 -- Julia Child

My sincere wishes of health, happiness and hope to all!

At the April 17th "The Wines of Tuscany" class which Tiffany and I attended there was but a single bottle of white wine served.  This bottle of fermented Vernaccia grape provided a most delightful segue to the beautiful bold reds of Tuscany.  It was indeed the perfect prelude to a wonderful afternoon of wine tasting! 

Point Score A:  86
Point Score B:  85

Gattavecchi Vernaccia di San Gimignano

Appellation:  Italy, Tuscany, San Gimignano, Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Grape Varietal(s):  Vernaccia
Other:  DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita)
Retail Price:  $13.99
Vintage:  Sorry.  Did not make note of the year.  (Shame on Chucky!)
Producer:  Cantina Gattavecchi 

Tasting sheets as follows.

Review A
Review B


This white wine selection has Reviewer A and Reviewer B differing somewhat.  For those areas which we seem to differ there are equal amount where we found common ground.  However, as I have stressed countless times before, there is no right or wrong answer.  Individuality is what makes us all so beautiful!

The vintner's website reads as follows:

"Production Area:  San Gimignano
 Grape Varieties:  Vernaccia di San Gimignano 100%
 Soil:  Mixtures of clay and yellow sand.
 Vine Training:  Guyot and straight-line spurred tying (Cordone Speronato) - 4,400 vinestocks per hectare.  Average age of vines:  20 - 25 years.
 Production Per Hectare:  7 tons.
 Microclimate:  Moderate temperatures throughout the year create favorable microclimatic conditions.  Excellent exposure promotes ripening and helps maintain the structure of the grapes until harvesting.
 Vinification and Refining:  The grapes are carefully pressed using a special, horizontal press, and the temperature is kept low at all times during static decantation of the must.  "White fermentation" occurs over a period of about 12 days at a temperature that never exceeds 18-degrees Celsius.  The wine is then aged in stainless steel, where it is readied for bottling.
 Organoleptic Characteristics:  The color is straw yellow with hints of gold.  Its bouquet is intense and penetrating.  The flavor is harmonious, with a characteristic bitter almond finish. Given its unique structure, it is one of the few whites that benefits from a brief ageing.  Ideal with antipasto, risotto, white meats, and all fish dishes.  Serving temperature is 10 to 12-degrees Celsius."

According to Reviewer B, this is one of those wine selections when allowed to sit and breathe for a few minutes enhances the overall experience.  My sympathies go out to those who chug-a-lug their wine.  Wine is meant to be sipped and savored, not guzzled.  If you must quickly drink your wine then it's bad wine.  And, if it's bad wine it should not be drank at all.  Psst... Don't necessarily discount bad wine because it can sometimes be used as killer vinegar in cooking. 

Hi-dee hi-dee white-wine-can-be-fine-ho my friend.

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