Tuscany's only white wine DOCG in the medieval tower town of San Gimignano in the Sienese hills, producing Vernaccia — an indigenous variety of uncertain origin (possibly of Greek descent, despite the name's Latin root) on sandstone, clay, and tufa soils. The best Vernaccia di San Gimignano wines — particularly reserve bottlings and late-harvest versions — demonstrate an unexpected complexity and mineral depth. The ordinary commercial wine is a simple tourist aperitif; the serious producers reveal a distinctive, slightly bitter mineral character that pairs beautifully with Tuscan food.
| Year | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | — | Outstanding Vernaccia vintage; sandstone and tufa soils produced wines of extraordinary mineral precision and the characteristic bitter almond finish. |
| 2021 | — | Classic vintage; the Sienese hills' limestone and clay produced wines of excellent natural freshness and varietal expression. |
| 2020 | — | Benchmark year; Panizzi Vigna Santa Margherita and Montenidoli produced internationally acclaimed Vernaccia of genuine depth. |
| 2019 | — | Outstanding vintage; Vernaccia Riserva wines showed unexpected complexity and aging potential from the best sites. |
| 2018 | — | Solid vintage; the bitter almond and mineral character of Vernaccia was particularly expressive in the cooler conditions. |