Walled City in Tuscany San Gimignano

Walled City in Tuscany and one of the most beautiful places to visit. San Gimignano is a small walled medieval hill town in the province of Siena and known as the Town of Fine Towers. The “Historic Centre of San Gimignano” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rises on top of a hill 334m above sea level, clearly visible in the distance with its many wonderful towers. Today 13 towers remain of the 72 towers of the fourteenth century when every well-off family built a tower to show its economic power (many of them are still visible in the buildings, even if they were cut off).

The Municipality of San Gimignano has 8,000 inhabitants and lives on agriculture, thanks to the production of Vernaccia di San Gimignano white wine, obtained from the ancient variety of Vernaccia, grapes that are grown on the sandstone hills of the area, and thriving farm activity.

Tuscany is rightly known in the world of wine for its reds, and the San Gimignano area boasts the denomination DOCG (Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin), made from white grapes. Here the excellent Vernaccia di San Gimignano wines are produced. Some wineries produce sparkling Vernaccia as well. An excellent and representative example is that of Metodo Classico Millesimato (Traditional Method Vintage), produced by Falchini winery, a wine of incredible complexity.

The Disciplinary provides for producing grapes with at least 85% of the Vernaccia di San Gimignano grapes, allowing a maximum presence of 15% of other non-aromatic white varieties, suitable for cultivation for the Tuscany Region and exclusively in the municipal area of San Gimignano. Vines such as Traminer, Muller Thurgau, Moscato Bianco, Malvasia di Candia, Malvasia Istriana, and Incrocio Bruni 54 are not allowed, while the Sauvignon and Riesling vines can be used up to a maximum of 10%.

With the best grapes, Vernaccia di San Gimignano Riserva is obtained, for which there is a minimum ageing period of 11 months in the cellar (in stainless steel or oak vessels) and an ageing period of at least three months in the bottle before being released. Even the yield per hectare does not exceed 9,000 kg.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a wine with a fine and delicate taste, with fruit and flowers scents when young, up to considerable complexity, as recently demonstrated by a well-known winery Colombaio di Santa Chiara with its Cru Campo della Pieve produced in the 2011 vintage. I was lucky enough to taste it these days (this summer, I tried the incredible 2014) and was surprised by its complexity and ageing potential.

So about the winery Colombaio di Santa Chiara and if you plan to stop in San Gimignano, I recommend you do it at the “Locanda dei Logi “. A very recently and completely renewed structure, a few incredibly elegant rooms with attention to the smallest details, and above all, the warm, excellent hospitality. So you can meet three brothers, winery owners Giampiero, Stefano and Alessio, who personally take care of both the production and hospitality. They own a picturesque private church as well.

New Vernaccia vintages are presented every year in February at the Anteprima Vernaccia di San Gimignano preview. An event not to be missed not just for professionals, but also it is a brilliant opportunity to visit this splendid and fascinating town.

The territory around the city is also known for producing highly prized saffron. Since 2005, the Zafferano di San Gimignano is the first European saffron to have been certified DOP (protected origin) by the EEC.

In July last year, I was lucky enough to be invited to the local barbecue party called “girarrosto” of the San Matteo district. In a carefree atmosphere of conviviality, I could appreciate the irresistible flavours of tradition.

San Gimignano is one of the most visited cities in Italy. An unmissable stop on the route between Florence and Siena. Enjoy the tower’s majesty, the charm of the narrow passages, stunning views, small typical shops and craft products such as hand-painted ceramics, or food specialities like wild boar. With its many museums and art galleries, San Gimignano has so much to offer.

Typical bars, well-stocked wine shops, and restaurants, and I cannot name the CumQuibus, a recent Michelin star restaurant. It was renowned in time for its excellent typical cuisine. Obviously, the style has changed with the Michelin star, but however questionable some stars may be, CumQuibus fully deserve it. Great interpretation of tradition.

A city I visit every time I get the chance. A place where time slows down, and in those moments, you can savour life in its fullness and authentic beauty.

Sparkling Life focuses on Italian food and wine excellence, trying to spread its culture and lifestyle.