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San Gimignano DOC

and its characteristics

San Gimignano DOC and its characteristics

The San Gimignano DOC production regulations envisage the use of the term “Riserva” for its six red wines if they undergo at least 24 months of ageing, including at least seven in wooden barrels.

The six types of San Gimignano DOC red wines envisaged by the regulations have a more or less deep, intense ruby red colour which tends towards garnet as it ages. Depending on the type, they have delicate, intense, varietal and spicy aromas; they have a good structure, are persistent and lend themselves well to ageing, especially San Gimignano DOC Riserva.
The blends, vinification, refinement and ageing techniques enable the production of wines with unique and recognisable characteristics.
The different terroirs characterise each individual wine, but savouriness and ageing capacity are peculiarities common to the different types of San Gimignano DOC red wines.

San Gimignano DOC rosso (minimum 50% Sangiovese, up to a maximum of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Pinot Noir grapes, alone or together, with up to a maximum of 15% other non-aromatic red grapes suited to cultivation in the Tuscany region).

San Gimignano DOC Sangiovese (minimum 85% Sangiovese and up to 15% other non-aromatic red grapes suited to cultivation in the Tuscany region).

San Gimignano DOC Cabernet Sauvignon (minimum 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and up to 15% other non-aromatic red grapes suited to cultivation in the Tuscany region).

San Gimignano DOC Merlot (minimum 85% Merlot and up to 15% other non-aromatic red grapes suited to cultivation in the Tuscany region).

San Gimignano DOC Pinot Nero(minimum 85% Pinot Noir and up to 15% other non-aromatic red grapes suited to cultivation in the Tuscany region).

San Gimignano DOC Syrah (minimum 85% Syrah and up to 15% other non-aromatic red grapes suited to cultivation in the Tuscany region).

Protection and Registration of Collective Marks, Market Surveillance Activities

The Consortium is responsible for the control of products for sale on the market: it takes samples of wines on the market and verifies their effective correspondence, also analytical, with the requirements established by the respective production specifications.

Faced with the numerous attempts at plagiarism and usurpation of protected wine names that have occurred in recent years, the Consortium, also thanks to the financial support of the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies, has set in motion a path aimed at creating a legally unimpeachable system for safeguarding the names, also at an international level. The final stage of this path is the registration of Vernaccia di San Gimignano as a collective trademark in many countries around the world.

Pairings and serving temperature

San Gimignano DOC Rosso, Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah pair very well with traditional Tuscan foods and dishes: charcuterie, mature and medium-mature hard cheeses, pasta dishes with structured sauces, red meats and game accompanied by sauces made with mushrooms and truffles.
San Gimignano DOC Pinot Nero is exciting when drunk with traditional Tuscan fish dishes: from Cacciucco to fish stews.
San Gimignano DOC Riserva wines are also the perfect after-dinner drink.
Serving temperature of around 18-20°C.

Other wines from the area

In addition to the above wines, the San Gimignano DOC regulates the production and characteristics of the following local wines:

San Gimignano DOC Rosato

minimo 50% Sangiovese, minimum 50% Sangiovese, up to a maximum of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Pinot Noir grapes, alone or together, with up to a maximum of 15% other non-aromatic red grapes suited to cultivation in the Tuscany region.

The colour of San Gimignano DOC Rosato ranges from pale pink to deep pink. It is clear and bright. Presenting floral and fruity aromas, it is an elegant, harmonious and smooth wine.
Fantastic as an aperitif, it pairs very well with fried vegetables and fish, with mild, delicate cheeses and white meats.
Serving temperature of around 10-12°C.

San Gimignano DOC Vinsanto 

Trebbiano Toscano min: 30%; up to a maximum of 50% Malvasia del Chianti may be used; up to a maximum of 20% Vernaccia di San Gimignano may be used; up to a maximum of 10% other white grapes suitable for cultivation in the Tuscany region may be used in the production of this wine.

San Gimignano DOC Vinsanto occhio di pernice 

Sangiovese min: 50%; up to a maximum of 50% other grapes suitable for cultivation in the Tuscany region may be used in the production of this wine.

San Gimignano DOC Vinsanto is deep yellow and even golden in colour. It is clear, with fruity aromas, especially of dried fruit, and is smooth and velvety on the palate. San Gimignano DOC Vinsanto Occhio di pernice, on the other hand, ranges in colour from pale to deep pink, topaz, to amber, with fruity, delicate, warm, characteristic aromas; it is smooth, rounded, and velvety on the palate.

Vinsanto is traditionally paired with desserts, biscuits and dry pastries (cantuccini, ricciarelli, etc.). Pairings with dried fruit and mature cheeses accompanied by jams and honey are very interesting. It is also worth trying with pâté and meat terrines. And don’t forget to serve Vinsanto at the end of a meal.
Serving temperature of 18-20°C.

In addition to Vernaccia, red wines and an excellent Vinsanto have been produced in the San Gimignano area for many centuries.