Category: Wine News

Exploring Three Unique Vernaccia di San Gimignano Wineries

As part of the 2025 Regina Ribelle – Vernaccia di San Gimignano Wine Fest, I set out to explore three significant wine estates:  Teruzzi, Poderi Arcangelo, and Il Palagione. Each winery presents a compelling narrative of terroir expression, sustainable viticulture, and the enduring legacy of Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Tuscany’s iconic white wine and the first Italian white to receive DOCG status.

Vernaccia

Vernaccia is a varietal that holds a unique position in the Italian wine lexicon. This grape variety, cultivated almost exclusively in the San Gimignano area, produces Tuscany’s only DOCG-classified white wine. Its hallmark lies in its vibrant acidity, floral aromatics, and mineral depth.

Grape & Vinification: The Vernaccia grape is gently pressed and fermented at low temperatures to preserve its delicate aromatic compounds.

Aging Regulations: Vernaccia di San Gimignano Riserva DOCG requires a minimum aging of 11 months in the cellar and 3 months in bottle before release.

Organoleptic Profile: Typically, light to medium-bodied, this wine expresses crisp citrus notes, golden apple, and a distinctive bitter almond finish.

General Tasting Notes: Floral and citrus aromas, with nuances of pear, herbs, and minerality. The palate is marked by freshness, structured acidity, and a long, saline finish.

Optimal Serving Temperature: Chilled between 8°C for an aperitivo and 12°C with meals to highlight either freshness or textural complexity.

Teruzzi: A Vanguard of Vernaccia Innovation

Teruzzi, founded in 1974 by Enrico Teruzzi and his wife Carmen, is today owned by Terra Moretti. The estate spans 180 hectares, with 96 under vine, including 62 dedicated to Vernaccia. This makes Teruzzi the largest estate dedicated to Vernaccia. Teruzzi blends advanced winemaking technology with deep respect for San Gimignano’s traditions.

Their vineyards are planted at varying elevations and have a variety of soil compositions, contributing to complex and age-worthy wines. Teruzzi’s flagship, Terre di Tufi, a white Toscana IGT blend, is considered a “Super Tuscan Bianco” and is emblematic of the estate’s modern vision. I found that their Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG “Isola Bianca” stood out for its mineral-driven profile, citrus blossom aromatics, with saline finish, highlighting the varietal’s capacity for structure and finesse.

With state-of-the-art vinification equipment and a commitment to sustainable practices, Teruzz exemplifies how tradition and technology can harmoniously co-exist. The wine estate produces high-quality wines while respecting the local heritage and ancient history of Tuscany’s great winemaking tradition. Teruzzi epitomizes the vision of the Moretti family, a commitment to advancing estates with a strong place of origin, heritage, nobility and personality, like that of San Gimignano!

Teruzzi Website: https://www.teruzzi.it

Tasting Notes:

2019 Teruzzi ‘Isola Bianca’ Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG
Fruity notes on the nose, integrated with a strong mineral presence. On the palate, the wine is fresh and structured with a floral backbone, citrus lift, and a persistent almond-tinged finish.

Score: 92/100
Liz Palmer

Poderi Arcangelo: A Sustainable Family-Run Estate

This family-owned estate operates under a holistic organic model that integrates vineyard biodiversity, agritourism, and farm-to-table cuisine. Poderi Arcangelo blends Tuscany’s agrarian past with a modern commitment to sustainability. Nestled atop a hill, surrounded by organic vineyards and olive groves, the estate is a winery and offers agritourism that including glamping, three farmhouses, and an organic barn. They are known for their organic wines, extra virgin olive oil, and commitment to sustainability, offering guests a chance to experience the authentic side of Tuscany, including truffle hunting with the estate’s dog. They also offer wine tastings and cooking classes and feature a restaurant serving traditional Tuscan cuisine.

Following a guided vineyard and cellar tour, we enjoyed a light lunch paired with estate wines overlooking the rolling Chianti hills. It is also interesting to note that their Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG is produced from organically grown grapes and fermented in stainless steel to preserve the purity of fruit and terroir. I found in most of their Vernaccia di San Gimignano notes of golden apple, acacia, and wet stone – a perfect match for the regional dishes!

Website: https://www.poderiarcangelo.it

Tasting Notes:

Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG ‘Primo Angelo’ 2024
Pale straw yellow. A penetrating and delicate aroma with notes of fresh fruit and white wildflowers. Dry, fresh, and full-bodied with excellent aromatic persistence. Characteristic almond bitterness in the finish.

Score: 92/100
Liz Palmer

My day concluded with a visit to Il Palagione, an artisanal estate producing high-elevation Vernaccia di San Gimignano. The wine estate is located between 300 and 350 meters above sea level. The vineyards benefit from optimal sun exposure and dramatic diurnal shifts, which translate to freshness and aromatic complexity in the wines.

Il Palagione: Artisanal Vernaccia and Altitude Precision

Situated on a hilltop along the road connecting San Gimignano to Volterra, Il Palagione offers panoramic views of the surrounding valley and San Gimignano.

Dating back to 1594, Il Palagione is a historic family-run estate located between 300–350 meters above sea level. The estate spans 50 hectares, of which 17 are vineyards, and focuses on organic production of Vernaccia di San Gimignano and Chianti Colli Senesi wines.

Their high-altitude vineyards and small-scale artisanal approach result in expressive, age-worthy wines. Tastings and tours are hosted in their ancient barn overlooking the Tuscan hills.

Production:

Il Palagione focuses on organic production of Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG, Vernaccia Riserva, and Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG wines, as well as extra virgin olive oil.

Il Palagione is known for producing limited quantities of Vernaccia that are expressive, textured, and cellar-worthy. The Hydra Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG stood out for me.

Website: https://www.ilpalagione.com

Tasting Notes:

Il Palagione ‘Ori’ Vernaccia di San Gimignano Riserva DOCG 2010
Poised and elegant. Notes of lemon zest, quince, poached pear. Balanced and creamy with a subtle oak finish and savory undertones. Wonderful wine 15 years later !!

Score: 94/100
Liz Palmer

My visit in San Gimignano offered more than a tasting tour; it was a masterclass in regional identity and winemaking evolution. Each estate presented its own narrative, illuminating Vernaccia’s potential as a terroir-driven, age-worthy white wine. From Teruzzi’s modern vision and large-scale innovation, to Poderi Arcangelo’s organic embrace of Tuscan tradition, and Il Palagione’s artisanal, high-altitude expression, the experience was an inspiring reminder of how deeply wine can reflect both land and legacy.

Luxembourg Develops National Strategy to Boost Wine Tourism

With 11% of Luxembourg’s overnight visitors already engaging in wine-related activities, the government is now crafting a targeted strategy to further develop the Moselle Valley’s tourism potential through coordinated sector-wide collaboration.

Luxembourg has launched efforts to develop a comprehensive wine tourism strategy, with initial consultations set to begin this week in Grevenmacher.

The initiative aims to attract more visitors to the country’s Moselle wine region through coordinated action between winemakers, cultural institutions, and hospitality stakeholders.

Over the coming months, the government will collaborate with vineyards, museums, the Federation of Hotels, Restaurants, and Bars (HORESCA), municipalities, and tourism organizations to develop a concrete action plan, slated for release by year’s end.

Gilles Estgen, the official overseeing the project, outlined key focus areas: defining clear objectives, understanding tourist expectations, and consolidating industry feedback while building on existing successes.

“We don’t need to reinvent the wheel”, Estgen emphasized, noting the Moselle Valley’s established strengths like its popular wine-tasting events. While foreign projects offer inspiration, he emphasized that solutions must be tailored to Luxembourg’s unique context.

Among new proposals, overnight stays at wineries emerged as a promising avenue – a concept that could qualify for agricultural subsidies, provided accommodations adhere to zoning laws.

Minister of Agriculture and Viticulture Martine Hansen clarified that while greenbelt construction remains prohibited, many rural wineries could adapt existing structures.

Minister of Tourism Lex Delles underscored the strategy’s broader relevance: wine-related activities engaged 11% of overnight visitors and 13% of day-trippers in 2023, signalling untapped potential for cross-sector promotion.

Sources:  RTL Today and Luxembourg Times

Experiencing The Palio di Santa Croce [Wine Barrel Rolling Race] in Suvereto – A Celebration of Wine, Heritage, and Human Endurance

On May 17th, 2025, the medieval village of Suvereto pulsed with energy, history, and the thunderous roll of wine barrels as it hosted the Palio di Santa Croce, the third qualifying stage of the prestigious Palio Nazionale delle Botti delle Città del Vino. As a wine journalist immersed in the cultural richness of Italy’s wine territories, I had the pleasure of experiencing the event firsthand alongside my esteemed colleagues Filippo Magnani (@filippomagnaniwine) and Giovanni Marotta.

This unique spectacle transformed the historic heart of Suvereto into a dynamic urban arena. Teams of “spingitori” (pushers), both men and women, competed by rolling 500-litre wooden wine barrels along a challenging route ranging from 1,200 to 1,800 meters. Far more than a physical contest, the Palio represents a vibrant fusion of athleticism, folklore, and enological identity—an ode to the enduring spirit of the Wine Cities of Italy!

The atmosphere was electric: flags waved, drums beat, and cheers echoed as teams from across the country tested their strength and strategy. The home crowd erupted with pride as Suvereto’s men’s team claimed first place, followed by Refrontolo and Castelnuovo Don Bosco. In the women’s category, San Gusmé triumphed, with Castelnuovo Don Bosco and Suvereto rounding out the podium.

This event is more than a race, it is a community celebration deeply rooted in local wine traditions, uniting generations through sport, heritage, and regional pride.  Events like these not only preserve the cultural fabric of small towns like Suvereto but also promote wine tourism in a way that is immersive, authentic, and unforgettable.

For anyone seeking a taste of Tuscany’s living history, the Palio Nazionale delle Botti delle Città del Vino is an unmissable experience, where wine barrels roll not just with speed, but with centuries of tradition.

Website for further details: https://cittadelvino.com/progetti/palio-nazionale-delle-botti-delle-citta-del-vino/

Uncovering Florence’s Wine Windows: A Journey into Florence’s Hidden Renaissance Rituals

After weeks of anticipation, I finally arrived in Florence, eager to delve into its storied wine culture, and particularly its legendary buchette del vino, or “wine windows.” These small arched openings, discreetly embedded in the façades of Renaissance-era palazzos, have long fascinated me. To experience them firsthand felt like stepping into a living fragment of wine history.

Dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, these wine windows allowed Florentine noble families to sell wine directly from their residences. The system was ingenious: it permitted private, tax-avoiding transactions and helped minimize public gatherings, an early model of socially distant commerce. These architectural curiosities reveal a narrative of ingenuity, adaptation, and an enduring passion for wine that remains central to the city’s identity.

As I wandered through Florence’s historic center, I came across several operational wine windows. At one, I was served a crisp glass of Vernaccia; at another, a bold Chianti Classico—each poured through the same arched portals that once served Florentines centuries ago. Strolling through the city and receiving wine through these charming windows was a delightful and unique experience. There’s magic in being served through a stone-framed portal once used by Medici-era merchants.

These buchette are far more than quaint historical relics. They stand as enduring emblems of Florence’s rich cultural and vinous heritage.

“Long live the Wine Windows!”

The Wine Windows Association

Founded in 2015, the Associazione Buchette del Vino (Wine Windows Association) is committed to preserving and promoting these historic features. Based in Florence, the association catalogues and maps remaining wine windows throughout the city and across Tuscany. It also supports restoration initiatives and offers educational programs through guided tours, exhibitions, and scholarly publications. Explore the map of wine windows here: https://buchettedelvino.org/home%2520eng/maps.html

Historic British Wine Merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd to Launch First U.S. Flagship in Washington, D.C.

As part of a strategic international expansion, the venerable British wine institution Berry Bros. & Rudd has announced the opening of its first bricks-and-mortar retail outlet in the United States, to be located in Washington, D.C. This significant development reflects a broader transatlantic demand for luxury British heritage brands, particularly within the fine wine and spirit’s sector.

Established in 1698, Berry Bros. & Rudd holds the distinction of being Britain’s oldest wine and spirits merchant and is internationally renowned for its longstanding affiliation with the British Royal Family. It has served as the official wine supplier to the Royal Household since the reign of King George III in 1760, a heritage that continues to enhance the brand’s reputation for excellence and tradition.

While Berry Bros. & Rudd currently maintains international offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, and its historic headquarters in St. James’s, London, the U.S. retail launch represents the firm’s first physical retail presence in North America. This move aligns with a noticeable uptick in American consumer interest in authentic British luxury products, paralleling similar expansions by iconic British brands such as Fortnum & Mason.

“This marks a key milestone in our international growth, and we look forward to serving a wider community of customers across the US” said a company spokesperson.

The Washington, D.C. location will provide curated selections of fine wines and rare spirits, underpinned by centuries of expertise and Royal endorsement, positioning the store as a premier destination for discerning American oenophiles.