Sienna, IT DOCG
100% Vernaccia
We discovered winemaker Renato Spanu, his wife Nadia Betti, and Azienda Agricola LA LASTRA in San Gimignano during an afternoon walk from the villa we rented in Siena, Italy. On a whim, we asked if we could schedule a wine tasting, and much to our surprise and good fortune, Renato was about to begin one with a couple from Germany. What a delightful experience it was, tasting his wines and learning about his deep passion for the land, organic farming, winemaking, and experiencing his incredible hospitality.
Renato makes very good, moderately priced wines from native grapes such as Vernaccia, Canaiolo Nero, and Sangiovese. We particularly enjoyed the Vernaccia di San Gimignano. Fast forward six years, and my wife and I are out to dinner at a new, unofficially open restaurant. As I glance through the 18-20 wines listed, the very last one is La Lastra’s Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
Pale golden yellow straw color, with notes of orange-lime citrus, minerals, and floral hints. Nice concentration of stone fruit, good acidity complemented by a fruit-forward tartness, with a long, crisp finish.
$18