2016 La Lastra Vernaccia di San Gimigiano

Region: Tuscany < Italy
Grapes: 98% Vernaccia di San Gimignano, 2% Trebbiano Toscana and Malvasia Bianca Lunga del Chianti
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Biodynamic farming; clay soil with calcareous seashells; fermented and aged in stainless steel; 12.5% ABV
Winemaker: Enrico Paternoster

Tuscany is not known for exciting white wines, mostly because they rely upon the ubiquitous and boring local varieties of Trebbiano and Malvasia. But the relatively rare Vernaccia clone that thrives near San Gimignano, when treated nicely and comes from the ancient seabed soils ripe with chunky calcified shells, is full of character, brightness, and huge minerality – and can age. Thus its 800-year reign as Tuscany’s most (and honestly, only) important white. This pretty wine is pure and aromatic, with good structure, balance, and tension. You get bright and zippy floral and citrus notes with almond, salinity (hello seashells!) and intense, rock-licking minerality on the finish (freshens things up and cleans the palate!) Meet your all-purpose, go-to, budget-friendly food wine!