In the Italian wine landscape, few names evoke such a rich array of expressions as Vernaccia. It’s not a single grape variety nor a single style, but a mosaic of wines that spans four regions – Tuscany, Sardinia, Marche, and Umbria – each offering wines with surprisingly different character. White, red, sparkling, passito, dry or sweet: every Vernaccia is a child of its own land, a guardian of tradition, and an ambassador of culture.
This journey begins in the medieval heart of Tuscany, travels through the rolling hills of Marche, touches the green core of Umbria, and ends among the sea breezes of Sardinia. A four-stop story, each with its own distinct and fascinating soul.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano: The Elegance of Simplicity
In the heart of Tuscany, nestled among towers and hills, Vernaccia di San Gimignano was born. It was the first Italian wine to receive DOC status in 1966, later upgraded to DOCG. This is a dry, refined white wine with a straw-yellow color and golden highlights, known for its fruity, floral, and mineral notes and a distinctive almondy bitter finish.
Its food-pairing versatility makes it perfect with fish, shellfish, white meats, as well as delicate cured meats and fresh cheeses. A wine that, in all its simplicity, always makes a lasting impression.
Vernaccia di Oristano: The Depth of Time
Moving to Sardinia, we encounter one of the island’s most intriguing expressions: Vernaccia di Oristano. Produced almost exclusively in the province of the same name, this unique wine undergoes oxidative aging in partially filled barrels, a method similar to that used for Sherry. The result is a golden, almost amber-hued white wine, rich in notes of dried fruit, honey, spices, and sea salt, with impressive structure and longevity.
It can be dry or fortified and pairs wonderfully with spicy fish soups, bottarga, blue and spicy cheeses, as well as almond-based pastries, following the island’s tradition.
Vernaccia di Serrapetrona: Unexpected Bubbles
From the gentle hills of Marche comes a wine that surprises with its technique and character: Vernaccia di Serrapetrona DOCG. It’s a truly unique sparkling wine in the Italian scene, made through three fermentations – one of which on dried grapes – that enhance its complexity.
Available in both dry and sweet versions, it features hues ranging from deep ruby to garnet and aromas that are vinous, spicy, and reminiscent of wild berries. A festive and contemplative wine, it pairs well with local cured meats like ciauscolo, regional cheeses, and traditional dry pastries such as cavallucci or ciambelline.
Vernaccia di Cannara: The Sweet Soul of Umbria
In Cannara, near Perugia, black Vernaccia grapes are used to make a passito wine that is a rare gem of Umbrian winemaking. Vernaccia di Cannara has a deep red hue, with aromas of ripe red fruit, sweet spices, and cocoa, offering firm tannins and a freshness that balances the residual sweetness.
Traditionally served with Easter cheese bread and fresh cured meats, it also pairs beautifully with aged cheeses, dark chocolate, and dry pastries. It’s a wine that tells the story of rural memory and the slow rhythms of Umbrian celebrations.
One Name, Four Regions, Infinite Emotions
Vernaccia is a collective story – a name that crosses the Italian wine map leaving an indelible mark. Each version reveals a different interpretation of wine, reflecting the geography, climate, culture, and winemaking sensitivity of its origin.
For wine lovers, tasting the four Vernaccias is a true sensory journey from north to south, from Tyrrhenian coasts to Apennine inland, from marine salinity to the sweetness of dried fruit. A journey that unites, under the banner of diversity, the most authentic and surprising soul of Italian wine.
