San Gimignano 2017 vintage

The 2017 vintage produced 31,651 hl of Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOC from 720 hectares (1,778 acres). The 2017 growing season was defined by two climatic events. Winter was cold, especially so in January when average temperatures were half those of the previous two years. However, winter was also dry, and this, coupled with hot, dry, sunny weather in March brought budburst forward. Shoot growth began in the last ten days of March, 15 days ahead of the norm. On 19th-20 April 2017 a sharp drop in temperature caused crop losses of up to 30-40% in the worst cases, particularly in vineyards on lower-lying sites. Dry weather in May allowed affected vineyards a second chance to produce vegetative growth, although with fewer flowers and thus potential grapes. Sunny and very dry weather followed, with only one rain storm of note on 8th August. Vine stress was a potential issue leading to ripe and unripe berries on the same bunch. The result was yields were down 26% compared to 2016.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano Riserva 2017 wines are generally very powerful, with higher than usual alcohol levels, and bigger than normal structure.

In my report for the 2018 Decanter World Wine Awards blind tasting competition (for which I was Tuscany Chair) I wrote ‘Vernaccia di San Gimignano is often labelled as nothing more than a refreshing dry white to be quaffed by tourists ogling the town’s looming towers. But San Gimignano was one of the few smaller Tuscan regions to pick up medals in nearly all price categories, from every day wines to super-premium.’