Its flavour is dry and slightly bitter, and the colour is intense ruby. It is matured in oak barrels for two years and one year in the bottle. Vernaccia is produced in the ancient town of San Gimignano. It was the first white wine to be granted the D.O.C. recognition. It is produced from a particular type of vine in a dry climate.
Olive oil is also a product of excellent quality in the region.
Olive oil production has very old origins in this area and traditional olive presses are still used by many producers. The Chianti, Crete, and Valdichiana areas are those with the oldest tradition in olive oil production. The olives used to produce this oil are cultivated at 300-600m above sea level, and the oil has a low level of acidity. The olives are not treated with insecticides and therefore do not contain any toxins. The oil produced in the Sienese hills is often used in low fat diets.