Vernaccia is by far Tuscany's most interesting white grape, making wines that are fresh and lemony with an interesting nutty complexity. It grows around the famous hilltop town of San Gimignano. As an aperitivo, this wine's a great way to start a dinner party - and some lively conversation too. The Strozzis, you see, were once powerful bankers, statesmen and rivals to the Medicis. Niccolo Machiavelli began his illustrious career in their employ and among their famous ancestors is one Lisa Gherardini del Giocondo, the 'Mona Lisa', whilst the family is also related to Sir Winston Churchill. With irresistible citrus, peach and spice flavours, this subtle and elegan twhite is a great match for baked fish, mushroom risotto or seafood pasta.