Vin Santo, meaning ‘Holy Wine’ is a popular kind of Italian dessert wine. Believed to have originated in Tuscany, Vin Santo is most often made from white grape varieties like Malvasia and Trebbiano. Vin Santo is also often referred to as straw wine as they begin production as freshly picked grapes which are then laid out on straw mats in the warm air to dry.
Vin Santo is produced all over Italy today but for some of the finest vintage ones, come to Tuscany. Stay in a superb vacation rental in Tuscany where you’ll never be far from a local wine bar or restaurant that serves it!
Vin Santo is produced all over Italy today but for some of the finest vintage ones, come to Tuscany. Stay in a superb vacation rental in Tuscany where you’ll never be far from a local wine bar or restaurant that serves it!
Although there are many theories as to why this sweet wine made from dried grapes came to be known as ‘holy wine’, the most likely one probably is that priests had a preference for sweet wine when celebrating rituals in the mass.
Earliest references of Vin Santo came about when merchants traded wines in the Florence markets of Tuscany. Many sweet yellow wines fell under this title during the renaissance years and the name stuck.
Grapes for Vin Santo are harvested in September or October and are left to dry on straw mats. This allows moisture to evaporate and the grapes become much more concentrated in their sugars.
Earliest references of Vin Santo came about when merchants traded wines in the Florence markets of Tuscany. Many sweet yellow wines fell under this title during the renaissance years and the name stuck.
Grapes for Vin Santo are harvested in September or October and are left to dry on straw mats. This allows moisture to evaporate and the grapes become much more concentrated in their sugars.
Between a period of a few weeks or a few months later, the grapes are crushed and left to begin fermentation. Vin Santo producers often add a small amount of the previous year’s finished batch to jump start the fermentation process and add a depth of flavour.
Vin Santo is aged for at least three years to intensify the flavour and when ready, is traditionally served with "cantuccini" cookies. It acts as an excellent digestive liquor and many like to dip their biscotti into it before eating at the end of a large meal.
Be sure to try some of this traditional Tuscan drink on your next cultural vacation here!
Vin Santo is aged for at least three years to intensify the flavour and when ready, is traditionally served with "cantuccini" cookies. It acts as an excellent digestive liquor and many like to dip their biscotti into it before eating at the end of a large meal.
Be sure to try some of this traditional Tuscan drink on your next cultural vacation here!
Photo credits
picture 1: McPig / CC BY 2.0;
picture 2: Gabriele Cantini / CC BY 2.0;
picture 3: Gabriele Cantini / CC BY 2.0
picture 1: McPig / CC BY 2.0;
picture 2: Gabriele Cantini / CC BY 2.0;
picture 3: Gabriele Cantini / CC BY 2.0
