VIN SANTO

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Vin Santo, the 'holy wine' of Tuscany

Vin Santo is a wine made from raisons and follows a complex elaboration enriched by the experience of many centuries of Tuscan farmers.
The grapes used for this particular wine are all white (malvasia, trebbiano, san colombano), but after the harvest they all follow a particular procedure. Immediately after harvest the single bunches of grapes are hung up in aireated rooms where by January they will slowly become raisons. This procedure allows to loose most of the water that had been filling the grapes and will increase the percentage of fruit-sugar which during fermentation will turn into alcohol.
After more than three months, usually January, the single good, unmoulded grapes will be selected and pressed. The little liquid obtained will then be put in small barrels out of cherry-wood. These barrels are called 'caratelli' and are filled with the 'must' of wine only up to 75%, and are then sealed with cement in order to obtain a sort of hermetic lid which will allow high pressure to develope during fermentation.
This special procedure makes the process of fermentation particularly slow and special. The final result, after three years , is a sweet wine with a high alcohol content of approximately 16 degrees.

It is usually served at the end of the meal as an accompanying wine for desserts.

 

Origin of the name 'VinSanto'

During the winter of the year 1439 an important councel was held in Florence in order to attempt the unification of the catholic and the orthodox church.
During that council a few banquets were being hold. After concordance, during the final banquet an exquisite wine of local production was served. A wine that in those days was called 'vin pretto-ready wine'.
But when the great and magnificent Bessarone, the luminarc of the ancient greek fathers, took it to his lips he exclaimed: 'this is wine of Xantos' making reference to the wine of the greek island of Xantos. And since then the name of ‘vin santo- holy wine’ remained and will remain for who knows how long more.

If you are interested in purchasing our Vin Santo, the year 2003 is available in the purchase sections.

If you are interested in a wine-tasting while visiting the vineyard go to the wine-tasting and tour section.

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