Vin Santo - the "Holy Wine"

Easter is now close and the period is perfect to travel around Tuscany and taste the Vin Santo: emblem of Tuscan hospitality and ancient ritual of the feast.

The best time to taste it? In May! When little casks "caratelli" are opened after at least 7 years vintage!

Some famous Vin Santo wineries

La regola - Riparbella http://www.laregola.com/

Beconcini – San Miniato http://www.pietrobeconcini.com/

San Michele a Torri - Scandicci http://www.fattoriasanmichele.it/

San Gervasio – Palaia http://www.sangervasio.com/

Sorelle Palazzi – Morrona http://www.sorellepalazzi.it/

Marini – Pistoia http://www.marinifarm.it/

Rocca di Monte Grossi - Gaiole in Chianti http://www.roccadimontegrossi.it/

San Giusto a Rentennano – Gaiole http://www.fattoriasangiusto.it/

Isola e Olena - Siena

Vin Santo is a product that has its roots and origins are lost in the mists of time, has always been made with techniques passed down orally from father to son as a precious heritage. It 'an ancient amber-colored wine, more or less, and for its particular organoleptic characteristics are consumed in combination with the sweet dessert when features (known throughout the world with the combination of almond biscuits) and may well be accompanied to the blue cheese crostini blacks or liver, when present in dried form. Occupies an important place in Tuscan and prestige since the Middle Ages

A bit 'of history.

There are various theories on the etymology of the word. A Sienese version speaks of a Franciscan monk who during the Great Plague of 1348 took care of the victims of the disease with a wine that was commonly used by the brothers to celebrate mass, this would be a widespread belief that this wine had miraculous miraculous properties, giving it the ' title of "saint."

Another version is a native of Florence, according to which during the Council of Florence in 1439, Metropolitan John Bessarion greek proclaimed, as he was drinking greek wine: "This is the wine of Xantos", perhaps referring to a sweet greek wine (a wine made from raisins pressed) from Santorini. His guests, who had confused the word "Xantos' with 'santos', thought that he had discovered in the wine quality worthy of being defined as "holy". In any case, from that moment it was called Vin Santo.

Dont't forget to pair Vin Santo with an artisanal Easter cake, the "Colomba", better if the classic one with almonds on top.

Enjoy it and best wishes!