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Everybody who has ever been on a wine tasting tour of the Chianti region in Tuscany knows just how the world-famous bottles live up to expectations. One that many people might not know about, however, is the delectable Vin Santo, a dessert wine made here that is delicious, sweet and as complex as anything else made in the area. If you want to try it the local way, you’ll want to seek out a glass or two and enjoy it with a traditional biscotti. To really get to know the drink, here are some useful and interesting facts about it. The History The legend of its name dates back to the 1400s, when the Bishop of Florence served the vino to great applause. He misheard another bishop who was declaring his admiration of the liquid’s colour, thinking he said ‘santo’ (meaning holy) and the so-called ‘Holy Wine’ was born. Of course, the drink was also used as part of local communion, giving it an even greater claim to its holy title. Producing the Wine As well as its name, its production style also comes from a very, very long time ago. Concentrating the sugars by allowing the grapes to begin the process of becoming raisins makes the finished product sweeter. The grapes are dried to allow this process to take place and are then matured for a decade before going into the bottles. Where it’s Made Wine tasting tours that are likely to include Vin Santo would take in the two DOCs where this variety is produced. Vin Santo del Chianti DOC and Colli dell'Etruria DOC cover a large area of Chianti, so there are plenty of places to find a good bottle. Served Up While it may be one tradition to serve this tipple alongside almond biscotti, as mentioned, this is not the only appropriate way. Masters of its production suggest that it should accompany a meal rather than just waiting until the end. Recommendations are that it goes great with cheese, fruit and even fish. Vino on Tour There are a lot of different varieties, so it’s unlikely that you’ll get bored of trying it. Wine tasting tours that offer a glimpse into this remarkable drink are also a great way to find out what variety you’d like to purchase as a souvenir. THe Tastes of Chianti Taste testing the famous Vin Santo is a great way to cap off any wine tasting tour and you’ll likely be converted to dessert wines even if you’ve never really had them before. It provides an experience that you’ll not necessarily have been expecting coming to Chianti, and one that will live long in your memory and your tastebuds. It’s a great idea to book a professional wine tasting tour in order to get the most out of your experience in this most famous of areas. A reputable local tour operator will be able to expand on all the information in this article and help you really get to grips with the drink, bringing it to life in a way that will make your whole trip better. Author Plate Mauro Bramante is the Director of WalkAbout Florence, an independent business offering unforgettable tours and excursions around Italy including the best wine tasting tour itineraries. Whether you want to ride a Vintage Vespa, try the famous Chianti wine or get cooking with fresh local ingredients, Mauro's company promises excitement, adventure and above all, fun. If you're keen to experience the magic of Italy with the help of some passionate and knowledgeable tour guides, look no further than WalkAbout Florence for your next getaway.
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