Beverage

Vin Santo

Vin Santo is a traditional Tuscan (and central Italian) dessert wine from dried grapes—often Trebbiano and Malvasia—aged for years in small sealed casks (caratelli) under attic heat and oxidation. Though not always spirit-fortified in the Port sense, it is grouped with fortified and oxidative sweet wines for its strength, stability, and concentrated dried-fruit character; some versions are fortified. Colours run amber to deep gold, with flavours of dried apricot, hazelnut, honey, and spice; dry styles (occhio di pernice from red grapes) also exist. Serve with cantucci for dipping, blue cheeses, or foie gras. In cookery, Vin Santo enriches biscotti batters, fruit compotes, and dessert sauces; a spoonful finishes pumpkin ravioli butter sauces in Tuscan kitchens.

Also known as: Vin Santo