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The Wines of Chianti -Vinsanto del Chianti DOC

Vinsanto is one of the most ancient and typical products of Florentine and Tuscan oenology .

Various theories exist regarding the origins of its name. The strangest one, halfway between fact and fiction, tells how in the year 1349, on the occasion of the Ecumenical Council that was held in Florence, this wine was offered to the prelates who arrived from all over the Christian world.
The Greek Patriarch Bessarione, noting a similarity with the wines of his own country exclaimed: "This is wine from Xantos". However, the others members present not understanding the geographical reference, thought that Bessarione had discovered that the Tuscan "vin pretto" (pure wine, as it was called to start with) was so good as to be defined as "santo" (holy). Another theory, though less picturesque, links the name to the fact that this wine was used regularly during mass.
In any case, in Tuscan tradition vinsanto represents hospitality, being the drink that is always on hand to be offered to guests , both in the homes of peasants and nobles.

Even today its preparation still conserves the seals of tradition: the grapes, carefully selected bunch by bunch, are left to dry on mats in well ventilated rooms, and the wine matures for long periods in small wooden vats (kegs).

Two types of vinsanto are produced in the area of Florence, the white, obtained from Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia grapes, and the "Occhio di pernice", deriving predominantly from Sangiovese grapes. Both qualities come in the dry version, ideal before meals as an aperitif, and the sweeter type that traditionally accompanies sweets, in particular short-crust pastries and the famous "cantuccini" (almond biscuits).

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