Treasure of our land!
Let us present you Vino Santo – typical of Sant`Angelo in Vado: the glory of a local oenological tradition. In the region of Sant`Angelo in Vado Vino Santo has always been well-known and even nowadays there is not a farmer`s family that is not keeping some bottles of this tasty wine in its cantina.
Vino Santo of Sant`Angelo in Vado is not only a result of care taken of the land and careful cultivation of vineyards but also and specially of scrupulous vintage and processing.
For centuries Sant`Angelo is the real home of Vino Santo – on clayey and well-sunny hills there are small vineyards which are extending nearly till forests and giving us a present – precious white grapes: Trebbiano, Malvasia, Turbiano, Moscatello which this precious nectar comes from.
In the thousand-year tradition of local typicalities Vino Santo of Sant`Angelo in Vado the same as known truffle has been passed on and guarded like one of the precious fruits given by this land. The noble background of this sweet dessert nectar can be found starting from the very beginning of the 18th century: since then these small productions made by families were used in a happy event for example to celebrate the birth of a son or were used for therapeutic purposes.
Besides the fact that it was found in every house of Massa Trabaria the Vino Santo was also considered to be the wine of hospitality. It was a drink that was presented to every guest both in more exclusive estates as well as in peasants` farms.
It has been told much about the origins of its name: legends and popular beliefs have been passed on starting from the early 15th century when it was said that its name comes from an antique tradition to decant the drink at Easter during the Saint Week [Settimana Santa]. According to other legends the name Vino Santo was given when cardinal Bessarione after tasting the drink associated it with Xantos. He was referring either to a small Greek island because of the fruits` and flowers` fragrance which the wine was having or to the adjective which in Greek means “yellow”, “amber” as the tone of this essence.
Another version simply tells that the adjective “Santo” has been given since this wine was produced specifically to celebrate a mass. At last we find a legend that sees the name`s origin in association with the All Saints` Day [Ognissanti] when in antique times grapes were traditionally hanged up for withering.
The characteristics which distinguish vino santo of Sant`Angelo in Vado from any other vino santo or fortified product is merit of a traditional production process.
It is September when in Vadese vineyards [vineyards of Sant`Angelo in Vado] the harvest of white grapes start, a process that for the normal wine would last only some days but in the case of Vino Santo of Sant`Angelo in Vado it lengthens for around a month because cultivators harvest only rape bunches at the right time. Little by little after harvesting the grapes` withering phase also starts: carefully cleaned brunches are hanged up in specially prepared rooms with the right temperature and level of humidity. According to the tradition these are attics of kitchens where smoke of fireplaces give a particular aroma.
The withering lasts around 5 months and when the right degree of withering is reached the first selection of grapes starts. Every single grape is selected and sent to production – grapes of gold colour go to production of Vino Santo of Sant`Angelo in Vado, while grapes having more red colour go to production of Vin Passito.
After this phase of selection grapes are pressed by a press which is calibrated especially for this purpose. After the pressing process we get the quality nectars which are ready for ageing in barrels or glass` demijohns. The precious nectar remains in cantina for at least 36 months. Afterwards it is bottled and served in the best wine bars. Vino Santo of Sant`Angelo in Vado has a clear amber yellow colour, tending to have a gold colour. It also has a sweet, harmonic taste with a good structure. The wine expresses a wide spectrum of flavours as well as fruity and flower aromas. For this reason it is not only an excellent wine to serve after meals together with dried fruits, dessert or famous cantucci [dry almond biscuits typical of Tuscany], but also with almond tarts and the famous cheese di fossa di Talamello together with chestnuts` honey.
Vino Santo of Sant`Angelo in Vado: the wine for meditation that has to be drunk slowly after meals at a hot burning fireplace in a friends` company.
