The Wine Shop Talk
The Wine Shop Talk
Get to Know Vin Santo: A Special Easter Treat Season 5: Ep 13
In this episode, sommelier Erin takes listeners on a flavorful exploration of Vin Santo, the revered Italian dessert wine. From its rich history to its luscious flavors, Erin uncovers the secrets behind this divine elixir and shares classic Easter pairings from Italy, Spain, and Greece. Join her for a delightful journey filled with sweetness, tradition, and the magic of Vin Santo. This episode is sure to make your mouth-water.
🍷 ✨ Discover your personal wine palate personality. Take the Quiz
🍎 Grab Your Fall 2024 Pairing Inspiration Guide
⭐️ Check out our FREE resources and guides.⭐️
📫 Sign Up for Erin's Monthly Newsletter
Have a question or a comment to share? hello@winegirlacademy.com
Follow WGA! 👇
⭐️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winegirlacademy/
⭐️Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wine-Girl-Academy-102017018628996
⭐️Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@winegirlacademy
⭐️Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/WineGirlAcademy/_saved/
Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WineGirlShop - more products being added
⭐️Wine and Chocolate Course Udemy
⭐️Bubbles 101 Course - Udemy - Udemy
As this episode is launching on the Tuesday, just before Easter, I thought it'd be the perfect time to take a tantalizing journey. Into the world of VIN Santo. Now, today, I'm going to be, uncorking the secrets of this revered sweet wine. And explore some classic Easter pairings from Italy, Spain, and Greece. So sit back and relax as I'm going to be transporting you through the vineyards of the Mediterranean. As we get to know all about this incredible and luscious wine. So if you're ready to learn more about open Tinto, let's get started and dive right into today's episode. Hi everyone. And welcome to the wine shop talk. I'm your host smile, Erin Rosar. And I'm so happy that you're here with me today. If we ever met before, it's a lovely to have you here. And if we have welcome back now, for those of you who are new, you should know that I've been a professional smile for over 20 years now. And it's my passion and my privilege to make learning about wine. Not only fun and easy, but also practical. I want to make sure that you leave every single episode with some real life practical tips that you can use right away to help you find wines that you are going to love and enjoy and be able to share it with family and friends. I want you to think of me as your very own practical Somalia, and today's practical advice is going to walk you right into the sweet wine aisle of your favorite wine store. As we dive into. VIN Santo let's get started right at the beginning of what is VIN Santo, because maybe you've had some before, or maybe you've seen it on a restaurant wine list or you've passed it in the wine store, but you just haven't been sure of what to expect in the bottle or how to pair it. So you haven't tried it. So by the end of today's episode, you're going to know exactly what to expect in the glass and come away with some delicious pairings that you're going to be able to create and enjoy this wine with as well. So let's start with its translation in that VIN Cento means holy wine. So it's a great wine to talk about during holy week, as we're heading up into Easter. For those of you who are celebrating now, generally we consider a VIN Santo and Italian wine, though. It is made in other areas of the Mediterranean, specifically Greece and Spain. And I'm going to talk about those areas for pairings as well. But when I'm talking about the origins of in Santo, we generally refer to this as an Italian wine is home-based starting in Italy, in the Tuscany and Umbria areas. It's believed to have first been crafted by monks who sought to create a wine reflecting purity and sanctity is the story. The wines production involves a labor intensive process of after harvest drying the grapes on straw mats before they are then fermented. And then these shriveled dried up grapes with very little juice, go through a very long, slow fermentation. And the wine that results from this is a wine that is filled with richness and complexity, and is lusciously sweet because the grapes have been dehydrated. The waters come out of them. So over time, VIN Santo became a cherish tradition in Italian households, and today remains an iconic wine symbolizing Italians winemaking heritage, and a spirit of hospitality. Now it's important to note that the exact timeframe of VIN Santos first production is not precisely documented as the origins can be traced back to medieval times. However it is believed to have been crafted by the monks sometime in the middle ages, possibly around the 14th or 15th century. Let's dive into a bit more about how it's made, because this is true artistry in motion, because this is such a special way to make this one is still made in a very traditional and classic way. VIN Santo is crafted from a blend of white grapes, predominantly Trebbiano and Malvasia. And this creates a mixture of beautiful aromas, have a golden hue and result in a luscious sweetness. The grapes undergo this meticulous process of drying out on straw mats known as Pimento before fermentation begins. And what this does, is it dehydrates the grapes. So literally the water is sucking out is evaporating into the air. As these grapes are shriveling up on the mats. The straw mats allow for oxygen both on top and below. You'll see pictures of grapes, either hanging from the rafters in the bunches, or you'll see them laid out on these straw mats where they're tiered on shelves so the airflow is good between them usually where the windows can be opened in a barn or the winery. So there's good airflow around these grapes. And then once they have reached sort of the correct amount of dehydration, they are taken and they are pressed, there's very little juice left in these grapes, which is why you're going to see. VIN Santo in very small bottles, like most sweet wines because we get very little juice out of these grapes when we press them. And so it is liquid nectar from the gods, if you will, what comes out and because of the amount of sugar in these grapes, the fermentation is very slow and it takes a long time for the yeast to ferment those grapes. Obviously there's so much sugar left behind in these grapes. So the yeast can't eat all the sugar. Sugar. So we have residual sugar leftover and that results in our sweet wine, because the yeast are going to tie out in the fermentation before they can eat all the sugar that is left behind in the grapes. So we have this beautiful sweetness that is left behind.. The fermentation of this wine happens in older, small Oak barrels or traditional terracotta vessels called Holly. And here's the fun part. The fermentation can take anywhere from three to six years, depending on how the wine develops and the complexity. Once the fermentation is over, is put into small Oak barrels and here the wine picks up additional flavors and nuances of caramel, nuts, and dried fruits coming from the flavors that the barrel is going to allow an oxygen coming into the wine as it settles. The aging of VIN Santo in those barrels in many cases lasting more than a decade. Now in regards to its name, VIN Santo. There's a couple of theories about where it came from and potentially how its production cycle ties to religious holidays. In some areas, it was bottled on Allstate's day, the day after Halloween and in other cases, the grapes were pressed at Christmas or Easter. So it's thought that. Potentially the name came from a tie to. The timing of some of its production. Now this luscious wine has been created and age up to 10 years before it's found its way to your glass. This is a treasure trove of aromas and flavors. Just waiting to be discovered as you raise your glass to your lips you're going to discover a Romas of dried apricots and figs hints of caramelized sugar, toasted almonds and nuts. Some will also say touches of dried orange peel. Other will pick up notes of marzipan, honey. Brown sugar. Candied fruits. It is an experience that changes and envelops all of your senses, both from the beautiful color of the golden hue and the glass to. Every time you put your nose in this class, you're going to get different aromas as it comes to life, right in front of you and then on the pallet, you're going to have this incredible experience of, luscious sweetness with a mouthwatering acidity that brings balance, it's going to feel sweet and definitely thicker than a table wine, but it's not going to be sickly. Sweet. If you will. Some people worry when they're having sweet wines. It's just going to be too much. Now. It's important when you're serving been Santo, in my opinion. You want to castle? Cool. I'll call it in that the bottle should feel cool to your hand, but not so cold that it is chilled. The reason being if the wine is too cold is going to lose as the ability to release some of it's a Romas to you and some of those wonderful flavors. So there's a careful balance to being. Castle. Cool. So you just want it, like it was in a castle basement. Not kind of chilled in the fridge. So you want that bottle to feel cool to touch, but not cold. So something to think about. But temperature is one of those things that you can definitely play with as you're trying your VIN Santo. Some people like to have it a bit more chilled than others, and if you chill it, it's going to subdued some of the aromas. It's also going to enhance the acidity that mouthwatering sensation and lessen the sweetness. So you are going to play with your VIN, Santo of the temperature that you prefer to drink it out. So it's a great homework to have to practice. And try. So if you are pouring a glass, you might want to pour two small bits, put one in the fridge for a little bit, one on the counter and try them side by side to see how the difference of temperature impacts your experience in the glass. Back to, what else are you going to experience on the palette? You are going to get this lovely, beautiful mouth filling sensation, and it's just going to make your smile. It's going to tantalize your sentences. I feel like tantalizes the word I keep using in this episode. But you're going to have notes of dried apricots and figs, caramelized sugar, those toasted nuts. Almonds layers of vanilla. Orange peel. Some Mars, the pan, you might get some Meyer lemon, depending on the age of the VIN Santo as well. You might take on more of those figs and date flavors. Those dried fruit notes will come through more, honey. So lots of different flavors and as the wine ages. So depending on the age of yours, you were going to get into more of those dried, deeper fruit flavors as well. Also as the VIN Santo ages, it's going to develop a deeper golden hue, Many people saying that having some of the older VIN Santos, they pick up more flavors of butterscotch. Or if you're like me Canadian, some almost butter tart flavors in Sultana reasons can come through as well. Now. I hope that your mouth is watering already. And you're thinking about where the closest wine shop is that you can pop in and take a look at the VIN. Santos that they have to offer. Let's talk about a classic pairing that many people in Italy enjoy what their VIN Santo. So classically, this is going to be served at the end of the meal. It is a special wine to bring out during holidays and special occasions. And It's often search for the Ken Tucci. which is a hard crumbly almond biscotti, and you deliciously dug into the wine, which softens it before eating. So should you be in Tuscany and you're having a little bit of incentive. Don't be surprised if they bring out this beautiful almond biscotti beside it. That is the traditional end of the meal, pairing But today, I want to share with you a few Easter pairings as well, that tie into some traditional Easter dishes. And how Vincent Oak can fit into the meal that will maybe inspire you to add the VIN Santo into your holiday celebrations this weekend. If you're getting together with family and friends, So in regards to celebrating Easter in Italy, it is obviously a very important religious holiday. And with it comes traditional breads and foods and wonderful family gets together. One of the traditional Easter breads is it Colomba de Pasqua, which is a dove shaped sweetbreads studied. With candy, fruits and almond, and it symbolizes peace and renewal. Another Easter bread from Italy is called the pen a past CLA, which is a rich fragrant bread that has citrus assessed and spices, and often a generous slathering of butter connect sound more delicious. And both of these are delicious to serve at the end of a meal with a glass of Vincenzo. Now, if we head to Spain where they're also making VIN Santo here they make a wonderful dessert for Easter called a Three. And this is a decadent bread pudding made from slices of bread soaked in milk, eggs, and spices, then fried to a golden perfection and drizzled with honey or syrup. So think of this as super decadent, French toast, some will even Dunkin wine This is a comforting, rich, wonderful dessert can also have it for brunch. And it is a part of a very festive Easter celebration. And perfect to pair with a glass of incentive at the end of a wonderful meal. Then the last area I wanted to share with you is Greece. We have Vincent hope coming from Greece as well, that are stunning And in Greece, they have a special Easter bread Called a check-in, which is a braided sweet bread. It's three braids to represent the holy Trinity, the father, son, and the holy spirit. And it's infused with aromatic spices and then endured with some Sesame seeds or almond on top. And this is an Easter bread. That's a symbol of joy and abundance and enjoyed by families and friends as they celebrate Easter together. All of these Easter breads from Italy, Spain, and Greece all would be delicious pairings to go with a glass of incentive. But if you're not making a traditional Mediterranean Easter bread, then this will also be delicious with. Just simple pound cake, a little bit of cheese, obviously biscotti some dried fruits, for example, but sometimes it's also a wine just to sit and savor on its own.. But definitely a bit of incentive with a slice of Easter bread is a delicious way to celebrate. So now you have three different areas of the Mediterranean Italy, Greece, and Spain, all with different Easter breads. And you have beautiful VIN Santos coming from each of those countries, VIN Santos from each of those countries will be made in the same way with the dried grapes and the slow fermentations. The grapes may change though, depending on which country it is coming from, but the basis is still going to be this beautiful, luscious wine with a natural, highest entity and a slow fermentation process for these luscious sweet. Beautiful decadent wide. That's going to be just an experience in your glass. no matter what you choose as your dessert for your Easter celebrations or any special occasion that you happen to be celebrating with family and friends. Uh, promises to elevate that experience with a luxurious sweetness and a velvety texture. That is definitely going to be one of those wines, much like a great kiss that you are just left With this incredible memory of this wonderful wide that you've just had. And getting together with special family and friends is a great time to open up a wonderful bottle, open Santo. It's definitely one of those wines. That's a conversation wine. You want to open it and enjoy it and talk about it with family and friends. You want to discuss what all the different flavors it has, how it's pairing with the foods on your table. So it is definitely a conversation starter and it's a wonderful wine to share, not only from the flavors, but also the history side of it. And all of the work. Think about you're having a wine that has taken at least 10 years to make it to your glass. That is just. Just incredible. I hope that today's episode has inspired you to want to go. Like I said to your favorite wine store and take a wander up the aisle and look to see the different VIN Santos that they have to offer. You may have traditional Italian VIN Santos, some from Greece, from Spain. So take a look and see what's available and pick one out to be able to bring home and bring to your table for this weekend. Celebrate. Celebration for Easter or any special occasion that you're having. Now as always, if you have any questions or comments about today's episode, you can reach me at hello. Wind goal academy.com or come say hi on Instagram or ticktock you'll find me at wine grill academy. For those of you who are new listening in know that new episodes come out every Tuesday. So please join us and share and subscribe. So you never miss an episode. And if you haven't already done your pellet personality, you'll find the link in the show notes below. This is a fun free quiz that you'll find out more about the why you like the wines you do, and end up with an entire booklet about your personal pellet personality and some wines that you'll enjoy as well as some helpful words to use when you're shopping for new bottles to try. I hope that you have enjoyed learning about VIN Santo this week, and I want to wish all of you who are celebrating Easter, a happy and wonderful Easter. and If you are bringing VIN central to your table, please reach out and let me know if you found a new favorite or how your pairings went. I will love to hear all about it. On that note, I want to wish you. a wonderful week. Cheers to you. Bye now.