What is the aging potential of Vin Santo wine?
Vin Santo is age-worthy and develops complexity during its long barrel aging: Vin Santo del Chianti Classico must spend at least 24 months in small caratelli barrels and at least 12 months in bottle. Wine Folly does not say how long a bottle keeps after release, so check with the producer.
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How long is Vin Santo aged before release?
Wine Folly’s Chianti Classico guide says Vin Santo del Chianti Classico needs at least 24 months in small barrels called caratelli, then at least 12 months in bottle. The legal minimum alcohol is 12 percent. Other Vin Santo denominations have their own rules.
How does Vin Santo change with age?
The source calls Vin Santo age-worthy and says it develops complexity during its long barrel aging. It does not state how many years a bottle keeps after release. Sweet, high-extract wines generally hold up well, but that is general wine knowledge, not a guarantee for one bottle. Ask the producer or retailer for a drinking window.
How is Vin Santo made?
- Drying: grapes are laid on mats or hung in winery rafters for a months-long drying phase until they shrivel into raisins, concentrating sugars and flavors.
- Pressing: the dried grapes are gently pressed.
- Barrels: the juice goes into caratelli holding 50 to 300 liters.
- Fermentation: slow and natural, taking months or even years. It stops on its own, so sugar levels vary by year.
What are the styles?
| Style | Grapes (Chianti Classico rules) |
|---|---|
| White Vin Santo | At least 60 percent Malvasia and/or Trebbiano |
| Occhio di Pernice | At least 80 percent Sangiovese; minimum extract 26 g/L |
Styles range from nearly dry at about 18 to 19 percent ABV to lusciously sweet and syrupy at about 12 percent ABV.
How do you serve it?
The source suggests pairing sweet styles with cantucci (almond biscuits), blue cheeses and spiced or fruit-based desserts, and serving drier styles at the end of a meal or with aged hard cheeses. Serve in small glasses.
How should you store it?
Keep bottles cool, dark and steady. After opening, re-cork and judge by smell and taste, because there is no official shelf-life number.
People also ask
How long is Vin Santo aged?
Vin Santo del Chianti Classico needs at least 24 months in caratelli and 12 months in bottle.
Does Vin Santo age well in the bottle?
The source calls it age-worthy but gives no number of years, so ask the producer.
What is Occhio di Pernice?
A style made from at least 80 percent Sangiovese under Chianti Classico rules.
Sources
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