2009 Palazzo Vecchio Vin Santo

Tuscany, Italy

The "holy wine!" A blend of Malvasia and Grechetto. The grapes are picked and are then left to wither on reed mats; the wine is made around 5 months later. It then spends a minimum of FIVE YEARS in small oak caratelli, a small wooden keg traditionally used for the production of Vino Santo and Aceto Balsamico (balsamic vinegar). The keg has a volume between 50 and 150 liters. The wood itself is usually either oak, cherry, chestnut or pear tree. The aroma is complex with hints of acacia honey and spices, fig and pear, and the wine itself  is rich, unctuous and soft, with flavors of dried fruit and licorice. Sip this slowly at the end of a fine meal with some dried cheese and nuts.