Vin Santo

Serelle

Vin Santo del Chianti D.O.C.

Ever since the Middle Ages, Vin Santo has enjoyed a place of honour in Tuscan oenology.

There are many stories about the origin of this wine's name. One of these relates to a 14th century friar who used to hand out the wine that had been previously used at Mass to people who were ill, believing that it had healing and miraculous properties, and that it was therefore "santo" or holy.

Another story relates that the Greek Patriarch John Bessarion, who was visiting Florence in 1349, was served Vin Pretto (or "pure wine"), a local wine that no longer exists. Upon drinking it the patriarch declared, "This wine is from Xanthos!" But the Italians at the table thought he said the wine was "santo" and started calling the old Vin Pretto "Vin Santo." In any case, the wine's name has probably has something to do with the fact that it was used during Mass.

Vin Santo Serelle was produced for the first time in 1988. The grapes for the production of this desert wine come from vines cultivated in the Chianti area, between 150 and 450 metres above sea level.