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Vin Santo del Chianti (DOC)

ver since the Middle Ages, Vin Santo has enjoyed a place of honor in Tuscan oenology. There are many stories about the origin of this wine's name. One of these relates of a 14th-century friar who used to hand out the wine that had already been used at Mass to people who were ill, believing that it had healing and miraculous properties and was therefore "santo" or holy. Another story relates that Greek Patriarch John Bessarion, who was visiting Florence on the occasion of the Ecumenical Council on 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 got something to do with the fact that it was used during Mass. The establishment of Vin Santo del Chianti D.O.C. in August 1997 marked an important step towards the full valorization of a wine that has played such an important role in Tuscan oenology. The Vin Santo del Chianti D.O.C.'s production area not only corresponds exactly to the same area where the Chianti D.O.C.G. is produced, but it also follows the same geographical subdivision: Colli Aretini, Colli Fiorentini, Colli Senesi, Colline Pisane, Montalbano, Montespertoli, and Rufina.

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