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The Principe Corsini winery produces organic and vegan wine and oil in the estates of Villa Le Corti and La Marsiliana.
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Contact usVin Santo Sant'Andrea Corsini, how a rare wine is born
Origins of the name Vin Santo
Vin Santo, or Vinsanto, is the wine of Tuscan wine-making tradition par excellence. Its history is fascinating and its origins come from far away. The name is probably connected to Christian culture, but there are several stories related to this wine.
It seems that the term was first used by a Franciscan friar to “miraculously” alleviate the evil of the plague of 1348. According to other sources, however, its spread may be linked to the tradition of drying grapes until Holy Week. Yet another legend attributes the name Vin Santo to a reference to its use in the celebration of mass, but also to its assonance with the wine produced on the Greek island of Xanthos.
Buy Vin Santo Sant'Andrea CorsiniHistorical notes on Vin Santo
The origin of Vin Santo, even more than the legends from which it takes its name, is very ancient. In fact, the earliest evidence of its use dates back to Etruscan times, even between the 9th century B.C. and the 1st century B.C.
In fact, there is much evidence that already at that time a sweet wine was being produced, very similar to what we know today, even if using different methods. In the past, in fact, drying grapes was the only way to obtain a sugary and therefore more palatable wine. In fact, sugar arrived in Europe only in the 12th century, at the time of the Crusades.
Origins of Vin Santo Sant'Andrea Corsini
“What would I do with these goods, if then I had no peace of heart?”
Andrea Corsini, who later became bishop of Fiesole, was born on November 30, 1301. In his youth he was a lover of worldly pleasures, but after his spiritual calling he gave his whole life to caring for the poor, working prodigious healings. After a period of spiritual formation and growth in Paris, he returned to his homeland just as the plague epidemic, described by Boccaccio, was raging in Florence.
Many of the miraculous healings he performed are evidenced by letters of devotion and thanks that people wrote to him, which are still preserved in the Corsini family’s historical archives at Villa Le Corti. Thus, the Corsini family’s choice to dedicate their Vin Santo to their ancestor St. Andrew.
The artisanal production of Vin Santo
“The wine of hospitality with a sharp and vast soul.”
Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Sant’Andrea Corsini is made from our Sangiovese, Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes, which after manual harvesting are placed on racks in the farm’s fruttaio for drying. Pressing takes place in early December with which we obtain the must, a true nectar with an almost honeyed consistency.
Alcoholic fermentation takes place on the mother yeast in 100-liter kegs sealed for 5 years. The alternation of warm and cold seasons respectively favors the resumption and slowing of alcoholic fermentation during the long years of preparation.
The selection of the best caratelli for Vin Santo
After the first five years of rest, the next stage is the selection of the caratelli. In fact, only the best caratelli are destined for aging for another five years, and then bottled. That’s why our production of Vinsanto is so special.
Vin Santo Sant’Andrea Corsini, a traditional wine, a symbol of historicity and ancient craftsmanship, available in 2005 and 2006 vintages in 0.375-liter bottles. The 1999 vintage of our Vin Santo, is packaged in an elegant crystal bottle, accompanied by the wooden box.
