Name used exclusively on the Greek island of Santorini for a sweet wine made from dried grapes classified as OPAP (designation of origin of higher quality). The name originated under Venetian rule and means "wine from Santorini". Although a Vinsanto bears a certain resemblance to a Vin Santo from the Italian region of Tuscany, it is a distinctive product, especially due to its higher acidity. Vinsanto was probably the model for Vin Santo, which is known as the "holy wine" (although the Italians claim the exact opposite). Vinsanto used to be the mass wine of the Russian Orthodox Church and an important export product.
Vinification
The three white wine varieties Assyrtiko (at least 75%) as well as Aïdani Aspro and Athiri Aspro (together a maximum of 25%) are authorised, although this also applies to the dry OPAP version. Many winegrowers only use the two varieties Assyrtiko and Aïdani Aspro. The sweet wine is available in three varieties: vin doux, vin doux naturel and vin naturellement doux. The extremely low yields after drying the grapes in the sun are 7 to 8 hl/ha; the alcohol content is between 8 and 15% vol. The residual sugar is between 200 and 300, in some cases even over 400 g/litre. The overripe grapes, some of which have already dried on the vine, are harvested and then dried in the sun for up to two weeks. The most common version of Vinsanto is Vin doux, which is fortified with Tsipouro(marc spirit) to an alcohol content of around 13% by volume after a short fermentation. The wine then matures for at least two years in oak barrels. In the vin doux naturel version, fortification takes place much later, resulting in an alcohol content of up to 15% vol. and a residual sugar content of over 250 g/litre.
The highest quality Vin naturellement doux is made from grapes harvested extremely late from the best vineyards. There is no spriting for this wine. The slow fermentation ends at around 8% vol. and is further accelerated by the addition of yeasts if necessary. These wines mature for up to ten years or more. This wine may also be called Liastos(straw wine). The intense orange-red wines have a distinct sweetness and refreshing acidity with flavours of honey , sultanas, spices and lime. The designation "Vinsanto Mezzo", previously used for a slightly less sweet version, may no longer be used. The same also applies to the red sweet wine "Mezzo", which was vinified from Mandilaria grapes using the same process as Vinsanto and marketed as a simple table wine.
Further information
For the production of alcoholic beverages, see Champagne (sparkling wines), Distillation (distillates), Spirits (types), Winemaking (wines and wine types) and Wine law (wine law issues).
Picture: By peuplier - Flickr: Santorini Vers Akrotiri, CC BY 2.0, Link
