Felsina Berardenga Vin Santo, 2013

The winery was established in 1966 when Domenico Poggiali took the courageous leap to purchase the estate and set up the brand Fèlsina, at a time when Italian viticulture was struggling. He chose to invest in the quality of the wine and the expertise of a young team. Fèlsina means the ‘Land of the Light’ and represents the richness of the Italian terroir. In the second half of the 1970s Giuseppe Mazzocolin, Domenico`s son-in-law, entered the family business with the task of commercial development. He modernised the production whilst maintaining the spirit of tradition; through careful grape selection, attention to the drying process, adding the Sangiovese varietal to produce the Fèlsina’s signature style, as well as by meticulous care in vinification and ageing. Giuseppe is now less involved in the running of the estate, and consultant oenologist Franco Bernabei remains at the helm of the winemaking team, as he has been since 1983. This delightful Vin Santo is produced from Malvasia, Sangiovese and Trebbiano grapes which were rigorously selected and subjected to a natural drying process on mats until January/February of the following year. They were then de-stemmed and pressed. The must was transferred to sealed 100 litre oak casks containing the `mother`, the gelatinous remainder of previous vintages. After seven years in the `vinsantaia` loft area, the wine was bottle-aged for six months prior to release.

Golden yellow in colour with coppery highlights. On the nose, aromas of peach and apricot are complemented by pineapple and tropical fruit notes. The complex palate has good weight and supple fruit, with toasty nuances from well-integrated oak. Lively acidity is beautifully balanced by the sweetness of the dried grapes, with baked apricot and candied pineapple continuing on the long finish.

Traditionally served with Italian biscotti, this is a great accompaniment to Panettone with raisins and candied fruits.