2015 Fontodi Vin Santo DOC Half Bottle 375ml, Tuscany

Long before stainless steel tanks and temperature control, Tuscany's great sweet wines were slowly taking shape in the rafters of old farmhouses. Vin Santo, the "holy wine" of Italy, has been woven into the fabric of Tuscan life for centuries, traditionally served at celebrations, shared with guests or quietly enjoyed at the end of a meal. Few producers honour that tradition more faithfully than Fontodi, the celebrated Chianti Classico estate of the Manetti family.

Produced from carefully selected Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes, the fruit is dried slowly for months before pressing, concentrating flavour and sweetness in the process. Fermentation and maturation take place over many years in small wooden caratelli barrels, often in the warm attic spaces that have become synonymous with Vin Santo production. The 2015 vintage combines richness and complexity with remarkable freshness, creating a beautifully balanced expression of this historic Tuscan style.

Deep amber gold in colour, the bouquet is wonderfully complex, revealing aromas of dried apricot, orange peel and candied citrus layered with notes of honey, roasted almond and caramelised fig. As the wine evolves in the glass, hints of walnut, toffee and baking spice emerge, adding further intrigue and depth. The palate is luscious yet beautifully poised, delivering flavours of marmalade, dried fruits and honey balanced by vibrant acidity that prevents any sense of heaviness. The texture is silky and luxurious, flowing into a long finish filled with nuts, spice and citrus peel.

This is a magical partner for almond biscotti, walnut tart, blue cheese, crème caramel or aged pecorino drizzled with chestnut honey. Equally rewarding on its own at the end of a long meal, it captures the warmth, history and quiet beauty of traditional Tuscany in a single glass.