Cru

Translated in English as “growth,” the word cru can mean a vineyard or an estate, usually a superior one, that has been classified geographically or by reputation. A classified cru is known as a cru classé. Within any given classification (such as those in Bordeaux and Burgundy), there are Premiers Crus (first growths), Grands Crus (great growths), and so on. The word is the past participle of the French verb croître, meaning to grow.

What traditional dessert is served with vin santo wines in Tuscany?

A. Cannoli

B. Cantucci

C. Panforte

D. Carnaroli

Cantucci are stubby, twice-baked, small biscotti traditionally served with vin santo at the end of a Tuscan meal. It is customary for Tuscans to dip the cantucci in the vin santo. The creamy, honey-roasted flavor of the sweet wine is complimented by cantucci’s almond and butter flavors.

“Based on chemistry, DNA, ancient texts, art, ethnography and experimental archaeology, it’s clear that as humans, we are set up as biological creatures to drink alcohol.”

— Dr. Patrick McGovern, Director of Biomolecular Archaeology, University
of Pennsylvania, and author of Ancient Wine: The Search for the Origins of Viniculture

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