Toasting

Charring the inside of new barrels over an open flame. Charring caramelizes the staves of the wood. Wine stored in barrels treated this way will pick up a VANILLIN, toasty character.

Which Greek wine region is famous for the sweet wine vinsanto?

A. Crete

B. Attica

C. Thessaly

D. Santorini

Santorini is a volcanic island south of Athens that is famous for vinsanto, a sweet dessert wine reminiscent of the Tuscan dessert wine vin santo. To make vinsanto, the white grape assyrtiko and the red grape mandilaria are first spread out on mats to dry in the sun for one to two weeks. When they achieve a state referred to as half-baked, the grapes are fermented. Afterward, the wine is aged in barrel for a decade, giving it a mellow, rich flavor.

The Ultimate Gift

In ancient Rome, wine was linked with authority. Of all the pleasures and privileges of power, none was rated more highly than the possession of a vineyard. The highest favor bestowed by the Roman emperor… Continue reading

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