Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Occhio di Pernice DOC 375ml

The Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Occhio di Pernice DOC (375ml) is a rare and prestigious Tuscan dessert wine.

It is a specialised, sweet, amber-colored wine that is highly concentrated due to its unique production method and extensive ageing.

Description

• Type: Sweet dessert wine (Vino Passito)

• Region: Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

• Color: Typically a warm red-amber or deep pinkish-golden hue, which is what the name "Occhio di Pernice" (eye of the partridge) refers to.

• Production Method: Grapes are hand-picked, carefully selected, and laid out on straw mats or hung in well-ventilated rooms to dry naturally (appassimento) for several months. This process dehydrates the grapes, concentrating the sugars and aromatic compounds. The resulting must is then fermented and aged for a minimum of three years (often 5 to 10+ years) in small, traditional oak barrels called caratelli.

• Aroma & Taste: Complex, intense, and opulent. Expect layered notes of dried fruit (apricot, fig, raisin, candied orange peel), nutty notes (almond, walnut, hazelnut), honey, caramel, spices (cinnamon, cloves), and often hints of leather or tobacco from the long barrel ageing. The palate is rich and sweet, but balanced by a refreshing, persistent acidity.

Ingredients, Allergens, and Grape Varieties

Ingredients and Allergens

• Primary Ingredient: Grapes (fermented grape must).

• Allergen: Contains sulfites (sulfur dioxide) as a preservative, a common allergen in all wines.

Grape Varieties

The "Occhio di Pernice" designation indicates that the wine is primarily made from red grapes, distinguishing it from the standard Vin Santo, which is made from white grapes.

• Main Grape: Minimum 80% Sangiovese (the principal red grape of Chianti Classico).

• Other Grapes: Up to 20% of other non-aromatic local red or white varieties (e.g., Malvasia, Trebbiano) may be included, depending on the producer's blend.

Serving and Pairing

• Serving Temperature: Best served slightly cool, around $15^{\circ}\text{C}$ to $17^{\circ}\text{C}$ ($59^{\circ}\text{F}$ to $63^{\circ}\text{F}$).

• Pairing: Traditionally served with Cantucci (Tuscan almond biscuits), but its complexity also makes it excellent with:

  • Aged and blue cheeses (like Gorgonzola).

  • Foie gras.

  • Dry pastries and complex desserts.

  • Enjoyed on its own as a "meditation wine."