Marchese Antinori Vinsanto 375

Vinsanto is a sweet Tuscan-style dessert wine, and this 375 ml half bottle is sized for a table of two to four. The listing doesn't give a grape blend, vintage or alcohol level, so what follows describes the style and what to expect from it. Vin Santo is traditionally made from white grapes such as Trebbiano and Malvasia that are dried before pressing and then aged in small casks. Styles like this usually show amber to deep gold colour and aromas of dried apricot, fig, roasted hazelnut, honey and caramelised orange peel. Expect a full, viscous body, sweetness balanced by lively acidity, and little or no tannin. Cask ageing tends to add nutty, toasted notes, and the finish is typically long and nutty. The shelf category lists it as an Italian red, but the style is normally amber rather than red. Check the label for the exact colour and sweetness level. Vin Santo is classically served with almond biscotti or cantucci, and dipping the biscuit into the glass is the traditional way to do it. It also works with aged pecorino, gorgonzola or other blue cheeses, where the sweetness offsets the salt. Other good matches are almond or hazelnut tarts, panettone, dried fruit and not-too-sweet fruitcake. A dessert much sweeter than the wine will make it taste thin and sharp, so choose something plainer. Serve it lightly chilled, at roughly 10 to 13°C (50 to 55°F). Colder than that mutes the nutty aromas, and warmer makes the sweetness feel heavy. It doesn't need decanting. If the cork is cracked or the wine looks cloudy, pour it carefully. Use a small white wine glass or a dessert wine glass with a tapered rim, which concentrates the aromas, and pour 60 to 90 ml per serving. Wines of this style are generally ready to drink on release, and the sweetness and acidity help them keep for some years in a cool, dark spot. Store the bottle upright or on its side according to the closure. Once opened, re-cork it and keep it in the refrigerator, where it holds its character for a couple of weeks. Check the producer's tasting notes or the back label for confirmed details.