In addition to wine, the monks of San Masseo have started making Vermouth • Food and Wine Italia

English: Red wine has actually played a basic function in the history of Christianity and monks have actually been custodians, along with promoters, of this custom. As a sign of the blood of Christ, it has had a sacramental and liturgical value because Scriptural times, and has actually ended up being an important component in Eucharistic events. For this factor, the numerous monastic orders, particularly because the Middle Ages, have actually devoted a big part of their lives to the growing of vines and white wine production, establishing, before others, advanced agronomic and wine making methods efficient in continuously enhancing the quality of white wine. Over the centuries, the relationship in between white wine production and monastic activity has actually continued to progress and, even after the Reign of terror, when numerous abbeys were closed and their lands seized, the wine making methods and customs established by the monks were embraced by ordinary wine makers and today, if areas such as Burgundy or Champagne are popular throughout the world, it is because of the work of the monks, particularly the Cistercians, who protected those lands from disregard and barbarism.

This fascinating mix of spirit, history and ancient wine making knowledge led us to find the white wines made inside the Benedictine abbey of San Masseo, at the foot of the historical center of Assisi and going back to 1050 ADVERTISEMENT, where the care of the vine and olive tree has actually been taken control of by the monks of Bose for some years now, who can depend on a vineyard of about 2 hectares for the growing of Grechetto di Todi and Red wine, thanks to the assistance of the visitors of the Abbey. In specific, from the very first vineyard, an old plant over 50 years old, about 2 thousand bottles of Grechetto di Assisi Doc Bio (100% steel) are produced, which, provided its rarity, we were fortunate sufficient to taste, validating, with massive surprise, that it is a gewurztraminer that is anything however banal, far from business production viewpoints and, specifically for this factor, efficient in improving the peculiarities of a vine with terrific prospective such as Grechetto di Todi. This white wine, in truth, is valued for its interesting notes of elderberry, green apple, fresh almond and citrus. On the taste buds it is abundant in taste and thoughtful freshness and closes happily on fruity memories.

From the Red wine vineyard of about twenty years comes Rubeum (likewise in this case vinified just in steel), a red that makes pleasantness its strength: it is fresh, vinous, tastes of cherry and blackberry and on the taste buds it is determined, vibrant, representing a fantastic wild card for numerous pairings at the table, beginning with treated meats. The other flagship label of the abbey is called Masseo, an excellent Vermouth born by opportunity. A couple of years earlier, in truth, a part of the production of Grechetto, due to a mistake, had oxidation problems. Among the monks then had a concept: why not attempt to make a Vermouth? So among the very best Piedmontese manufacturers was called and, to make this aromatized white wine a lot more territorial, proposed utilizing (in addition to the traditional absinthe and juniper) likewise some Mediterranean botanicals from Mount Subasio. This is the viewpoint of the monks of Bose: simply as a waste item can be utilized to make a brand-new, premium prepared white wine, so from every person who pertains to the abbey, looking for peace and to relieve a thousand injuries, a completely brand-new, alive and abundant person can emerge. It is no coincidence that this Vermouth is getting terrific honor from anybody who tastes it.