These delicately flavored cookies are as Italian as they get. They aren’t overly sweet which makes them perfect for dipping and their unique taste keeps you coming back for more. The fact that they only have 4 ingredients makes them quick to mix up and even though the process of rolling and making the little rings can take a bit of time, it is relaxing and enjoyable…and you know there is a lovely treat at the end! These are the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea, coffee, wine or even a glass of Vin Santo itself. The fun shape of these cookies also makes them an attractive addition to your holiday spread or cookie tray….or put them in little gift bags along with a bottle of Vin Santo or wine for a sweet gift.

SO WHAT IS VIN SANTO? Vin Santo is considered a dessert wine and in Italian it’s name means “holy wine”. In Tuscany, where it is believed to have originated, it is usually made from Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes which are both white grapes. The preparation for Vin Santo is different from wine in that the grapes are dried out for months before the juices are pressed out of them. This helps the sugars and flavors concentrate. A few things I thought were very interesting (and different) about Vin Santo is that traditionally it was aged in chestnut wood which is more porous wood and would allow more of the wine to evaporate as well adding in additional tannins. Also during the aging process the wine barrel is not completely filled which exposes the wine to air and traditionally the barrels were stored in attics which would expose them to varying temperatures. All very different from “wine” :)

VIN SANTO can be enjoyed by itself after a meal or you can have it along with some biscotti….like the ones in this recipe. The classic Tuscan biscotti “cantucci” are often dipped in this beautiful sweet amber liquid too!

MY EXPERIENCE - The first time I ever tried Vin Santo was during a wine tasting tour with the Koine Center, an Italian language school that I was attending in Florence. We took and early morning bus and traveled to the little town of Panzano, about 45 min south of Florence. After stepping off of the bus we walked straight into a little bar to get a heavenly morning cappuccino and cornetto. We then spent a few hours hearing about the history of the area and walking through the village and nearby countryside. This place had all the classic scenes. The picturesque Italian village with cafes, shops and The Madonna street shrine on the corner. The gentlemen and ladies out chatting on streets and on benches. The tree lined roads that look out on the rolling Tuscan hills. The olive groves. The vineyards. All the things my soul was made for!

For lunch and our wine tasting we headed to Sassolini Winery and villa right in the small town of Panzano. This was my first experience of this kind. A tour bus with a bunch of other students. A wine tasting and homemade lunch in a beautiful Tuscan villa. It. Was. Divine! And the thing I remember most about it was that we had there estate Vin Santo and cantucci biscotti for dessert :) This was also completely new to me and in the beginning the idea of dipping a cookie in wine didn’t sound that appealing. It was magic though! I ended up buying a few bottles of the Vin Santo to bring home. I still have one in fact. Should I open it?!?

* The Recipe *

Italian Vin Santo Biscotti Rings

2 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour
1 Cup sugar (1/2 cup for the dough and 1/2 cup for the sugar coating)
1/2 Cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 Cup Vin Santo or alternative (see below)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and have two parchment paper lined baking sheets ready.

2. In a large bowl, combine the flour and sugar. Add in the olive oil and Vin Santo and stir until combined well and smooth. Form the dough into a ball. If dough is slightly dry you can add in more Vin Santo, 1 tsp at a time.

3. Divide the dough into 6 section. Cut one section into 8 pieces. Roll each piece into approx. a 4” long log. Shape the log into a ring and pinch the ends together with your fingers. Coat both sides lightly in the sugar and then place on the cookie sheets. Repeat with remaining dough spacing the cookies at least an inch apart from each other.

4. Bake the rings for 20 mins or until golden brown. Let sit to cool for 4-5 min.

5. Transfer the cookies to cooling racks to finishing cooling completely.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

*Don’t have any Vin Santo? That’s ok! A sweet Marsala is a great substitute! The flavors of the final product will vary slightly depending on what you use :)