{"title":"Italian mulled wine","description":"\u003ch2\u003eExperience classic Italian fortified wine\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen you dive into the world of genuine Italian fortified wine, you encounter a rich tradition of creating wines with remarkable depth. The hallmark of these wines is the elevated alcohol content, which typically lies between 15 and 22 percent. This is achieved by gently adding grape spirit or brandy during or immediately after fermentation. This process preserves the grapes' natural residual sugar and creates a beautiful spectrum of styles – ranging from bone-dry varieties to intensely sweet ones. The higher alcohol percentage also gives the wine a very special potential to develop and cellar over many decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eItalian fortified wine holds several historical and locally rooted specialties, all made using very distinctive techniques. In Sicily, for example, complex wines are created that undergo an oxidative maturation process inspired by the Spanish solera system. This results in a wine with deep amber-golden colors and warm notes of dried fruit, caramel, and toasted nuts. If you turn your gaze north to regions such as Piedmont, on the other hand, you will find aromatized and fortified wines, where the base is gently infused with selected herbs, roots, and spices. This gives the wine a refined, herbal, and appealing bittersweet character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDifferent types of Italian fortified wine\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe varied Italian landscape and strong local traditions have created a fascinating range of dessert wines and fortified wines. Each individual region has refined its own methods of concentrating the grapes' flavor, controlling fermentation, and maturing the wine. For you as a wine lover, this means ample opportunity to explore everything from oxidized and nutty profiles to more aromatic and spicy styles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMarsala and its nuances\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMarsala undoubtedly stands as one of the country's most iconic wines. It has its deep roots in Sicily, where it was originally created to withstand long sea voyages. Today, it is produced in several different styles, which include the golden versions Oro and Ambra, the latter of which often gets its gentle sweetness from the addition of caramelized grape must. In addition, there is the rarer Rubino variant, which is made from dark grapes and offers a pronounced fruity flavor profile.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe maturation process itself is one of the most captivating elements of this type of wine. Traditionally, a special fractional blending system called perpetuum is used, which closely resembles the solera system. Here, older vintages are continuously blended with younger wines, ensuring an incredibly beautiful and consistent development, where depth and freshness merge into a higher unity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eVin Santo from Tuscany\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVin Santo directly translated means \"holy wine\" and is a true Tuscan specialty made from local white grapes. The process begins with the fresh grapes being carefully laid out to dry for several months. This concentrates the natural sugar content and highlights the flavor compounds. Only when the grapes have reached exactly the right concentration are they pressed, and the must is ready to begin its aging.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhat truly gives the wine its identity is the aging in the small wooden barrels called caratelli. The barrels are only partially filled to allow for slow oxidation and are typically stored in open attics, where the wine senses the year's changing temperatures. Combined with a special yeast culture from previous vintages, known as \"madre\", this demanding process creates a wine with wonderful notes of nuts, honey, and dried fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Italian specialties\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the famous classics, the Italian wine world offers several other captivating variations. In regions such as Piedmont, historical aromatized wines are produced, where a fortified wine base draws flavor from a balanced composition of herbs, roots, and spices. You can find these in both sweet and dry versions, and they are especially appreciated for their complex and slightly bitter finish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOn islands such as Sardinia and Pantelleria, unique traditions are likewise found. Here, certain wines are aged under a protective layer of flor yeast, which adds an intense and almost sherry-like character, while others are made from sun-dried grapes and subsequently fortified to preserve a rich and intense fruit sweetness. Common to them all is an uncompromising focus on craftsmanship and local wine heritage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOptimal storage of vintage Italian fortified wine\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo preserve the wine's true integrity and ensure the full tasting experience, proper storage is absolutely crucial when dealing with older and rare wines. At Bottles With History, our bottles are typically between 20 and 60 years old, and they have all rested under optimal conditions before finding their way to you. To protect your historical wines as well as possible in your own cellar, we recommend that you follow a number of important principles.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eAlways store the bottles at a constant, cool temperature so the wine does not develop too quickly.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eEnsure appropriately high humidity. This prevents the cork from drying out and letting harmful oxygen into the bottle.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eProtect the wine from direct sunlight and strong artificial light, as UV rays can over time break down the wine's complex structure.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eGive the bottles peace from unnecessary shaking and vibrations so the natural sediment can safely be allowed to gather.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eStore your wines in an odor-free environment, as strong aromas can over time penetrate through the cork and affect the taste.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to serve a mature Italian fortified wine\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOpening an older bottle of wine is a beautiful ritual that requires a gentle approach to allow decades of maturation to fully express themselves. Over many years, the wine has developed a very special structure and complexity, which can easily be disturbed by incorrect handling. If you follow a calm and correct serving process, you ensure that the fine aromas and historical character emerge beautifully.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003col\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePreparation of the bottle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Start by standing the bottle upright, and let it remain upright for at least 24 hours before serving. Older vintages naturally form sediment as color pigments and crystals gather over time, and this resting period lets the sediment settle quietly and calmly at the bottom.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature control:\u003c\/strong\u003e Serve the wine at the correct temperature to highlight its special profile. The dry and very mature versions perform best at 14 to 18 degrees, while the sweeter variants can advantageously be enjoyed slightly chilled at 13 to 15 degrees to balance the residual sugar.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecanting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carefully pour the wine into a decanter approximately one to two hours before you are going to enjoy it. Stop pouring just before you can see that the sediment is approaching the neck of the bottle. The oxygenation allows the wine to open up and release the complex aromas that have been enclosed for decades.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChoice of glass:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a tulip-shaped glass that narrows at the top. This design is ideal for capturing and concentrating the wine's intense aromatic notes, while the high alcohol percentage is softened so the subtle nuances of dried fruit and spices are allowed to dominate.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA historical taste experience for the wine lover\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOpening and pouring a glass from a bottle that has matured under ideal conditions for decades is far more than just a tasting. For the dedicated wine lover and collector, it is a journey back in time. At Bottles With History, we fully understand the deep fascination of enjoying a wine that clearly reflects its origin, the year's weather conditions, and the traditional craftsmanship methods the winemaker used in that particular vintage. Every single drop carries a story of a special era, which can now be relived in the present.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOur passion for history and quality is the very foundation of the memorable moments created when sharing an exceptional bottle. Whether the wine is to mark a milestone birthday, an anniversary, or simply be enjoyed with deep respect for the art of wine, age contributes a soul and character that simply cannot be rushed. It is this unique story hidden in the glass that makes the experience unforgettable and emphasizes the value of choosing a wine with a genuine past.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSecure delivery from the Nordics' largest selection\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen you shop with Bottles With History, you can be sure of a safe and smooth experience from the moment the order is placed until the bottle stands in your cellar. With Scandinavia's and Europe's largest selection of historical wines, we offer next-day delivery, so you never have to wait long for your order, and you also get free shipping on purchases over 500 kroner. Our dedication to outstanding customer service is clearly reflected in our high customer satisfaction, where we proudly display a TrustScore of 4,6 out of 5 based on more than 200 reviews. We take great pride in ensuring that your valuable wine arrives safely, ready to create new, unforgettable memories.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"472","title":"RUFFINO 1970 SOLIENTO VINO LIQUOROSO","description":"\u003cp\u003eRUFFINO 1970 SOLIENTO VINO LIQUOROSO is a fortified wine from Italy, vintage 1970. It was produced by SOLIENTO VINO LIQUOROSO.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA bottle from 1970 makes a fitting gift for a birthday, an anniversary or another occasion connected to that year.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs with all older wines, fill level, cork and label can vary from bottle to bottle. Please see the photos, and feel free to contact us if you have questions about the condition of the bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eServe at 10–16 °C. 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This older vintage is rare and hard to find elsewhere. The wine is produced by ACQUAVITE DI TEROLDEGO ZENI and comes from the Piedmont region. Acquavite is a unique type of wine that is perfect for special occasions. This wine is well preserved and in good condition. A real gem for wine lovers with a sense of history and quality.","brand":"ACQUAVITE DI TEROLDEGO ZENI","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48786903630150,"sku":"1052","price":1000.0,"currency_code":"DKK","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0646\/3478\/1950\/products\/Photo-Room-002-20231031-135333.jpg?v=1699861078"},{"product_id":"marsala-crema-speciale-mandorla-nv","title":"Marsala Crema Speciale Mandorla NV","description":"\u003cp\u003eMarsala Crema Speciale Mandorla NV is a fortified wine from Italy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs with all older wines, fill level, cork and label can vary from bottle to bottle. Please see the photos, and feel free to contact us if you have questions about the condition of the bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eServe at 10–16 °C. 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Please see the photos, and feel free to contact us if you have questions about the condition of the bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eServe at 10–16 °C. 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