Where can I find vin santo?

[christina_hunnicutt]

I am visiting Chicago in March and would like to buy a few bottles of vin santo to take home. Is there a wine merchant that supplies vin santo in Chicago? And, do you have a favorite brand of vin santo?

[nsxtasy]

You might want to call ahead to whatever Sam's or Binny's location you're planning to go to, to make sure they have it for you in whatever quantity you need. Since their website has it, they probably have it at their warehouse but not necessarily at every one of their stores, but I'm sure they can get it for you at any store if you arrange for it in advance.

Sam's is more of a specialty wine store, well-known in the Chicago area. Everyone knows where to go for wine, and Sam's is it. The store in Chicago is the big, original one; I haven't been to their other locations, so I don't really know anything about how they compare.

Binny's is more like a traditional big liquor store chain with a big wine department.

Watch the weather reports; if the overnight temperatures are going down well below freezing, you probably don't want to leave the wine in your car overnight!

[christina_hunnicutt]

Thanks for the tip on leaving wine in your car--I'll definately take it inside!!

[Abacus]

My favorite Vin Santo is:
1998 Felsina - Vin Santo del Chianti Classico
Italy - Tuscany - Chianti
Regional Blend - goes for about $30 a bottle - give or take a buck or two.
I've had several others but this is heavenly and my favorite.
Cheers!

[christina_hunnicutt]

Thanks- I'm writing this down for when I visit Chicago in two weeks!

[Judith]

Vin Santo and biscotti is a wonderful dessert, and I guess lots of us have acquired the taste in Tuscany. I have no idea about the rules governing wine sales where you are, and of course here in California wine is available everywhere all the time, but I've gotten Vin Santo at Whole Foods.

[christina_hunnicutt]

Wine/Liquor can be purchased M-Sa, but no Sunday sales. We also cannot buy alcohol over the internet/telephone, etc. unless you're a wholesaler. Finally, no Whole Foods here in NE Indiana- we have big-box grocers like Meijer, WalMart and Kroger and a few local health food shops.

[Judith]

I guess we're really spoiled here. But if you find it anywhere, look for Ricasoli. It's the one I like the best.

[christina_hunnicutt]

Thanks! When I was in Florence last May I would end my meal with vin santo and biscottini. But, living in Indiana there are no liquor shops that sell it, and getting wine sent to IN is illegal. Hopefully I can stock up at Sam's or Binny's.

[nsxtasy]

I did a search on Sam's website and found two selections:

Cantine Baroncini "Il Santo" Vin Santo, Toscana NV
$7.99 375ml

San Felice Vin Santo del Chianti Classico 2000
$25.99 375ml

Sam's Wine
CHICAGO
DOWNERS GROVE
HIGHLAND PARK
800-777-9137
www.samswine.com

I did a search on Binny's website and found five selections:

Villa Puccini Vin Santo
500ML $11.99/btl

1994 - Avignonesi Vin Santo
375ML $145.00/btl

1999 - Badia a Coltibuono Vin Santo
375ML $34.99/btl

1999 - Poggio Bonelli Vin Santo
500ML $44.99/btl

2000 - Geografico Vin Santo
500ML $28.99/btl

Binny's Beverage Depot
Buffalo Grove
Des Plaines
Downtown Chicago
Elmwood Park
Glen Ellyn
Glencoe
Highland Park
Hyde Park
Lakeview
McHenry
Naperville
Niles
Orland Park
River Grove
Schaumburg
Skokie
St. Charles
Willowbrook
[phone]
www.binnys.com

FWIW, I had never heard of vin santo. According to Wikipedia, "Vin Santo (holy wine) is an Italian dessert wine. This traditional Tuscan wine is made from Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes, and is typically very sweet." More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vin_santo

[Chicago Mike]

Try Sam's and Binny's.