When the grape harvest comes to an end, there is an air of joy at Palazzo Centofanti. This year, as every year, we brought to life a tradition that is lost in the mists of time: the preparation of mosto cotto (cooked must) and vino cotto (cooked wine). It is a ritual rooted in Roman antiquity, a celebration that takes us back in time when must boiled in cauldrons and the family gathered in a festive atmosphere.
Back to Our Roots: The Harvest Tradition at Palazzo Centofanti
In our family, the process begins with the harvesting of the grapes, taking care and attention that has marked our work for generations. Each bunch is carefully chosen, and after pressing, the must is created. This stage is crucial: this is where the sweetness of the grapes is transformed into a fragrant and lively juice. The must is then boiled. An essential step to concentrate the flavors and create a dense, aromatic product.
Yet it is not just a simple winemaking process; it is a bond that connects us to those who have lived before us. Every year, as the must begins to simmer, the memory of Nonna Lucia comes alive. In her warm and affectionate voice, she tells us how, until a few decades ago, the preparation of the must was a festive occasion, a time to share with family and friends.
Mosto Cotto a precious product
Mosto cotto (cooked must) can be enjoyed on its own, but it is also the basis for Vino cotto (cooked wine), which is made through an additional fermentation process. To turn cooked must into cooked wine, must flower (fresh uncooked must) is added, which activates fermentation. It is crucial to understand this distinction: cooked must is the first step, a sweet and rich preparation that, with time and patience, becomes cooked wine.
In this transformation lies the magic of winemaking: the transition from a simple juice to a product that holds stories, memories and traditions. Each sip of cooked wine is a toast to the past and the future, a way to honor the work of our ancestors and continue to write our history.
Palazzo Centofanti keeps traditions alive
Today, more than ever, maintaining this heritage is essential. In a fast-paced world where traditions seem to fade away, it is vital for the Centofanti family to renew the link with our origins every year. We want to preserve these values and tell our story so that future generations can also savor the sweetness of cooked must and wine. In conclusion, our commitment in Palazzo Centofanti is not only in the production of quality wines, but also in celebrating and preserving a unique cultural heritage. Every harvest, every preparation of cooked must is a act of love, a celebration to be shared and a bond to be strengthened. It is our way of saying that tradition lives on, and lives on in every family, in every toast and every smile.
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