L'etichetta di Choco&Wine disegnata da Kobi WiesengangenChoco&Wine is beyond doubt the first creamy spread in the world made of wine and dark chocolate.
I have always loved dark chocolate and wine but have always consumed them separately. I used to accompany at least 70% dark chocolate with Armagnac or with some type of Ron Invecchiato (Aged Rum) whereas I used to accompany white and red wine and spumante with any type of good quality dish. For me chocolate and wine were two separate worlds.
An idea then crossed my mind: a spreadable cream made of wine and dark chocolate. I spoke about it to Franco Rizzati, a young and enthusiastic chocolate artisan who agreed that the mixture could be tried out.
I wanted a fine and high quality cream to bring out the best qualities of dark chocolate and of important red wines.
To carry out this idea I asked some friends who are also wine producers whether I could use the best of their red wines.
Many trials and counter checks were carried out until finally the right formula was achieved: dark unconched chocolate from Trinidad and Venezuela, 80% pure, and red wine, in equal parts without preservatives and hydrogenated fats plus Franco Rizzati's magic touch.
Below is a list of friends who have helped and supplied me with the following bottled wines:
Tommaso Bianchi: Amarone Classico* d.o.c. - Az. Agr. Dall'Abaco Fedrigoni Giuseppe Gorelli : Brunello di Montalcino* d.o.c.g. - Az. Agr. Le Potazzine Gian Luigi Lenzi : Chianti Classico Riserva* d.o.c.g. - Az. Agr. Fattoria di Petroio Franco Zanovello : Sassonero* Merlot Colli Euganei d.o.c. - Az. Agr. Ca'Lustra Paolo Valle : Refosco dal peduncolo rosso* d.o.c C.O.F. - Cantina Gigi Valle Gianpaolo Paglia: Morellino di Scansano* d.o.c. - Az. Agr. PoggioArgentiera Francesco Lombardo: Nobile di Montepulciano* d.o.c.g. Az. Agr. Lombardo Sergio Barale: Barolo Chinato Daniele Accordini: Recioto Classico d.o.c. - Cantina di Negrar Mario Pojer: "Merlino" rosso delle Dolomiti rinforzato - Az.Agr. Pojer e Sandri Valle dell'Asso: "Macaro" Aleatico passito Salento igt
Note: "Az. Agr." stands for "Azienda Agricola" that is, in this case, the wine estate where the wine is produced.
ZECCHINO Prosecco d.o.c. Spumante Brut
A gold Zecchino minted by the Serenissima Repubblica di Venezia
Prosecco d.o.c. Brut "ZECCHINO" is a spumante obtained by the Martinotti method.
With the new regulations "...the term "Glera" has been recognised as a "Prosecco" variety of grape..." therefore Prosecco spumante d.o.c. can be produced from the type of grape in the following Provinces of Veneto Region: Trevioso, Padova, Vicenza, Belluno, Venezia and in the following Provinces of the Friuli Venezia Giulia: Trieste, Gorizia, Udine e Pordenone.
The quality of the wine does not only depend on the terrain where the vines are grown but also on how the vineyards are looked after, the yeld and the vinification technique.
I chose the best Prosecco wine coming from the Trevigiane Hills that I found on the market and entrusted it to an expert in the production of "prise de mousse".
With the Martinotti method, more commonly known as the Charmat method, not only is the quality of the wine base important, but also the choice of yeasts and the duration of the effervescence; we used only yeasts of a very high quality and the wine ws kept in the autoclave for over 90 days.
The result is a very refined and light Spumante, with a subtle and persistent effervescence, rich in aromas that are easily identified by eperience, keeping in mind that the aromas of a newly poured wine evolve after a few minute of standing.
Classification table on the basis of the percentage of the sugar present per litre.
Zero dosage: if less than 3 gr/l and the product has not undergone addition of sugar. Extra Brut: if between 0 and 6gr/l Brut: between 6 and 15 gr/l
Extra dry: between 12 and 20 gr/l Sec or Dry: between 17 and 35 gr/l Demi sec or Abboccato: between 33 and 50 gr/l Dolce: if above 50 gr/l If the sugar content falls within two of the above-listed categories, the producer can only use one of his choice. For our "ZECCHINO" Prosecco d.oc. Spumante, that has a sugar content of around 13 gr/l, we have opted for the Brut label.
On the label is a reproduction of a gold Zecchino of the "Serenissima Repubblica di Venezia" (this was the name given an ex independent State where Venice was the capital), minted during one of the most turbulent moments of its history.
On the back label we give the following information:
Grapes: Glera Grapeharvest: during the 2nd half of September, from the hillsides of the Province of Treviso. Vinification: without the skin, temperature of 20°C Prise de mousse: slow refermentation for 90 days in an autoclave at 12°C, Martinotti method. Storage: at 5/7°C upright or horizontal. Serving Temperature: 8/10°C Serving suggestions: as aperitif, along with crustaceans, sea food nd oily fish, with a light meal, along with deep fried seafood. It is wasted if used to make spritz. Flavour: a spumante rich in aromas and flavours that can esily be identified.
IL CARLINO Spumante Brut
Pinot Grigio Spumante Brut This is a Spumante Brut obtained by the Martinotti method from Pinot Grigio grapes
I always wanted to offer a spumante brut where it was easy to recognise the characteristics of the grapes of origin. To do this I entrusted myself to a great artisan
We chose the wine base together: Pinot Grigio.
The second fermentation to obtain effervecence is a slow process of 90 days at low tmperature wich allows for the acquisition of the highet level of quality from the grape utilised.
The spumante is then bottled and given the name "IL CARLINO"
Tabella delle classificazioni in base alla percentuale di zuccheri presenti per litro.
Dosaggio zero: se inferiore a 3 g/l ed il prodotto non ha subito aggiunta di zucchero.
Extra-brut: se compreso tra 0 e 6 g/l.
Brut: tra 6 e 15 g/l.
Extra-dry: se compreso tra 12 e 20 g/l.
Sec o Dry: se compreso tra 17 e 35 g/l.
Demi-sec o Abboccato: se compreso tra 33 e 50 g/l.
Dolce: se superiore a 50 g/l.
Se il tenore in zucchero consente l'indicazione di due delle diciture sopra elencate, lo spumantizzatore può usarne una sola a propria scelta.
Per il nostro Spumante “IL CARLINO”, che ha un grado zuccherino intorno ai 13 g/l, abbiamo optato per la dicitura BRUT, pur essendo “morbido” non perde le caratteristiche delle uve da cui proviene.
On the label and back label is a "Carlino" from 1523, one of the most animated periods of Europian history.
Enogastronomic advice:
This Spumante can accompany a light meal extremely well though it very best comes out with sea food: we also sugget it as an aperitif, either as it is or in combination with fresh ornge, peach or strawberry juice.It is wasted as a spritz.
It is a Spumante rich in aromas and flavours that are easily identified.
To be served at a temperature of around 10°C. Alcoholic content: 12,0 % vol.
Il Carlino Spumante Rosa Brut
IL CARLINO Spumante Brut RoséThis is a Spumante Rosa Brut obtained by the Marinotti method, also known as Charmat.
Angelo Rasi, The late owner of the wine shop wich also serves food "Angelo Rasi di Padova", had advised me, 4 years ago, to complement my Prosecco Brut Zecchino and Spumante Brut Il Carlino with a Spumante Brut Rosa. I was never really enthusiastic about rosés, but the suggestion intrigued me and now, finally, I have managed to produce a product that is to my satisfaction: a blend of Pinot Nero, Merlot and Raboso, vinificted to a rosé, that is, with a short contact time with the skin,and kept inside autoclave for 90 days.
I am sad that Angelo, was not able to help me in the section of the wines, but I hope that he can too appreciate this addition to my products from wherever he is,
Wall Wine rack
Wall wine rack for 6 bottles
This is a pratical wine rack for hanging on the wall, made of chromium plated galvanised iron
Six bottles of wine can be placed in a lying position in a limited space.
it is supplied with an L screw to be able to hook the upper part and with a star head screw, that is inserted into a washer.
Its dimension allow for it insertion inside gift boxes for 6 bottles.
