Tuesday, 4 December 2012

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Oh oh oh MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

MAKE IT A WARM  FAMILY CHRISTMAS

pure love  for  GOOD FOOD &  fine WINE around the table

Pls see my sommelier's choice and REAL BARGAINS FOR YOUR FESTIVITIES

At Domus Cella we are passionate about wine, with a mission to expand thevexperience beyond the expected brands that have overrun the palates of UK wine lovers. By sourcing directly the finest, undiscovered bottles, from family run vineyards, Domus Cella consistently deliver outstanding quality.We specialize in bringing to a select few, access to the finest wines that untilnow have never left their home shores and regions; these great wines have notpreviously been imported and enjoyed in the UK.Our team maintain direct and personal relationships with a selected group ofwinery FAMILY owners, ensuring first hand, non-commoditised experiences are availableto share with our customers, family and friends.

Do not hesitate to contac me to receive the full wine promotion simon@domuscella.com


Here are some suggestions for your parties and Christmas’s meals 

 FOOD & WINE MATCHING

 

BUBBLES

Serre Valgres Prosecco Extra Dry DOCG Grand Cuvèe

Normally at £ 16.00 per bottle Now Reduced to £ 13.00!!! Save £18 x case

Pale straw yellow coloured. The sparkling is small-grained and the perlage is delicate and persistent. Its aroma is a mix of apple, pear, banana, wisteria and jasmine. Velvety, wide, creamy with a vague hint of raisins.  Try with king prawn cocktail, antipasti Italian cured meat, canapes, smoke salmon blinis or platter, chicken and pork platter, buffet food, marinated olives, salted snacks, salads, fruits desserts IWC SILVER 2009

 

WHITES

Passerina 2010 IGT

Normally at £ 11.50 per bottle Now Reduced to £10 !!! Save £9 x case

A very well made wine. Great intensity in the nose, the grapefruit,melon and a hint of pineapple give this wine a wonderful bouquet.The palate is flavorful, well balanced and just as exciting as the nose.It has lemon, pear, melon, apple and mineral flavors. The finish isfairly long and enjoyable. Try with sushi canapés, cous cous roast vegetables, crabs and lobster, soft cheese, greek salad, pesto pasta, seafood

 

Castello di Buttrio Sauvignon DOC 2010

Normally at £14.50 per bottle Now Reduced to £13.99 !!! Save £3 x case

Pale yellow colour with greenish hues. Very aromatic, yet delicate. Hints of yellow bell peppers and sage with notes of tropical fruits, peach, melons. Broad, full, soft and elegant at the palate. Perfect match also with oysters, assorted cooked meat platter, fish pie, fish & chips, pesto pasta, salads, gravadlax and smoke salmon, risotto, ravioli, mild cheddar

 

Massimo Pastura Gavi DOC 2011 - Il Poggio

Normally at £13 per bottle Now Reduced to £12 !!! Save £6 x case

This wine comes from a single vineyard with 60 years old vines located between the town of Gavi and Arquata Scrivia, on a very clayey and stony soil. Full of flavours and aromas, typical of the Cortese grape, this wine shows a good complexity, elegance and balance in the mouth. Excellent with flavored starters, sea food and white meat. Try with pork, turkey and cranberry pie, cranberry and orange ham, orange duck, turkey breast stuffed with sweet winter fruits, gammon with winter chutney, apricots and cranberrries, chinese &spicy food goat cheese,

 

REDS

Leyus Ribeira Del Duero Roble, 2007

Normally at £12.50  per bottle Now Reduced to £11 !!! Save £9 x case

Made from 100% Tempranillo grapes and aged for 9 months in French and American oak barrels, this wine has an intense cherry colour. At the palate the tannins, acidity and alcohol appear very balanced, making it fresh and long in the mouth. Very expressive on the nose as the varietal aromas are not masked by the funds toasted and vanilla ofthe wood. Match with cooked and roasted turkey chicken slices, Honey roast ham, barbecue chinese and hot and spicy chicken wngs selection, selection of  cured Italian meats and antipasti, chicken and pork pate’, pig roast, rack of pork, pies, pasta, beef stroganoff, paiella, risotto, pizza, mature cheddar & brie

 

Anfra Nero dei due Mori Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2007

Normally at £15.50  per bottle Now Reduced to £14.99 !!! Save £3 x case

Deep cardinal red bright with violet reflecting shimmers. Rich to the palette, the taste is delicate and intense, fruity with hints of red berries, jam and spices. Soft and long flavour with a well-balanced tannic aftertaste. Dry, very hot with a soft tannic structure perfectly balanced from the proper barrique passage. Persistent, harmonious, and gripping. Best with goose, duck, boneless leg and carvey leg of lamb with garlic and rosmary, lamb shanks, beef wellington, peppered beef, tomato and red pepper pasta, chilli with carne, lasagne al forno, risotto, stilton

 

SWEET WINES

La Viarte passito SIUM IGT 2006

Normally at £16.99  per bottle Now Reduced to £15.99 !!! Save £6 x case

“Dream” in Friuli dialect. Obtained from selected Verduzzo Friulano and Picolit grapes air-dried and raisined in wooden boxes in a naturally ventilated storage environment. A bright amber yellow in the glass with a delicate bouquet. Lusciously fat yet satisfyingly firm. There are aromas of apricot, nectarine, honey and - surprisingly in a white wine – hoary stock. Food match pate, fresh foie grass, profiterols, red berry cheese cake, tarte au chocolate, panettone, ginger cake, Christmas pudding, fruit salad, cheese board, stilton

 

Free delivery for order over £150 - Usually delivery Charge Min.12 bottles order £15

For Christmas’ deliveries last day order 17.12.12

Stock up now for Christmas availability limited offer ends on 15 January 2012

Do not hesitate to contact me if you require your specific food & wine matching

 

Simon Cassina AIWS 

O:   +44 (0) 2084668906

M:  +44 (0) 7447484205

E:    simon@domuscella.com

www.domuscella.com


Thursday, 4 October 2012

Avete mai provato Cioccolato, Mandarino e Moscato di Scanzo ? Eccovelo servitto da Simon C. sommelier

LOMBARDY’S WINES - North Italy

At The Dinner by Heston Blumenthal Mandarin Hotel London 3rd October 2012

Tutored by: Simon Cassina AIWS

 

Lombardiavitivinicola_new

Please download the free Lombardy wine book in pdf format http://www.buonalombardia.it/images/File/Allegati%20pubblicazioni/Vini09ING-O...

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LISTA VINI

1. LUGANA D.O.C. 2011  “RICCHI” 

2. Valcalepio Riserva DOC 2006  “LA ROCCHETTA”

3. GRADONI Curtefranca D.O.C 2007    “VILLA”

4. PRIORE Cabernet Bergamasca I.G.T. 2009  “LA BRUGHERATA”

5. FOJA D’OR Riserva Botticino D.O.C. 2004    “FRANZONI”

6. MESSERE Sforzato Valtellina D.O.C.G 2006 “CAVEN”

7. DOGE Moscato di Scanzo D.O.C.G. 2007 “LA BRUGHERATA”

Masterclass_at_the_dinnery_by_blumenthal_3

Simon Cassina AIWS e JOAO PIRES Master Sommelier at The Dinner 

 

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Un TRIO PERFETTO cioccolato, mandarino e Doge Da proporre al piu' presto non appena Joao torna dal suo viaggio in Australia
Dinner-2

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Wednesday, 22 August 2012

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2010 STROPPIANA Dolcetto D’Alba Doc

The name PIEMONTE means 'at the foot of the mountains. It sits at the foot of the Western Alps, which encircle the region to the north and west, forming Italy's naturally formidable border with France. To its south-east lie the northernmost Apennine Mountains.These low coastal hills divide Piedmont from its long, thin neighbour Liguria, which is all that separates Piedmont from the Mediterranean Sea.

 

Piedmont is often described as the 'Burgundy' of Italy, a reputation due to its many small-scale, family wineries and a focus on quality which sometimes borders on obsession. Nebbiolo grapes are behind four of Piedmont's DOCGs: Barolo and Barbaresco (two of Italy's finest reds), Roero and Gattinara. Nebbiolo wines are known for their 'tar and roses' bouquet, and the pronounced tannins. Barbera, a dark-skinned variety from the Monferrato hills: reds with good acidity and aromas of fresh plums and dark cherries. They are noticeably less tannic 

The third red grape of Piedmont is Dolcetto, with several DOCs to its name (d'Alba, d'Acqui and di Ovada are the top three). Although its name means 'little sweet one', Dolcetto is usually used to make dry red wines with an appetizing, gently bitter finish. 

 2010 STROPPIANA Dolcetto D’Alba Doc 

(100% mono-varietal DOLCETTO grape)

 

DOLCETTO grape an early ripening grape, Dolcetto produces soft-styled, fruit-driven wines with low acidity, particularly compared to those made from Nebbiolo and tangy Barbera, Piedmont’s two most popular red wine grapes. It is these low acid levels which have earned the vine its name Dolcetto, which means 'little sweet one'. This is not the case of Stroppiana  a complex Dolcetto d’Alba. A typical Dolcetto wine is intensely, brightly colored and offers dark, gently spicy aromas with earthy undertones of almonds – or walnuts in more tannic examples. Generally the wines are not designed for long-term cellaring, and should be consumed within three or four years of vintage. 

The winery is owned by Dario STROPPIANA, who, aided by his wife Stefania, takes care of every production process, from the vineyard to the cellar. 

“A definitely step up from standard Dolcettos. its aromas are reminiscent of lavender and violets with a hint of almonds. It has a characteristically purplish ruby-red colour, fresh black cherry fruit flavours, strawberries, raspberry, encased in sweet spices and a slightly bitter almond finish. The extra flavour intensity makes the wine a good partner to quite highly flavoured dishes like lamb biriyani. Try with pates, gammon joint, roast chicken or pork- lambs chops or chill lightly and serve with cold meat. Serve at 16-18 c

VINEYARDS: situated in the localities of S.Giacomo, Rivalta di La Morra and Gabutti Bussia in Monforte d’Alba .VINEYARD EXPOSURE: south-west. ALTITUDE: 400 m above sea level.YEAR PLANTED: 1963. YIELD PER HECTARE: 5000-6000 kilograms (5-6 metric tonnes). ALCOHOL CONTENT: 13% vol. AVERAGE ANNUAL PRODUCTION: 5000 bottles.

WINEMAKING PROCESS: the grapes are harvested in the middle of September and undergo soft pressing. The must ferments on skins for about 10 days at a controlled temperature no higher than 30-32 °C. It is pumped over at least 4 times a day to fully extract the characteristic ruby red colour with violet hues and the tannins.

AGEING: upon completion of fermentation the wine is transferred to steel tanks for racking off with frequent decantation. It is here that malo-lactic fermentation takes place. The wine is bottled in summer, when the weather is hot, and is released for sale after a month in the bottle.

http://www.cantinastroppiana.com

www.domuscella.com duty paid £8.50 min. order 12 bottles

 

Saturday, 21 July 2012

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TIKKA MUSCATA by Simon C. sommelier The fortune to be a Londoner 

De Setúbal Doc is a good value for money sweet wine from Peninsula de Setubal which is not so far from the capital Lisboa.  MS has got a refreshing round aromas which blends with the warm pungent fuming of the curry dish.  We encounter the typical Muscat’s floral note blends, with an uplifting orange skin tang, caramel, hazelnuts, candied fruits amazingly mix with the paprika, turmeric sweet and pungent oriental spices. 

582
http://www.horaciosimoes.com/pdfs/Company_Presentation_CA_Horacio_Simoes.pdfM...

 On the palate we have a complementary match between the acidity of the tomatoes sauce and the high MS ginger acidity. The TA is perfect to cut through the heavy coconuts cream texture. Furthermore the Muscatel’s alcohol helps to balance the weight of the dish. I like the delicate combination when you find a bit of chicken. The drink sugar content and the orange marmalade tang and  the oily viscosity  is a perfect match to calm down the hot red chilly spiciness of the dish.  So it does the long PAI after taste factor. I think there is a good complimentary balance in all the parts of the dish and drink.  I recommend to serve MS at cellar temperature to make it even more, a refreshing exotic experience. A good piece of papadom and last glass at the end of the meal is good Karma indeed. TIKKA MUSCATA is a unique innovative match, affordable and very well integrated in the English modern gastronomy culture. Tikka masala is a British invention, expression of the creativity and diversity of this country. 

Tikka-masala

http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/chicken-recipes/chicken-tikka-masala

TIKKA MUSCATA is a unique innovative match, affordable and very well integrated in the English modern gastronomy culture. Tikka masala is a British invention, expression of the creativity and diversity of this country. 

Saturday, 9 June 2012

FRANCIAMOSCATA cocktail the best from two great Lombardy DOCG

Franciamoscata_cocktail_by_simon
FRANCIAMOSCATA is a lovely cocktails that I made few weeks ago for the first time.

I dared to mix two Lombardy DOCGs.

1 Part of red MOSCATO DI SCANZO &

2 Parts of FRANCIACORTA (n.b. a drop of fresh orange juice can be nice alternative too)

The result is oustanding and I'm having a good response from friends.

It's has got a natural elegance and it is still possible to enjoy the expression of the two Terroirs and grapes involved.

Simple, unique but NEW the FRANCIAMOSCATA for your summer 2012 ahahha SALUTE I hope to celebrate the italian football team victory tomorrow with it...or will be Cava forever ahahah I'm kidding

Thursday, 8 March 2012

LOMBARDY Taste&Wine Uk

Lombardiavitivinicola_new

Lombardy Taste and Wine

We are about the promotion of the wines of the historic and multifaceted region of Lombardy. It is Italy’s wealthiest region accounting for more than a fifth of the country’s GDP. The administrative centre of Italy may well be Rome but the Industrial and Mercantile heart is Milan! The famous fashion houses, banking, automotive, engineering, pharmaceutical and not to mention the world renowned food industry. Also tourism, 16% of visitors to the region come from the UK. Lombardy is home to five airports. So very easy to access! Visitors come for the wonderful lakes, mountains world famous cities and towns full of architectural jewels and magnificent history stretching back over millennia. Not forgetting the unrivalled cuisine and wines. Which makes it all the more surprising that the wines of Lombardy are not readily available in the UK and further afield.   Our aim is quite simple we intend to change this anomaly !  We intend to put Lombardy wines on the map and in to the consciousness of the consumer in the UK.  The linkage between the fashion industry of Milan and Franciacorta needs to be exploited.  The unique expression of high altitude Nebbiolo from Valtellina and Moscato di Scanzo is so exciting and these wines should be out there! Let’s not forget the Pinot Noir and Riesling from Oltrepo’ Pavese, Lugana e Chiaretto pink wine from Garda.    

Between us we have many years of combined retail, on-trade and wine and food education experience.

We intend to do this:

·        by becoming agents for wineries and finding distributors for others.

·        Promotion into the on-trade and specialist retail.

·        Working with and cooperating with regional wine bodies and boards.

·        Offering specific wine education to the on-trade , retail and consumer. This will be facilitated through seminars and tastings.

·        Offering wine and food tasting events.

·       Eventually being able to other tailored made wine trips to the region.  

Arrivederci

Wikipedia-it-lombardy

 

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

DOGE 2007 docg incontra Amelia Rope - Soho Hotel London 22.02.12

Una DOLCE SORPRESA questi sono i tre cioccolati che si abbinano perfettamente al DOGE MOSCATO DI SCANZO DOCG 2007 dopo aver passato uno dei piu' dolci momenti della mia vita in compagnia di Amelia Rope.
In meno di mezz'ora abbiamo provato tutto il suo range abbinandolo al buon moscatello di Scanzo seduti nel cool Soho Hotel bar con la curiosita' ma contenuta intrusione tipica Brits.
Amelia si e' meravigliata del fatto che ho mangiato tutti i suoi cioccolati senza metter uno da parte. Come avrei potuto fare un simile affronto alla mia persona. Mi reputo un buongustaio.
Solo tre si sono abbinati perfettemente creando qualcosa di unico e complementare. 
- PALE ROSE 40% cocoa (cioccolato alla rosa) Io suggerirei di bere il moscato per riscaldare la lingua e con il suo aftertaste introdurre il delicato sapore del cioccolato alla rosa. Un abbinamento unico floreale molto aromatico. Questo e' stato il matrimonio molto delicato e sottile  da me preferito.
Pale Rose
- PALE Mandrin Abbiamo entrambi concordato con questo abbinamento perche' enfatizza i sentori di frutta, mandarino, pelle d'arancia..una bella rotondita' e senzasione setoso di pienezza del cioccolato che si scioglie sul vellutato rosso doge.
Pale Mandarin
- Pale edition l'abbinamento piu' facile da capire. Ma come dicono gli inglesi "LESS IS MORE" senza accumulare troppi intrecci a volte troppo complicati da seguire e capire.
CONSIDERAZIONI In linea di massima ho notato  che Doge per la sua complessita' doveva esser abbinato a qualcosa che avvesse un collegamento con il vino. Inoltre visto le durezze, tannini e speziature del moscato di scanzo non ci e' piaciuto l'abbinamento con sale o lime, limone...Non ha funzionato nemmeno con dark cioccolato con concentrazione superiore al 70% cocoa. Molto interessante l'abbinamento con cioccolato al latte e nocciola. 
In conclusione un matrimonio di classe senza nessun compromesso in termine di qualita'
AMELIA & DOGE docg SA DA FARE...a proseguire 

 

FRANCIACORTA DOCG Lombardy North Italy

http://www.franciacorta.net/en/home/

WINE & CHOCOLATE by Sarah Jane Evans - Doge MOSCATO DI SCANZO match with Amadei & Amelia Rope

 BRUGHERATA single estate produce finest handcrafted boutique wines to be sold to private clients and exclusive restaurants. LOOKING FOR AN AGENT DISTRIBUTOR At the moment only few bottles are available in UK for few lucky wine lovers. Pls do not hesitate to contact me.

I'm so proud about it. The Aristocratic, Red passito 2006 DOGE Moscato di Scanzo "La Brugherata" (North Central Italy)

on tasting 25.01.12 at Lady Margaret Hall Oxford

OXFORD WINE CLUB

Wine & Chocolate - a winning combination? Presenter: Sarah Jane Evans MW 

http://www.oxfordwineclub.org.uk/book-tastings-c-21.html?osCsid=jip09ah9vcd1r9rt696ieqk477 


"As a wine writer, Sarah Jane is interested in the similarities between the production of fine chocolate and fine wine, and between the skills needed to appreciate them both. She is particularly interested in the language used to communicate taste, flavour and texture accurately, without being obscure or pretentious."  

http://www.academyofchocolate.org.uk/founders/SarahJane/Evans.html 


Sarah Jane will help us develop skills and vocabulary using samples of fine chocolate from medal winning “bean to bar” producers and with an interesting choice of wines, including some old favourites and new surprises.

THE EVENT HAS BEEN A SUCCESS an incredible complex and innovative matched MOSCATO DI SCANZO DOGE 2006 AND AMELIA ROPE  chocolate sea salt & hazelnut by Sarah Jane Evans Mw

Oxford Wine Club OXFORD WINE CLUB

Wine and Chocolate

 

 

Sarah Jane Evans MW                                                  Wednesday 25th January 2012

 

To taste 10 rare and unusual wines in an evening is a treat. To taste them alongside a selection of 12 of the world’s finest chocolates was a joy. To be tutored in our tasting of both the wine and the chocolate by the ever erudite and charming Sarah Jane Evans approached the sublime.

On this, her third visit to the Club, Sarah Jane – who sadly was struggling with the beginnings of a cold – introduced us to the rituals and techniques of chocolate eating, using a Valrhona Manjari 64% to illustrate her points. ‘First appearance, then nose, then palate.’ Remind you of anything? Yes, there are indeed a lot of commonalities between the approach one should take to chocolate and to wine. (However I have yet to listen to a glass of wine in order to identify the quality of its ‘snap’!) As both a founder of the Academy of Chocolate, and the author of ‘Chocolate Unwrapped’, a guide to tasting and enjoying the world’s finest chocolate, Sarah is a fount of information about the origins of the cacao bean and the various stages of its transformation into chocolate. A process that Sarah Jane described as more complex than winemaking.

In between regaling us with anecdotes about the clonal varieties, conching techniques and the social issues that bedevil many areas of cacao production, Sarah Jane introduced us to the wines in batches of three.

First, a group of three reds:

1.     Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel 2009. To quote the Oak Cliffe Advocate in November 2011 ‘It doesn’t have that cough syrupy sweet fruit that is all the rage. The alcohol isn’t so overwhelming that that you feel it coming out of your nose. What does it have? Enough blueberry fruit to be noticeable, but not so much as to overpower the wine. A beginning and an end, including some very zippy tannins and a little earthiness.’ The wine spends 10 months in American oak and comes in at 14½%. (www.tanners-wines.co.uk)

 2.     Mas Amiel, Maury 2008. From one of the region’s top producers, this wine is made from Grenache Noir and grown in the Roussillon area of France on schist. It is made in a lighter and more modern style with the technique is similar to that of port production, the fermentation being stopped by alcohol. On the nose and palate it had ripe sweet black fruits with some tar. (www.leaandsandeman.co.uk; Genesis wines; www.slurp.co.uk)

3.     Banyuls Grand Cru Camille Descossy 2003. Named after the fauvist painter who worked in nearby Collioure, this wine is produced in a former Dominican priory. Soft and sweet, with distinct dried fruits and spices on the nose and palate, the wine is from the Banyuls Grand Cru appellation, which was created in 1972. The wines are kept for a minimum of 30 months in either oak barrels, or left outside in the sun in glass containers, to maderise. The resulting wine is robust and long. (This particular wine not currently available in UK.)

How then did our chocolates fare?

To taste alongside these wines we experienced:

1.     Esmereldas Milk with Fleur de Sel, 42%, Original Beans. From an organic producer who plants a tree for every bar sold, the chocolate is produced in Switzerland, conched for around 50 hours and is smooth with a hint of salt to ‘cut’ its creaminess. Sarah Jane noted a note of strawberries and cream but I suspect our palates were not yet attuned to the nuances of chocolate tasting.

2.     Lindt Excellence Roasted Dark Almond. As a producer, ‘The best of the High Street’ according to Sarah Jane, A good snap, broad creamy flavours.

3.     Trincheras 70%, Rózsavölgyi Csokoládé (Hungary). Made from Venezuelan beans, the chocolate has a good sheen and the bars are unusually moulded, with a slightly grainy texture and a lingering, complex and almost red wine-like flavour profile.

Of the wines, the Mas Amiel was a hit on our table, with the Esmereldas chocolate my personal favourite – although not necessarily together.

The second group of wines introduced us to:

4.     Hatzidakis Voudomato, Santorini, 2008.  Produced in very small quantities, this sweet red passito wine is made from Voudomato grapes (the name meaning ‘bulls eye’, which the grapes apparently resemble). The vines are ungrafted with the producer – described by Sarah Jane as ‘a hero of Greek wine making’ – laying claim to their being 500 years old. Grown on the volcanic, sandy soil of the island, after harvesting the grapes are laid out to partly dry (raisin) in the sun. They are then slow fermented in stainless steel tanks before the wine is aged for five years in old oak barrels. On the nose it was somewhat reminiscent of cough mixture, but on the palate it developed lingering, unctuous rich ripe cherry liqueur flavours.

5.     DOGE, Moscato di Scanzo, La Brugherata 2006. Currently seeking an importer in the UK, this little known wine was donated to the tasting by the producer, for which a huge thank you! The appellation, which was granted DOC status in 2002, became a DOCG in 2009 and is located between Lake Garda and Milan. It is the smallest DOC area in Italy. Made from the moscato di scanzo grape and grown on limestone soil, this is a different style of passito to Wine 4, more floral and longer aged. On nose and palate it was full of roses, stewed red fruits, almost jammy with hints of cinnamon and pepper. It ideally complemented the chocolate and also provided a good match for the cheeses which were served at the end of the evening. (For more info on availability contact s_cassina@hotmail.com)

 6.     Malamado, Zuccardi, Mendoza 2008. Made by the Zuccardi Family in the Maipu region of Mendoza, Argentina. The estate is considered one of the best run in the region, with a wide range of grapes and wines produced. The first fortified malbec, this wine is aged for two years in oak.  The nose and palate produced ripe figs, raisins and prunes, with a long spicy finish. Interestingly the producer suggests it can be used as a cocktail ingredient! (contact www.alliancewine.co.uk for stockists)   With this group of wines we enjoyed:

4.     Orange Confite 65%, organic, Rococo. One of the first to appreciate the power of good packaging for her chocolates, Chantal Coady has been an innovator on the London chocolate scene since 1983. Creamy, intense chocolate flavour with a hint of orange.

5.     Sea Salt and Hazelnut, Amelia Rope. A bar with the texture on top rather than mixed through. On the palate rich and biscuit like, a real star. A new producer, only established within the last two years and already winnign gold and silver medals for her chocolate.

6.     William Curley Dark Muscovado. A chocolate from the winner of the award for the  UK’s top chocolatier for the past four years. Beautiful to look at, thin dark couverture from Amedei, one of Italy’s best producers, enrobing an intense hit of liquid, unctuous, finger-licking muscovado. Unsurprisingly this chocolate won ‘best chocolate’ in the UK Academy of Chocolate Awards in 2011.

Exhausted, we bravely soldiered on to the next group of wines:

7.     Fontanafredda Barolo Chinato NV. Usually served as a digestif or even an aperitif with soda, this was described by Sarah Jane as a ‘vino di meditazione’ Produced in the Chinato region of the Barolo appellation in Piedmonte, from the nebbiolo grape.  After a room temperature fermentation and the introduction of a bittering agent – primarily cinchona bark, the principal ingredient in quinine - the wine is matured in small barrels for up to 12 months. It was famed for its medicinal uses in the 19th century. On the nose, a resin-like aroma reminiscent of freshly chopped pine logs with notes of cinnamon, cardamom and orange peel. (Contact www.entoria.co.uk for stockists)

 8.     Noval 10 year old Tawny. Now owned by the insurers Axa, who invest in top wineries for the long term, this wine is produced from the typical blend of Port grapes. Complex on both the nose and palate. On the nose, walnuts and hazelnuts. On the palate, some vibrant young fruits followed by a lingering peppery finish, with the characteristic dried fruit flavours developing throughout (good independents; Ocado)

 9.     Noval Black, Douro. A relatively recent addition to the Noval portfolio, the Black, this is designed to be an approachable, ready-to-drink style for people who do not want to wait for Vintage Port or LBV.. Aged for two years before bottling. Awarded 90 Parker points – but do we care! This port was a real revelation, with rich deep dark chocolate and raspberry on the nose and palate. (Short pause while I rush out and buy a bottle!) (Waitrose, Oxford Wine Co., Tanners…)

 With our blood sugar reaching dangerous levels and only one friendly GP face in the audience to resuscitate us should be collapse with a collective ‘hyper’, we reached out for the next three chocolates:

7.     Crushed Diamonds, 55%, Chocolate with mild and cacao nibs. From producers Chocolate and Love, founded by a ‘reformed chartered surveyor’ and a lawyer and with one of the best tag lines on their website I have found – ‘Chocolate is nature’s way of making up for Mondays’! Made from ethically sourced organic chocolate. Nibs are an increasingly fashionable ingredient and the bar had an interesting texture. Nutty on the finish.

 8.     Maya Gold 55%, Green & Blacks, Fairtrade, Organic. Green & Blacks were the first fair trade producer in the UK, now ultimately owned by Kraft. Kraft has however increased the distribution of G&B products. This chocolate was one that divided the rooms. A rather granular texture, some spicy orange citrus notes on the palate. Seen by some as the ideal companion for the Barolo Chinato.

 9.     William Curley Raspberry Ganache. Another chocolate from the top banana of the UK chocolate world. Made with fresh raspberry paste, which is topped with fresh ganache and thinly coated with a top quality couverture. A perfect match with the Noval Black in my view.

Finally,

Wine 10, Nocturne Sec NV, Tattinger. 30% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier and 40% Chardonnay. Pale yellow, fine persistent mousse, On the nose subtle and with some stone fruits notes. On the palate, soft with pleasing fruit flavours. Long and with a sweet aftertaste, perhaps due to the 20g/l dosage (good independents, John Lewis online, Harrods, Fortnums).

Chocolate 10, Cardamom White, 30%, Rococo. Made with cocoa butter, the bar melts quickly in the hand (and of course cocoa butter is widely used in the making of hand cream!). A slight citrusy tang from the cardamom, but long and somewhat cloying on the palate. Perhaps not an ideal match with the Nocturne. Would a sweeter wine have balanced the flavours better? Sadly there were none left in my glasses to experiment with.

And to close the evening, ‘just one last mouthful’ - Milk chocolate with pale lime and sea salt, from Amelia Rope.Made from Ecuadorian chocolate imported in buttons, this is new to Amelia’s range. The hint of lime intensifies the sea salt flavour. Perhaps a chocolate margherita would be my closest descriptor!

A unique experience, without any doubt. We at the OWC yet again are in Sarah Jane’s debt for introducing us to so many different wines and a stunning range of chocolates.

HRE 27.1.12 source http://www.oxfordwineclub.org.uk/2012-wine-chocolate-c-24_60_61.html

 LAY MARGARET HALL Oxford

THE RESTAURANT SHOW  October 2011 LONDON

 http://www.therestaurantshow.co.uk

MOSCATO DI SCANZO  2006 and AMADEI CIOCCOLATO the perfect match!!!! It was a big succes at the Restaurant show masterclass by Sara Jayne Staynes & Sarah jane Evans Mw ( in the picture with TIM ATIKIN MW he added later on after tasting it  "Your wine is good..."

SARAH JANE EVANS Hello Simon, thanks so much for the tasting samples, the bottle, and for the photos on facebook.

I’m sorry that I was so last minute – I should have thought about doing this matching long before.  However it was great fun, a really good match wasn’t it? 

Best wishes 

Sarah Jane Evans MW

Chocolate Unwrapped: Taste and Enjoy the World’s Finest Chocolate

Pavilion Book