Cesari Amarone wine paired with chocolate

In 2016, we received a 750ml bottle of Cesari Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2012. Late in 2016 we participated in a chocolate tasting and tour. This was the perfect time to open the bottle of Amarone and match it with the unique chocolates crafted in Portland, Oregon.

Close to Thanksgving, we visited a unique chocolate shop, Ranger Chocolate Company, in the middle of downtown Portland. A few days earlier our family in Oregon suggested that we might like to sign up for a tour at this one-of-a-kind chocolate and coffee shop where we were able to carry in a bottle of wine. With a group of about ten family members, we arrived at  the coffee and chocolate shop with a  bottle of Cesari Amarone that was paired with the chocolates.

The Cesari Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2012 is a special wine from Northern Italy. The wine was a translucent dark ruby color. It was very fruity with notes of cherry.  This Amarone was medium-bodied with medium tannins. The wine was crisp with a fruity finish. The wine was 14.5% alcohol. Suggested food pairings include red meat and game.

The Cesari  Amarone della Valpolicella was produced with Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grape varieties. To craft this wine, the grapes are  dried on racks until the middle of January. Eventually the wines are aged in barriques and large oak barrels.

Ranger chocolate crafted in Portland, Oregon

At the end of our insightful chocolate tour, the Amarone wine was paired with five different bites of handcrafted chocolates, each with a different percentage of cacao. We discovered that the first chocolate bite had cherry notes reminiscent of the Amarone wine. Everyone participating in the wine and chocolate tasting enjoyed different tastes one had as a result of the chocolate and wine.

About the Cesari Winery

Gerardo Cesari established the winery in 1936. It was his son, Franco Cesari, who established worldwide distribution. Currently, Cesari has 100 hectares in the Valpolicella and Lugana regions.

Cheers!
Kathy