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Alba Rosa – Cocchi Americano Rosa and Grapefruit Juice
Rosa Dawn – an aperitivo in rose colored glasses
When I first wrote about Cocchi Americano Rosa in March of this year, I heard from some readers who simply could not find it. Dear Readers, this spicy, fresh little sister of Cocchi’s stalwart Cocchi Americano is available now.
This vino aromatizzato (aromatized wine) is made from red varietals from Piemonte, a region in northern Italy. Vini aromatizzati (plural) have been with us for millennia and are made by infusing wine with spices, herbs and roots. Vermouth is perhaps the best known among this class of wine. China (cinchona bark or quinine) with its beloved bitter bite is often used in vini aromatizzati, and is the final note in this wine. Read the remainder of this entry »
The Backsplash – Cocchi Americano Rosa and Solerno Cocktail
The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind.
– Humphrey Bogart
– Humphrey Bogart
Nowhere is Bogie’s sentiment more apt than when used to describe the vicissitudes of a home remodel. Selecting a backsplash for my kitchen has sent me into a tizzy. A tizzy, in case you are not familiar with the term, is Bart’s chosen descriptor for that peculiar state of mind that overcomes me when I am overwhelmed, angry or quite undone. It is not a compliment.
Help however, is not far behind, and it comes in the form of a cocktail, the Backsplash. This one is a combination of Cocchi Americano Rosa, the newest vino aromatizzato (aromatized wine) from The House of Cocchi and Solerno, a liqueur made of Sicilian oranges and lemons. The citrus in both liquors marry beautifully and the kiss of bitter in the Americano Rosa lends a most adult finish. Read the remainder of this entry »
Cocchi Americano Rosa
One of my favorite Italian aperitif wines is back, and this time she’s in red. Meet Cocchi Americano Rosa.
You might remember my earlier post on the classic Cocchi Americano Bianco, an aperitif wine made from Moscato d’Asti. Over its more than one hundred year history The House of Cocchi has occasionally produced variations on that classic theme. Cocchi Americano Rosa, made of naturally aromatic red varietals from Piemonte is their newest.
There aren’t many bottles here in the U.S. right now, but that will soon change as it becomes available on the world market – a launch Cocchi has planned for June of this year. Good thing too, because that means Cocchi Rosa will arrive in time for summer. Its notes of white roses, cherries and summer berries are masterfully blended with citrus, herbs, fruit and spices. Make no mistake though, this is no “girlie drink.” The luxurious mouthfeel, earthy vegetal notes of gentian and cinchona complement the fruit, floral and spice notes. A distinct peppery warmth of pink grapefruit lends a complexity that will keep you sipping and sipping.
If you are curious about “bitters,” but find that even Aperol is too much for you, try this. The bitter element while present, leans toward the subtle, just enough to balance the sweetness and fruit of the wine.
Cocchi recommends serving this over ice with soda and a lemon wheel or mixed with Prosecco to start. From there I suggest you experiment with other aperitivi such Aperol and Campari or spirits such as vodka, gin, grappa, Acqua di cedro, or my favorite, Solerno, a Sicilian blood orange and lemon liquor. No doubt about it, this will be the go to drink in our home in the warm summer months to come. In case you were wondering about that garnet color you see, it is 100% natural. Read the remainder of this entry »