In Praise of Sagrantino

Sagrantino grapes just ready to be picked

The best kept wine secret of Italy is, without any doubt, Sagrantino di Montefalco. This wine is made of 100% Sagrantino grape from the hills and valleys around the tiny village of Montefalco, in southern Umbria. What makes this Italian native grape so special is that people simply forgot about it for many, many decades. In fact, the Sagrantino grape' history is well documented since medieval times. This allowed a group of passionate, small local wine makers to search for abandoned and overgrown vineyards, in search of the perfect Sagrantino. Seeds were collected, new vineyards were planted so today we can drink this precious wine again. Still today, there are only 30 Sagrantino producers.

Sagrantino di Montefalco is in the same league as Brunello di Montalcino or Barolo, with a similar price tag but with even more character. Sagrantino has a very, very strong personality, is extremely aromatic, very tannic, spicy, with a definite taste of wild berries and, yes, chocolate. The notes of chocolate and spices come from ageing for at least 12 months in old oak barrels (according to Italian law). Of course, none of those 'barriques' that the French like so much.

If you want full alcohol content (14,5%) get a 2003 vintage bottle (remember how hot the summer of 2003 was?). Otherwise, we are usually around 13.5%, with vintage 2004 gaining popularity. Have Sagrantino with strong cheese and black olives, not necessarily with a full meal. I always offer Sagrantino di Montefalco during our wine tasting evenings, part of our 5 Day Italian cooking holiday programme. It's great to share such a special and different wine with my clients (and watch their reaction to it!)

Sagrantino di Montefalco is awarded DOCG ('Di Origine Controllata e Garantita', 'Of protected and Guaranteed Origin') denomination from the European Union, a seal of absolute quality. It exist in a sweet, dessert version called 'Sagrantino Passito', delicious and very, very expensive.

Chef Guido and Sally
Founders of Convivio Rome Italian Cooking Holidays, Virtual  and In- person Italian Cooking Classes and Guido’s Cook Club Monthly Membership, Winery Tours and Olive Tours

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Crostata al cioccolato e arancio - Chocolate and orange tart

Chocolate, orange, summer time and socialising all mixed together! 

Summer time is almost here in Italy and a time for socialising. Italian social life is often 'last minute and spontaneous' and this is part of the culture and lifestyle that we (Sally and I) really enjoy. 

My friends know I have a passion for cooking, and I am often asked: "Can you bring dessert, Guido?" 

I recently celebrated a friend's birthday and we all brought something to eat for dinner.  I was asked to bring dessert, so I put together a very simple but delicious chocolate tart, made of orange flavoured short crust filled with chocolate ganache, which is dark chocolate melted in cream. I've used classic ganache proportions, which produce a brilliant, soft but firm, almost spreadable layer of delicious chocolate. I actually made two identical tarts by doubling the ingredients: they were both finished in no time!

I wanted to share this popular recipe for my Crostata al Cioccolato e Arancia, with you!

Crostata di Cioccolato e Arancio - Chocolate and Orange Tart
Ingredients: For the pastry: 150g of butter, 300g of flour, 150g of sugar, 3 egg yolks, orange zest, salt. For the filling: 200g of dark chocolate, 150g of fresh cream.


Method: For the short pastry, mix flour with softened butter, add sugar, 3 egg yolks, orange zest,  and a pinch of salt. Make the dough in to a ball, wrap it in film and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Roll the pastry and line a cake tin with it. Prepare the ganache sauce by melting chocolate and cream. Pour the ganache sauce in the tart. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 170 C (no need to 'blind bake'). Decorate with orange zest in the middle.

Chef Guido and Sally
Founders of Convivio Rome Italian Cooking Holidays, Virtual  and In- person Italian Cooking Classes and Guido’s Cook Club Monthly Membership

Convivio Rome Italian Cooking Holidays

One Day Italian Cooking Classes

Half Day Rome Olive Tours

Half Day Rome Winery and Wine Tasting Tours

Virtual Italian Cooking Parties

Online Cooking Classes with Chef Guido

Corporate Virtual Cooking Events

Guido's Cook Club Monthly Membership

Online Video Italian Cooking Package