Chinato

Pio Cesare Barolo Chinato 750ml

Experience the unique Pio Cesare Barolo Chinato, a distinctive Italian aromatized wine celebrated for its intricate blend of aromatic herbs, spices, and quinine. This enchanting drink captures the essence of Barolo wine, enhancing it with complex flavors that are hard to resist. Crafted from Barolo wine and infused with a medley of botanicals, it offers a unique tasting experience that has earned exceptional critical acclaim with dual 94-point scores. Ideal after a meal as a digestif, Pio Cesare Barolo Chinato is designed to tantalize your taste buds and stimulate your senses, making every sip memorable.

Outstanding Critical Acclaim - 94 Points

Jeb Dunnuck - 94 Points
"A rich but transparent amber, the NV Barolo Chinato reveals notes of blood orange, baking spice, mocha, and rosemary, followed by a medium to full-bodied red with sweetness and delicate, attractive bitterness in its hints of tea leaf and orange peel. Lifted and not heavy, it would be perfect paired with chocolate."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 94 Points
"The Pio Cesare NV Barolo Chinato pours from the bottle with a dark amber color with shiny chestnut highlights. This fortified digestif shows amazing purity and intensity, with aromas that you can list and identify clearly one by one. There is balsam and medicinal herb with minty cough syrupy, cola and candied orange peel. With time, you might also sense some Moroccan spice or toasted Spanish cedarwood. The alcohol content is registered at 16% although it surely feels much higher. Balanced sweetness wraps smoothly over the palate. I'm never quite sure how to assign a drinking window to Barolo Chinato, and it is ostensibly built to last forever."

Pio Cesare Heritage

Pio Cesare is one of Piedmont's most prestigious wine producers, with a history dating back to 1881. For over 140 years, the Pio Cesare family has been crafting exceptional wines in the heart of Barolo country. Their Barolo Chinato represents a traditional Piedmontese specialty that showcases their commitment to quality and tradition.

What is Barolo Chinato?

Barolo Chinato is a distinctive Italian aromatized wine, a traditional Piedmontese specialty created by infusing Barolo wine with a blend of aromatic herbs, spices, and quinine (china bark). This fortified digestif combines the noble character of Barolo with complex botanical flavors, creating a unique tasting experience. The result is a rich, herbal profile that makes it perfect for sipping as a digestif or using in sophisticated cocktails.

Amazing Purity & Intensity

As Wine Advocate notes, this fortified digestif shows "amazing purity and intensity, with aromas that you can list and identify clearly one by one." The clarity and precision of the botanical infusion demonstrates Pio Cesare's mastery of this traditional specialty.

Tasting Profile

Appearance: Rich but transparent amber. Dark amber color with shiny chestnut highlights
Aroma: Notes of blood orange, baking spice, mocha, and rosemary. Balsam and medicinal herb with minty cough syrupy character, cola and candied orange peel. Moroccan spice and toasted Spanish cedarwood. Hints of spices and herbs
Palate: Medium to full-bodied with sweetness and delicate, attractive bitterness. Hints of tea leaf and orange peel. Balanced sweetness wraps smoothly over the palate. Multifaceted, combining herbal, floral, and fruity notes. Layers of cherry, caramel, and floral essences. Smooth texture with vibrant flavors
Finish: Lifted and not heavy. Harmonious balance with lingering botanical complexity

16% Alcohol - Fortified Character

The alcohol content is registered at 16%, giving this aromatized wine a fortified character that enhances its complexity and longevity. As Wine Advocate notes, "it surely feels much higher," testament to the intensity and richness of the flavors.

Built to Last Forever

Wine Advocate observes: "I'm never quite sure how to assign a drinking window to Barolo Chinato, and it is ostensibly built to last forever." This exceptional longevity makes Pio Cesare Barolo Chinato a worthy addition to any collection, with the ability to age gracefully for years.

Perfect Pairing with Chocolate

As Jeb Dunnuck notes, this Barolo Chinato "would be perfect paired with chocolate." The combination of sweetness, bitterness, and complex botanicals creates an ideal match for chocolate desserts, making it an exceptional choice for after-dinner indulgence.

Versatile Serving Options

Enjoying Pio Cesare Barolo Chinato is quite versatile:

• Neat: Sip it at room temperature to appreciate full complexity
• On the rocks: Serve over ice for a refreshing digestif
• In cocktails: Mix into sophisticated cocktails for unique twist
• Negroni-style drinks: Try it as part of a Negroni variation
• With orange: Serve with a slice of orange to enhance citrus notes

Exceptional Food Pairing Suggestions

Its unique taste pairs wonderfully with:

• Chocolate desserts and dark chocolate
• Desserts and sweet treats
• Cheese platters and aged cheeses
• After-dinner service
• Biscotti and Italian cookies
• Nuts and dried fruits

Traditional Piedmontese Digestif

Barolo Chinato is a traditional Piedmontese specialty, historically enjoyed as a digestif after meals. The combination of Barolo wine, botanicals, and quinine creates a drink that aids digestion while providing a sophisticated conclusion to dining experiences.

Botanical Complexity

Crafted from Barolo wine and infused with a medley of botanicals and quinine, the flavor profile is multifaceted. The intricate blend of aromatic herbs and spices creates layers of complexity that reveal themselves with each sip, making it a delight for the palate.

Perfect for Any Occasion

Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or simply winding down after a long day, Pio Cesare Barolo Chinato promises to enhance any moment with its rich flavor and aromatic complexity. Its sophisticated character makes it ideal for entertaining or personal enjoyment.

Sophisticated Cocktail Ingredient

This makes it not only an excellent digestif but also a sophisticated cocktail ingredient that can elevate your beverage game. The unique taste and complex botanical profile add depth and character to creative cocktail creations.

Sensory Experience

The intriguing aroma carries hints of spices and herbs, enhancing the sensory experience. Every sip is designed to tantalize your taste buds and stimulate your senses, creating a memorable drinking experience that showcases the artistry of traditional Piedmontese winemaking.

Winemaker Description

Intense ruby red. The nose displays typical freshness of Vajra Barolo, with a weave of roses and ripe cherries, fresh mountain herbs and orange zest. In the mouth, bitter sweet and persistent flavors. Beautiful as a digestive or paired with dark chocolate. 18% alcohol.

Memo Summary Notes

The G.D. Vajra Barolo Chinato is a sophisticated, fortified "digestif" from Piedmont, Italy. Unlike standard Barolo, this is an aromatized wine (similar to a premium vermouth) made by infusing Barolo DOCG wine with a secret blend of nearly 30 herbs, roots, and spices.

Expert Reviews

Dillon Mafit writes:  The chinato tasted like the nectar of the gods, like the most perfectly ripe apricot drizzled in honey, dropped into a glass of 1967 Château Rieussec Sauterne, and dosed with some sort of bitter aphrodisiac.  - thrillist.com

In Mauro Vergano's words (courtesy of LDM website): "I must say that producing a Chinato from Moscato wine was my first big challenge. First produced in 2003, it was the first product of its kind present on the market. The wine I use is a Moscato d’Asti with a higher alcohol content (more than 10%) compared to the ones that are commonly available. As is well-known, the Moscato I use comes from the prestigious winery of Vittorio Bera & Figli. I have to admit that when I was first looking for a Moscato for the first attempts I used wine from various producers, then I was lucky enough to meet Gianluigi Bera and his Moscato and I haven’t left them since. His Moscato’s fragrance and its full-bodiedness meld perfectly with the aromatic extract composed of citrus zest, cinnamon and vanilla. These fresh and sweet aromas are balanced by the bitter flavour of the China (Calisaya and Succirubra) which give it a persistent taste that is absolutely unique. A brief description of the production cycle which all the products share: The first step is the preparation of the extract or “concia”. This is done by leaving a mixture of chopped herbs and spices in alcohol for about 20/30 days. Then the extract is filtered and left to age for a few months. The second step is the actual preparation of the product. To make the product I mix the extract, sugar and alcohol. The last step is clarification followed by filtering which produces a clear product with long-term stability."