Wine Homework: Adesso and Chestnuts

ADESSO ~ Cagnina


This is a wine that's easy to fall in love with "Adesso" (which means "now" in Italian).
Area of Production: Rimini, Italy ~ Located on the east coast of Italy
Grape Variety: 100% Refosco

This is a pleasantly sweet wine that is great with dessert or on its own. Last week when I visited with the Italian wineries I met a local winemaker from Rimini and he explained how to drink the Cagnina. He was so excited to share this with me because he has never met anyone in the US that knew the wine. He explained that the proper way to enjoy the Cagnina is accompanied with a chestnut. Split the chestnut in the center leaving a small opening meaning do not break them completely in half. On a hot skillet, roast the chestnut (shell still intact) until its hot in the middle. Once hot, split the nut wide open and scoop out the meat and eat. While you have the roasted chestnut in your mouth pour a small portion of the wine in your mouth at the same time. It’s a dessert for the locals of Rimini and is enjoyed by all including the young. Ah, to be Italian!