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W I N E R Y & V I N E Y A R D S
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The Ultimate in Chocolate and Wine Pairing



David Hunt,
Winemaker


Katrina Markoff,
Chocolatier

From the FBWorld Panel of Food&Beverage International

Great reds made by intuitive wine maker David Hunt of Hunt Cellars are finding their way to the public through their tasting room located in Paso Robles, California. Looking for the ultimate chocolate pairing experience for these complex reds, we landed ourselves in the kitchen of Chicago chocolatier Katrina Markoff, who creates an intense culinary experience with chocolate that would compare to the artistry of a wine maker. Her infusions of rare spices and flowers combined with premium chocolate give Vosges Haut-Chocolat the edge we were looking for when it came to creating the ultimate pairing with these exceptional red wines.

We offer you now the ultimate in chocolate and wine pairing. Our favorite reds with our favorite chocolate.


FEATURED WINES PAIRED WITH VOSGES HAUT-CHOCOLAT

Hunt Cellars 2006 Syrah Rosé "Afternoon Delight" / Paso Robles
The bold ruby hue of this wine is quite striking in a glass. Swirl and take in the dazzling, springtime nose of cherry, cranberry, strawberry, and a lovely touch of rose petal. A bright, crisp wine, with a refreshing acidity on the palate, the red berry notes return alongside sweet hints of toffee and apple. Grab a bottle and enjoy it on a lazy Sunday with a Naga truffle from Vosges chocolate, a delicate balance of sweet Indian curry, coconut and velvety milk chocolate.
Score: 90

Naga
Truffle

Hunt Cellars 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon "Cab 9"
/ Paso Robles

Opening with a lovely California nose of violets and lavender mingling with highlights of spice, when sipped slowly, the wine unfurls rich fruit layers of currants, cherry, and blackberry. Deeper notes of chocolate and truffles give the wine a very nice depth. Full-bodied and warm on the palate, the finish is soft and lingering. Savor a single bite of a rich, dark creamy chocolate Vosges Budapest truffle laced with sweet Hungarian paprika made from the mild capsicum pepper for the ultimate wine and chocolate sensation.
Score: 94

Budapest Truffle

Hunt Cellars 2003 "Rhapsody in Red" Reserve
Red Wine / Paso Robles

An exquisite deep purple in color, this is a rich, lush red blend. Allowed to open in a glass, intoxicating aromas of chocolate, caramel, vanilla, and cherry overtake the senses. A sip brings forth layers of flavor with dark chocolate, currants, vanilla, and coffee mingled with notes of ripe red fruit. The tannins are elegant and the finish excellent. A very nice wine. Do as we did and pair it with Vosges Chocolate's Oaxaca bar made with dark Tanzanian chocolate, organic pumpkin seeds, the sweet guajillo chili pepper and rounded out nicely with a fresh, creamy ganache laced with licorice and spice. It is a wonderful combination.
Score: 93

Oaxaca
Bar

 

About Hunt Cellars
Within the 550 acre estate of the Hunt Cellars Vineyard and Winery, there are four terroirs with varying elevations containing soil composites that mirror the great wine regions of the world. This is the home of Hunt Cellars, and more notably, David Hunt, wine maker and owner. Located in Creston on Highway 41, great reds made by an intuitive wine maker are finding their way to the public through their tasting room, and really, the story is as fine as the wine they produce.

click on image for caption and to enlarge.

David lost his sight in 1989, but not before he and his wife went on an exhaustive search to find just the right property to build his winery. He searched the entire west coast before he settled on this parcel in Paso Robles, and also not before he laid eyes on the white, chalky rock that would be part of the soil that would produce his wines. From then on, the beauty of the property resided in his memory. His memory was not only in his mind, it developed new life in his palate, which remembered every vintage of wine he ever tasted.

This has aided him tremendously in his wine making, as each vintage brings with it its own distinct fingerprint of life. His exceptional full bodied, complex and fruit forward reds bear the proof of this tale, but the wine is just part of the Hunt Cellars experience. A background as a musician, David's love of his music manifests itself in the naming of each bottle of wine. Maestro, Serenade, Cab-Ovation are just a few of the music inspired names the wines have received. Wine maker dinners are also infused with a piano recital by David, bringing a unique experience no other winery can boast of.



TASTING ROOM
2875 Oakdale Road
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 237-1600
www.huntcellars.com



About Vosges Haut-Chocolat
Katrina Markoff utilizes the original methods of French confectionery artistry which she learned during her training at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Having graduated with the Grand Diplùme from Le Cordon Bleu and having worked extensively in France, Spain, Italy, Southeast Asia and Australia her collections of haut-chocolats have great, worldly inspirations. Inspired by her global apprenticeships, Vosges truffles have exotic influences of an "East meets West" theme.

An Indiana native with Macedonian roots, Markoff has that rare combination of artist and entrepreneur who's able to take unlikely ingredients and turn them into gold. Owner and creative force behind Vosges Haut-Chocolat, is a 1995 graduate of Vanderbilt University with degrees in Psychology and Chemistry. Three days following graduation Markoff left to pursue her dream of culinary arts in Paris. She studied for one year at Le Cordon Bleu and graduated with Le Grand Diplome in Cuisine and Pastry as well as degrees in Basic and Advanced Oenology.

From Paris, Markoff embarked on an 8 month tour around the world studying food. She worked from place to place, studying the indigenous cuisines of France, Spain, Italy, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, China, Australia and Hawaii.
She apprenticed at restaurants including the Hotel Crillon in Paris, France, El Bulli in Rosas, Spain, as well as Arzak, and Martin Berasategui both located in San Sebastian, Spain. She graduated from The Thai Cooking School at the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, and Chiva Som School in Hua Hin, Thailand. During her travels through Asia she was inspired by the local spice and food markets.

Based on these international experiences, she developed the concept of 'exotic truffles.' Fusing a gamut of indigenous spices, flowers, roots, herbs and liqueurs with premium chocolate, she created a unique tasting experience with each truffle. Beckoning consumers to step into the now, she crafted her culinary experience to embrace each sense of smell, taste, hear, touch and sight with every bite.


Vosges Haut-Chocolat
2211 N. Eiston Avenue - Suite 203
Chicago, IL. 60614
(773) 388-5560 / (888) 301-YUMM (9866)
www.vosgeschocolate.com


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