Vino cotto, also known as cooked wine, is a traditional Italian sweet wine that has been produced for centuries. It is mainly found in the Campania region of Italy, particularly in the towns and communes of Avellino, Benevento, and Salerno. This region is known for its rich agricultural heritage and is home to many vineyards and wineries.
Vino cotto is made by slowly cooking grape must, which is the juice extracted from freshly harvested grapes, until it reduces and thickens into a syrup-like consistency. The cooking process caramelizes the sugars in the grape must, resulting in a sweet and flavorful wine. The specific grape varieties used can vary, but some common ones include Aglianico, Piedirosso, and Fiano.
One popular recipe that uses vino cotto is the “Torta Caprese,” a traditional chocolate and almond cake from the island of Capri. This cake is made with ground almonds, dark chocolate, sugar, butter, and eggs, and vino cotto is added to enhance the flavor and moistness of the cake. Another recipe is the “Pesche al Vino Cotto,” which is a dessert made with poached peaches in vino cotto syrup, served with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Vino cotto has been recognized as a traditional agricultural product (PAT) by the Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food, and Forestry Policies. This recognition ensures that the production of vino cotto follows specific specifications and traditional methods, preserving its authenticity and cultural heritage.
Sources:
1. “Vino Cotto: The Sweet Wine of Campania” – Italia Sweet Italia (italiasweetitalia.com)
2. “Vino Cotto” – Italian Food Excellence (italianfoodexcellence.com)