Dario Cecchini Profumo del Chianti

Profumo del Chianti by Dario Cecchini

The herbal salt Il Profumo del Chianti: The spice of Chianti Classico

Dario Cecchini, owner of the Antica Macelleria Cecchini in Panzano in Chianti, is a very poetic person in addition to his work as a butcher, his passion as a showman and his work as a food visionary. Not only can he recite countless verses by the poet and philosopher Dante Alighieri by heart. What's more, he also tends to give his products very poetic names: Like his herbal salt, for example... It has the wonderfully melodic name Il Profumo del Chianti. Dario himself says that this salt is "l'essenza della Toscana" - the essence of Tuscany. To put it bluntly, it is a salt that is flavored with sun-dried Tuscan herbs. However, if you taste a pinch, you get the feeling that the forests and meadows of Tuscany are melting in your mouth. By the way: Dario serves the salt mixed with olive oil as a dip for raw vegetables, the "Pinzimonio". Simply delicious! Of course, Dario salt is also ideal for seasoning meat and other (Tuscan) dishes. Il Profumo del Chianti is available in jars of 50, 220, 250 and 370 grams. A must in every well-stocked kitchen!

Always worth a visit - the Antica Macelleria Cecchini in Panzano in Chianti!

If you approach the Antica Macelleria Cecchini in Via XX Luglio number 11 from the piazza in Panzano, on some days you can hear the bass of AC/DC's "Highway to Hell" booming through the tranquil alleyway. If you take a look inside the shop, you will see a sight that you would not necessarily associate with a butcher's shop in the traditional sense. Lots of people are standing in the sales room, swaying to the rhythm of the music, a glass of red wine in one hand, a piece of fennel salami or a slice of Pane Toscano spread with Burro del Chianti in the other. And behind the meat counter, Dario Cecchini, the owner of the Antica Macelleria, cheers on his guests. When the music suddenly switches to classical, it can happen that Dario belts out an aria in a duet with Luciano - Pavarotti, of course. Time and again, guests are picked up by Macelleria staff and disappear through doors: they are among the lucky ones who have reserved a table with Dario. Because the macelleria - the butcher's shop - also has a cucina, or kitchen, as Dario modestly calls it. And the dishes that are conjured up in this cucina will make the hearts of meat lovers beat faster: Sushi del Chianti and Tonno del Chianti - made according to ancient, traditional recipes - Bistecca alla Fiorentina in three variations, the Dario Docs - burgers without bread with delicious side dishes - and a range of meat dishes under the name Solociccia. You can also order a so-called Accoglienza, which is basically a rich potpourri of the products that Dario sells in the macelleria. And with the exception of the Dario Doc: you pay a fixed price, then it's "eat as much as you can" and wine, schnapps and coffee are included. If you want, you can also bring your own wine and enjoy it with your meal - at no extra charge. So if you're in Panzano in Chianti, be sure to stop by Dario's. But please don't forget to book!

In Italy, in the region Tuscany, in the region Chianti Classico, in Panzano in Chianti