Perfect Pairings: Michele Chiarlo, Barbera d'Asti, 2007, Piedmont, Italy, 2437554

Vegetarian Chili with Chocolate

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch dice, or one 16-ounce can whole tomatoes, drained and chopped
2 15-ounce cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 15-ounce cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
5 cups vegetable broth
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate

1. In a stockpot, over medium heat, cook the oil, garlic, onion, and green pepper until slightly softened, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.

2. Add the tomatoes, chickpeas, kidney beans, vegetable broth, cumin, and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat.

3. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

4. Before serving, stir in the chocolate until melted.







					Vegetarian Chili with Chocolate 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch dice 2 tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch dice, or one 16-ounce can whole tomatoes, drained and chopped 2 15-ounce cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed 2 15-ounce cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed 5 cups vegetable broth 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate 1. In a stockpot, over medium heat, cook the oil, garlic, onion, and green pepper until slightly softened, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. 2. Add the tomatoes, chickpeas, kidney beans, vegetable broth, cumin, and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. 3. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. 4. Before serving, stir in the chocolate until melted.



	Michele Chiarlo • Barbera d'Asti • 2007 • Piedmont, Italy • 2437554 Grape: Barbera appearance - bright, clear color : deep purple aroma - moderate flavors (smell + taste) sweetness - dry acidity - defined oak - burnt wood fruit - blackberries • sour cherries earth - licorice body - medium tannins - soft alcohol - 13.5% serving notes - decant and allow to breathe for one hour before serving.				• For a while there Barbera was one of the most maligned grapes in Italy. It was often pushed aside to make room for the more lucrative Nebbiolo grape of Barolo and Barbaresco fame. Thanks to Italian winemaker extraordinaire, Angelo Gaja, Barbera's reputation as well as its quality has been resurrected. He began giving the vines the care that they deserved, and treated the wine to oak barrel aging. It responded beautifully. The taste of a Barbera wine is lively and vibrantly acidic. It is the epitome of a food friendly wine.