It may seem easy, but it really isn’t. Organizing a contest dedicated to artisan Easter colombe requires a considerable amount of effort. An effort that—between phone calls, logistics, and the organization of the tasting session—kept Maurizio Valeriani and Daniele Moroni of Vinodabere.it quite busy, the true architects of this initiative. Even more so when you are operating in an “orange zone”, a restriction that makes organizing any in-person event even more complicated.
Around seventy colombe arrived. From all over Italy and from some very renowned pastry shops. On the table there is a real triumph of colombe, now all carefully “disguised,” portioned, and labeled with anonymous codes, since the tasting will be conducted blind.
Seventy colombe for twelve participants. In practical terms that means 70 plates, 714 slices, and a spectacular abundance of almonds, glazes, and sweet temptations that would make Willy Wonka envious.
The range is extraordinary: from classic versions to those with olives, from fillings with prickly pear to others flavored with rose, bergamot, and just about anything else one can imagine.
…Oh my God, do we really have to taste them all?
Fortunately, the location comes to our rescue. We are at Garden Gianicolo, a hidden terrace nestled against the walls of the Janiculum Hill. On a beautiful sunny day it offers us a view of Rome so stunning that it makes the entire morning even more enjoyable.
Of course, perhaps a gelato or granita tasting might have been easier to handle, but it takes only the first bite to change your mind. We begin with the classic colombe, then move on to the creative versions.
Chocolate appears in abundance, but there are also some decidedly original fillings, ranging from one stuffed with “yellow peaches, strawberries, wild strawberries and custard scented with orange blossom” to others featuring “chocolate and Nero di Troia wine,” “Aglianico and sour cherries,” or even “Celline olives and white chocolate.”
Colombe that may not seem exactly inexpensive, but with every bite you understand more clearly why they cost what they do. A demanding event, but a beautiful one. Luckily Easter only comes once a year. Without a doubt, the chart of our glycemic spike would rival the best trading days on Wall Street… but that’s fine—the diet starts tomorrow 🙂
In the meantime, if you are not yet on a diet, let yourself be tempted by the rankings on vinodabere.it, with the lists for Classic, Creative, and Rome & Lazio colombe.
