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Wine Roads and the Chocolate
Valley of Italy: By Tricia H. Conover |
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It has long been realized that red wine brings to our bodies a group of organic chemicals that can serve as clot-inhibiting, bad cholesterol reducing, antioxidants. Recently, chocolates also have been shown to have health-inducing and psychoactive properties. The Aztecs were the first to use a hot, steamy chocolate drink from the seeds of the cacao tree, speciestheobroma cacao,“food of the gods,” for its restorative properties. The consumption of chocolate triggers the release of endorphins, which contributes to that inner glow induced in susceptible chocoholics, according to the Directory of Chocolatiers. Chocolates have organic compounds of anandamide and theobromine which cause relaxation and happiness. Artisanal chocolate-making abounds in an area off the A-11 between Pisa and Prato, including Montopoli, Monsummano Terme and Agliana. A high-quality artisanal production of chocolate has developed in this area near the vineyards. Some of the internationally renowned chocolate masters are: Federico Salza of Pisa, Simone de Castro of Montopoli (Pisa), Andrea Slitti of Monsummano Terme (Pistoia), Corsini of Pistoia, Alessio and Cecilia Tessieri, and the pioneer of chocolate in Tuscany, Roberto Catinari. These masters, and many of the towns in which they are headquartered, are promoting the idea of the “Chocolate Valley”, just as Chianti vintners promote their area. A chocolate bar made 40 miles west of Florence has been selected the best chocolate in the world by the Committee of Experts of the London Academy of Chocolate three years in a row. In this “Chocolate Valley” Amedei brand chocolates, established in 1990, is found. It is the joint project of a 42-year-old Alessio Tessieri and his younger sister, Cecilia; he buys the cacao and she turns it into dark, glossy bars. In November, a competition in London awarded a gold prize to one of Cecilia's handiworks, a single-plantation chocolate called Chuao. Two other Amedei products tied for silver. The news from the Tuscany wine region on wine and health has been even more amazing. The health effects of wine drunk in moderation include not just the anti-atherosclerotic (anti -plaque in vessels), antithrombotic (anti-clot formation), but also are the angiogenic properties (inhibit the production of blood vessels) against tumors. Many new therapeutic cancer-fighting drugs work on the premise that the prevention of growth of new blood vessels inhibits the growth of tumors. The tumors need new blood vessels to survive and spread. Resveratrol and OPC’s (Oglimeric Proantho-cyanidins), polyphenols found in the skin and seeds of red grapes, is one of the agents that can inhibit cancer-feeding blood vessels. Red grapes, dark chocolate, blueberries, garlic, soy and tea are some of the ingredients that starve cancer while feeding our bodies. Dr. William Li, M.D., Medical Director and President of the Angiogenesis Foundation was recently covered by Wine Spectato for his presentation at the TED Conference, a small non-profit where the world’s thinkers and doers gather for “Ideas Worth Spreading”, in February 2010. “By examining the potential of antiangeogenics in food, we will find answers to cancer all around us…In our groceries, in our food, and in our glasses,” he says. The great news about Italian wines is their high ranking in resveratrol and OPC content. These deeply-colored wines, including the DOC-ranked Montecarlo, Italy area wines called Rosso’s, are found off the A-11 wine routes near the Chocolate Valley. The pairing of fine Italian chocolates from the “The Chocolate Valley” with the wines of Tuscany, multiply health benefits. These benefits may cause you to want to follow the dream of writers like Sarah Frasier and Richard Turnbull of Lucca, editors of Tuscan Living Magazine and authors of Tuscan Living: From the Yorkshire Moors to the Tuscan Hills (No Going Back) Or follow the most well known expat dream-follower in Tuscany: the famous France Mayes of Cortona, author of Under the Tuscan Sun. All sought to chase the healthy lifestyle this region offers. Follow the A-11autostrada along the Tuscan wine roads through the Chocolate Valley. Buy and renovate a villa or farmhouse (or dream of this). Eat local ingredients. Savor Italian chocolates and drink Tuscan wine. Live long. Visit www.chocosphere.com. |
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most spectacular country sides in the world. The
visual splendor alone can cause endorphins to surge and bodies to
relax. But did you know that you can also receive more than just
visual health benefits from “The Chocolate Valley” and “La Strada del Vino” delle Colline Lucchesi e Montecarlo (The wine road
of the hills around Lucca and Montecarlo)?
America, Napa Valley. She has a B.S. from
Purdue University in Environmental Health. She is the founder of GrapeStone Concepts, is a wine and travel writer, and is an on-going
contributor to Tuscan Living magazine. Visit her blog at: