Cocchi (co-KEY) is a producer of aromatized wines, sweet vermouth and Barolo chinato based in the town of Asti, in the Piedmont region of Italy. The Cocchi company was founded in 1891 by Guilio Cocchi, who was a a bartender in Florence before moving to Asti and becoming a sparkling wine maker and distiller.
By 1913, Cocchi had opened a number of tasting rooms throughout the Piedmont. In the late 1970's, the company was bought by the Bava family, who run it today.
Today, Cocchi makes a number of sparkling and still wines that have limited distribution. They also make three products that have a wider distribution through Haus Alpenz: Cocchi Americano, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, and Cocchi Barolo Chinato.
Cocchi Americano is a white aperitif wine that is has a base of Moscato d'Asti, and is infused with herbs and spices. It is similar, but more bitter than [ingredient=lillet Lillet], and some feel it is an appropriate replacement for the defunct Kina Lillet. It is a pale yellow color and clear, with aromas of citrus peels, Muscat wine, and an herbal, bitter accord. It is 33 proof.
Cocchi Americano should be treated like [ingredient=dry-vermouth dry vermouth]. One opened, it should be kept in the refrigerator and drunk within a few weeks.
Cocchi Vermouth di Torino is a classic example of the Turin style of [ingredient=sweet-vermouth sweet vermouth], with its base of Moscato d'Asti, and further flavorings of cocoa, rhubarb, and citrus. Cocchi's vermouth is not as complex and vanilla-flavored as Carpano Antica Formula, but is also less bitter than Punt e Mes.
Cocchi Barolo Chinato is a digestif based on wine from the DOCG of Barolo in the Piedmont. The wine base is infused with aromatics like rhubarb, ginger, China Calissaja bark, and warm spices, then bittered with quinine and gentian and lightly fortified. All Barolo Chinato are intensely aromatic and can take over cocktails unless caution is used.
Some popular cocktails containing Cocchi Americano
- Colette — Sparkling rosé wine, Blanco tequila, Cappelletti Aperitivo, Aromatized wine, Orange bitters, Herbal liqueur, Grapefruit peel
- Spring Sting — Cognac, Aromatized wine, Scotch, Amaro Nardini, Cucumber, Aloe vera liqueur
- Price of Prudence — Gin, Aromatized wine, Dry vermouth, Honey Liqueur, Bitters, Lemon peel
- Spritzcarraldo — Aromatized wine, Sparkling white wine, Barbados Rum, Tonic water
- Off The Vine — Gin, Vodka, Aromatized wine, Celery bitters, Lemon juice
- Gone Camping — Rye, Zirbenz Stone Pine Liqueur, Aromatized wine, Genepy, Amaro, Rosemary, Orange peel
- Cukes of July — Gin, Maraschino Liqueur, Falernum, Aromatized wine, Bitters, Lime juice, Club soda, Cucumber, Dill
- Honey & Thistle — Cardamaro, Aromatized wine, Amaro Sibilla, Tonic water, Orange peel
- Sunbeams Through The Forest Trees — Zirbenz Stone Pine Liqueur, Gin, Suze, Aromatized wine, Grapefruit peel
- Mosquitera — Aromatized wine, Blanco tequila, Soda water, Lime juice, Rosemary, Lime