Dario Cecchini Profumo del Chianti

Profumo del Chianti from 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 also a very poetic man in addition to his work as a butcher, his passion as a showman and his activity as a food visionary.  He can recite countless verses from the poet and philosopher Dante Alighieri. Moreover, he sometimes tends to give his products very poetic names: like for example its herbal salt… It bears the wonderful melodic name Il Profumo del Chianti. Dario himself says that this salt is the "l’essenza della Toscana" - the essence of Tuscany. In a sober way, it is a salt flavoured with sun-dried Tuscan herbs. But if you taste a pinch, you have the feeling that the forests and meadows of Tuscany are melting in your mouth. By the way for Dario it is enough to mix the the salt with olive oil as a dip for raw vegetables - the "Pinzimonio". Simply marvellous! But Dario salt is also excellent af course for seasoning meat and other (Tuscan) dishes. Il Profumo del Chianti is available in glasses of 50, 220, 250 and 370 grams. A must in every well-equiped 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, you can hear sometimes the bass of AC/DC’s "Highway to Hell" rumbling through the tranquil street. If you take a look at the salesroom, you will see something that not necessarily look like a conventional butcher’s shop. A lot of people are standing in the salesroom, bobbing to the rhythm of the music, a glass of red wine in one, a piece of fennel salami or a piece of Pane Toscano coated with Burro del Chianti in the other hand. And behind the meat counter Dario Cecchini, the owner of Antica Macelleria, cheers on his guests. When the music suddenly changes into classical, it can happen that Dario smashes an aria in a duet with Luciano - Pavarotti of course. The guests are constantly picked up by the Macelleria staff and disappear through the inside doors: they are among the lucky ones who have reserved a table in the Cucina. Because the Macelleria - i.e. the butcher’s shop - also includes a Cucina - i.e. a kitchen, as Dario modestly calls it. And what in this Cucina is conjured makes the heart of the meat tigers 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 under the name Solociccia a series of meat dishes. You can also order a so-called Accoglienza, which is in principle a rich potpourri of the products that Dario sells in the Macelleria. And except for the Dario Doc: you pay a fixed price, something like "eat as much as you can" where wine, schnapps and coffee are included. If you wish, 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, do not miss to go to Dario. But please do not forget to make a reservation!