Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/39104
The Flavor Profile One of the clear differences in Caravella is its aroma: The sweetness is not the first sense to greet your nose. Rather, it’s an edgy tartness—more like a lime. Why? “The unripeness,” answers Sperone. “Ten to 15 percent of the lem- ons we use are still green, unripe. That’s what emits more flavor and taste.” The texture of the limoncello spreads with a peppered, lemon-oil unctuous- ness across the palate. A grassiness, similar to some Sauv Blancs, is at the core, but the middle is sweeter, with a long, clean finish. The oils coat the glass; it’s a liqueur with legs. “For me, I just love the perfume,” Sperone says. “I try to find those complex notes, the different tastes, but truly, it just connects me back to the lemons themselves.” Caravella Orangecello is made from Sicilian-grown Tarocco blood oranges. Italian farmers cultivate the oranges on the rich fertile slopes of Mount Etna. quality is there, consistently. The price happens to be fair. You have to realize that if I make a dessert with Calvados, the mark-up is because of the spirit. With Caravella, I can make the finest vinaigrette or sauce, or lemon sorbet, but the value is manageable. And look at the bottle: It presents itself so well!” It’s that simplicity that is actually the mantra for Caravella’s produc- tion, according to Sperone. “We have wonderful relationships with our lemon growers in Sicily. The lemons are . . . perfumed.” The process starts with taking off the peel of the lemon—that’s it: no fruit and none of the bitter white layer. Adding grain alcohol and sugar to the peels, they soak for 10 to 15 days. “The scratched peels release the fragrant lemon oils,” Sperone gestures with his hands. His eyes close, and as he describes the aromatics, I nose a glass of Caravella, inspired. THE LIMONCELLO REFRESHER 2 oz. Caravella limoncello 1 oz. vodka ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Splash of triple sec Splash of sweet & sour Splash of soda Stir and garnish with a skinned lemon peel. august 201 1 / the tasting panel / 55 Prego bartender Angelica Pineda makes a refreshing limoncello cocktail.