'u Cerchiarise

 "ci sono posti magici, senza tempo..."

"there are timeless and magic places..."

such the mistical "Santuario Madonna delle Armi" placed on old Medieval Monastery, build on the "Armi" the name of the stone of the Mount Sellaro, surrounding the village of Cerchiara. Just at the beginning of Pollino National Park. If you walk around this beautiful Mountains, you can feel the magician in the air of those timeless places  

People who lives here take very care about the own local traditions. One of the most popular is making the Bread, the famous "Pane di Cerchiara" is one of the most important of  Calabria and South of Italy as well. It's a so strong trdition, that made Cerchiara as a Cittá del Pane (City of  Bread)

Nowaday, there are many Bakeries, either modern and old. But, most important thing is that baking bread is still a families tradition. Usually, made once a week, Bread means Family, Union and Sharing, that's why it's the main ingredient of this sparkling cocktail, to celebrate one fo the symbol of human beings. 

1 barspoon of Pane di Carchiara Sweet paste*
15 ml Porcino Calabro Liquor
0,5 ml Amaro alle Erbe Fondazione S.S. Madonna delle Armi
25 ml Brandy Italiano
topped up with a Spumante Metodo Classico Sparkling wine

Pour the ingredients in a shaker tin with few ice cubes, add little of Spumante. mix gently.
Pour on a pre chilled flute glass and finish with a top up of the Spumante Sparkling Wine.

Garnish withan Organic Carolea Olive on a stick

*for the sweet bread paste take 300gm of Caster Sugar, 700gr of Bread, and 300 gm of water. place the bread in a pan and toasted, then add the water and the sugar. let cook for 10 to 15 minutes, then remove from the fire and blend it with a mixer till it becomes a creamy texture. Store in the fridge.

For more info check the link below:

Comune Cerchiara - Citta-del-Pane

Santuari Calabria

Fondazione Madonna dell Armi

Parco Nazionale del Pollino.