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Corti Brothers Newsletter for December 2006 Page 8 Shippam's is one of, if not the oldest, producer of potted products in England. Potted means that some form of meat or fish was cooked with butter, spiced and then put into a “pot,” covered with butter or fat and used when fresh material for snacks or dishes was not available. It is this kind of “potted” product that the Shippam’s Crab Spread is. Used as is, or mixed with butter, generally the same amount as the potted material, it is used for hors d’oeuvres, savouries, just plain nibbles or for flavoring bland dishes. Shippam’s Crab Spread is nicely flavored, but not at all like Dungeness crab, and delicious by itself or for use as a savoury. Another traditional, old product, this is a decided English flavor.
Nardini is one of the most important, if not the oldest (1779), producer of grappa in Italy. They make classic white grappa, and flavored ones with almond, citron, rue and then this lovely thing called Tagliatella. A blended aperitif, based on grappa, you just have to chill it and pour into a glass–Tagliatella is one of Italy’s newest aperitivi. If you like drinks made with a bitterish-Campari-like flavor, Nardini Tagliatella is for you. Pleasantly bitterish, with a distinctive, almost bitter orange cum sour cherry flavor, Tagliatella makes a wonderful change of pace for pre-dinner drinks. Naturally, you drink only one! Coming already mixed, it saves time in bartending and is very Italian. Different and distinctive, it may not be for everyone, but then neither is a Martini.
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Corti Brothers
Sacramento CA
