VILLA DEL CONTE is a rural town in Padova, Italy. It is also home to a 75-year-old artisan chocolate-making family business that is now run by third-generation cioccolato connoisseur Enrico Cattapan. (Read: Villa del Conte Story)
During one of the pilgrimage trips of Filipino couple Vince and Rhoda Aldanese to San Antonio de Padua in Padova, they met with the owners and makers of those artisan chocolates. With the intervention of St. Anthony, they were able to come to an agreement for a Filipino company to brand it “Villa del Conte” and market it initally here in Manila and to the rest of the world.
So how did we find Villa del Conte’s chocolates? Read on to find out.
But first, here is a Foodie Guide to the Flavors of Villa del Conte:
Villa del Conte offers individually wrapped Praline Balls, Praline Sticks and Ovicini Chocolate Eggs. The chocolates are color-coded depending on the flavors.
You can order boxes of assorted chocolates in three sizes: piccolo – P480, medio – P780, and grande – P1,480.
There’s a premium if you buy the Gianduja special chocolate: piccolo – P520, medio – P950, and grande – P1,750.
As a rule of thumb – piccolo is 100gms (8 to 10 pcs.), Medio is 250gms (20 to 25 pcs.), and Grande is 500gms (44 to 50pcs).
Check out the complete Villa del Conte Menu.
The best place to buy the chocolates is from their Flagship Store on the ground floor of Resorts World (beside Cafe Maxims) because they usually carry the complete flavors, particularly the new ones.
★ Praline Balls in Dark Chocolate with Hazelnut Cream Filling and Cereals (Silver Wrapper)
My personal favorite! They taste like Ferrero Rocher.
(I haven’t tasted the Gianduja Special Chocolate because it is usually sold out.)
★ Praline Balls in Dark Chocolate with Coffee Cream Filling (Black-colored Wrapper)
If you prefer a bolder taste, try this variant. It’s the perfect companion when driving because it is guaranteed to keep you awake. 🙂
They have the standard orange boxes, but they can also customize the packaging for corporate giveaways or if you want to put your own special seal for the chocolates.
Shelf life of the chocolates is up to 6 months if kept between 13 to 16 degrees storage area.
The boys had a blast trying the sweet treats (they especially liked the creamy filling surprise inside the chocolate).
★ Ovicini
Another favorite of the family! These sugar-coated, dark chocolate eggs with hazelnut cream filling can be bought in three sizes: piccolo – P480, medio – P780, and grande – P1,480.
They’re like big M&Ms with a crunchy outer layer and a soft filling inside. A great gift for kids and kids-at-heart! 🙂
INTIMATE TASTE TEST OF VILLA DEL CONTE NEW CHOCOLATE FLAVORS!
Vince introduced the new Villa del Conte flavors to a close group of business friends.
The new flavors of Praline Balls are Whisky Mocha (Light Brown), Tartufone (chocolate with hazelnuts – Dark Brown), Salted Toffee (Yellow), Chips with Hazelnut (Green) and Blueberry (Blue).
The new flavor of Praline Sticks is Watermelon (Red).
The new variants are Chocolate-coated Walnuts, Chocolate-coated Figs and Chocolate-coated Castañas.
We enjoyed tasting each chocolate flavor carefully, with water as our palate-cleanser.
★ Chocolate-coated Castañas
The best new variant for us is the Choco-covered Castañas. It’s unique and perfect for the Christmas season. 🙂
★ Watermelon Praline Sticks
We also like the different, tasty twist of the Watermelon Praline Stick.
★ Salted Toffee and ★ Tartufone (Chocolate with Hazelnuts)
Among the new types of Praline Balls, the Salted Toffee and Tartufone are our choices. We love the contrast of flavors with the chocolate.
Overall, we find Villa del Conte’s chocolates top-notch and really yummy. I like how they are individually wrapped and color-coded too.
It’s great to know that this Filipino-Branded Italian Artisan Chocolate has raised the level of artisan chocolate quality and flavors here in Manila. It pushes the boundaries of what is possible with Filipino Brands and what is possible with chocolates in the world. 🙂
You’ve got to try it for yourself or give it as an awesome gift for your special someone!
VILLA DEL CONTE CIOCCOLATO
Flagship Store is located at the G/F Resorts World Manila (beside Cafe Maxims)
Other branches: 3/F Trinoma, 2/F Greenbelt 5, 3/F Shangri-la Plaza Mall
Telephone: +632 893-2575 or 621-6101
Email: Info@VilladelConteCioccolato.com or CioccolatoSublime@gmail.com
Website: http://www.VilladelConteCioccolato.com/
Twitter: @VilladelConte
Facebook: Villa del Conte
Check out the Villa Del Conte Complete Brochure.
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Full Disclosure: Our Villa del Conte New Flavors Tasting Experience was courtesy of our friend Rhoda Campos Aldanese, wife of Vince, who is the owner of Villa del Conte.
P.S. Thanks to the lovely group during the Villa del Conte Intimate Taste Test with the owners…
P.P.S. Rumor has it that Jeremy Renner said this is the best chocolates he tasted…