Chocolate & Fine Wine Reign at Grand Velas Festival
By FBWorld Team

Guests who where at the Grand Velas Resort Puerto Vallarta in late March were treated to a beyond sweet experience during the hotel's Festival Del Chocolate, featuring the star of Mexican Chocolatier's Jose Ramon Castillo, founder of Que Bol Chocolateria Mexicana Evolutiva, who delighted guests with a sensational tasting of his unique one-of-a-kind Que Bol chocolates, paired with exceptional wines selected by Grand Velas Sommelier Kritzia Barrientos Eggers.

Que Bol Chocolate Presentation for Tasting

Jose Ramon Castillo's deep knowledge of modern cuisine combined with artisanal techniques produces some of the most amazing and pleasurable flavors and taste sensations I've ever experienced as a chocolate judge. These chocolates are original, colorful, sometimes whimsical and totally exciting. The wines selected included Fragolino La Gioiosa (Fragola Grape) (Red Wine Semi-Sparkling), Muga Blanco (Viura Grape) (White Wine), Famille Castel Cuvée Rose Brut (8 Grapes Blend) (Sparkling Dry Rosé) and Mezcal Amores Blanco by Agave Espadín.

Fragolino La Gioiosa (Fragola Grape) (Red Wine Semi-Sparkling), Muga Blanco
(Viura Grape) (White Wine), Famille Castel Cuvée Rose Brut (8 Grapes Blend)
(Sparkling Dry Rosé) and Mezcal Amores Blanco by Agave Espadín

The result of Castillo's maintaining his faith in domestic ingredients without the use of fillings containing creams, butters or sugars is a simple explanation for his title of Master Chocolatier of the Americas along with many other awards worldwide. My personal favorites were orange blossom, banana, and the one that exploded in my mouth was a chocolate made with cardamon - so delicious!

Executive Sous Chef Isaac Esparza, Executive Chef Guillaume Morance,
Sommelier Kritzia Barrientos Eggers, Chocalatier Jose Ramon Castillo

Grand Velas Executive Chef Guillaume Morance participated in the tasting along with Isaac Esparza, Executive Sous Chef. Pilar Perciavalle, Managing Director of Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit acted as host, did introductions and welcomed guests at the event. Grand Velas will schedule another Festival Del Chocolate in 2019. Visit www.grandvelas.com to find next year's dates or to make reservations.

Other Related Links:

By Bonnie Carroll

About Bonnie Carroll
Bonnie Carroll has been a food/travel/lifestyle writer since 1983. She is the founder & publisher of Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites News - www.lifebitesnews.com, does travel and food reporting on KZSB1290 radio, and contributes to a variety of national and international travel/lifestyle publications. Her first children's book C.C. Charles was published in 2002 and she is currently working on a second book. Contact her at Contact her at writebc@aol.com.