San Pellegrino Chinotto - 6 pack (6.75 oz bottles)

After discovering the San Pellegrino product line, I did a search and happened upon this particular product. After reading some of the reviews, I was intrigued and just had to try it. Now, having tried it, I don't understand the reviews at all. Perhaps it's just an example of how very different people's taste buds are. But this product, to me, is not the least bit bitter. It is quite sugary (sugar is the second ingredient listed, next to water). It does not taste at all lemony or like orange. To me, it tastes very similar to China Cola, which is primarily vanilla, clove, and licorice. China Cola, tastes very similar to Coke. The only real plus to this product is that it is caffeine free... but... so is China Cola (which is expensive, but cheaper than this product), and caffeine free Coke. It does have a little bit of an aftertaste which tastes like fermented grapes... a little like a wine cooler, and this aftertaste goes away very quickly. Not bad. It is good. But nothing special. If they bottled it state side, and therefore would be much cheaper, I would buy more often. But, all in all... it's a good drink.. ok, not bitter,... very sugary though.

Thanks, Amazon. Was looking for Chinotto for several month. As I am from Europe, I once tried real Italian Chinotto. Than we moved to USA and I was craving it, found this on Amazon. Taste is great, delivery was fast and we run out of them in 2 days only. Will buy again.

I thought this drink would be sour, but it's bitter. Some people like it, most don't.From all the customers that try it, just a couple of italians guy really enjoy it.It was good to have and try something new and different, but I wouldn't buy it again.

Excellent product. Authentic. In Rome we have bought large plastic bottles. Much easier and you can pour as much as you want. Getting teady to order a case!!

This is an acquired taste. I guess if you grew up in Italy with the bitter/sour Chinotto oranges it would be easier to enjoy. It could be better if it hada bit more sugar mixed in.

Having never had any other varieties of Chinotto, after seeing another Chinotto product on an episode of Food Factory, I just wanted to give 'er a whirl as they say. The manufacturer featured on the TV show was talking about how great this went with pizza. I love cold pizza. I love hot pizza. I love Coke & pizza. I love beer & pizza. So silly me, I figured hey, why not add another pizza pairing to the repertoire. I gambled. I like to gamble - ponies, dice, sports, gambling can be fun. Sometimes gambling is not fun - like going to Vegas & losing your kid's college tuition, or...drinking Chinotto. Historically, Chinotto was derived from oranges (so said Food Factory), so I took a couple bottles to a friend who loves orange soda (any variety). I asked Tony to tell me what he thought, because maybe this was just my inexperienced palate balking the greatest orange wonder in history. Tony doesn't usually call me immediately on these types of things. I'm quoting his text here, "I tried it. I thought maybe it was because I didn't have the pizza with it. I got some pizza, good pizza. I'm not sure there's enough pizza in North America to make this stuff good." I wouldn't say I'd go THAT far, but Tony definitely hit on something. I'm not sure if it's this blend or just Chinotto in general, but it DEFINITELY seems to be an acquired taste. But hey, so was beer the first time. I just wouldn't want you expecting the Easter Bunny with chocolate eggs you get raw eggs instead. You've been warned.

So I picked this up at World Market, but figured a review on Amazon'd be a bit more visible.Not sure if my batch was bad in some way or not, but.. well, I adore bitter flavors of all types [eg, alcohol, coffee, tea, dark chocolate, etc], but this is definitely on the harsher side of things.Moreover, the taste, ah.. well, it's supposed to be based on oranges, and while I'm not familiar with the variety in question, the only orangey aspect was in the scent. Rather, bergamot oil [ie, the citrus used in Earl Grey tea] (which I love) doesn't typically taste all that much like orange, but at least you can believe the association *might* exist. Here..Well, this tastes exactly like a mix of olive oil and quinine. And when I say "exact", what I mean is this isn't a case of making a review along the lines of "this tastes like urine, despite my never actually having drank that so as to be able to give a fair comparison". [Here's looking at you, Anheuser-Busch products.]Rather, I taste olive oil and quinine on a regular basis, and this really truly tastes like someone mixed those, added sugar, carbonated water, and a splash of orange aroma to the bottle, and then put it up for sale. Smells just like that, as well. As in, that is one heck of a strong olive smell.From that perspective, it actually seems like a rather well produced beverage. The aroma is rather overpowering, but the tastes aren't too pungent, aside from the aftertaste, and seem well-balanced to one another. So, if this is the flavor profile you're into, then this may really do it for you. As for me, I'm just.. well, I'm not keen to open up another bottle any time soon, in any case.

I discovered Chinotto in Sardinia many years ago. But only realized it was available in the US years later when a friend served it at a gets together in his house. I have always enjoyed its unique and refreshing flavor so I started buying it here and introducing my friends to it.