Italian Wines & Food Pairings

ITALIAN WINES & GOOD FOOD PAIRINGS (compiled by: Dan)

Whites:
Gavi
Prosecco
Moscato D'Asti
Soave or Orvieto
Pinot Grigio
Vin Santo

Reds (most Italian reds are dry)
Dolcetto
Barbera
Primitivo (same clone as zinfandel)
Chianti
Chianti Classico
Nero D'Avola

Pairings:
Gavi - Fish (fried and/or white), pasta w/ cream sauce, pasta w/ pesto sauce, seafood (esp. soup or stew), fried or roasted vegetables.

Prosecco - almonds, asparagus, prosciutto, smoked salmon, shrimp (chilled), appetizers.

Moscato D'Asti – fruit tart

Soave or Orvietto - chicken (esp. as a salad), clams, crab, light preparation of fish (poached), polenta w/ Gorgonzola cheese, scampi, seafood, pasta w/ seafood, calamari. Also for Orvietto specifically: prosciutto w/ melon.

Pinot Grigio (Ruffino if available)- Eli's Parmesan crackers*, seafood, shellfish, goats milk or sheepsmilk cheese, chicken (fried, grilled or roasted), mussels, salmon, scallops, light seafood dishes, shrimp.

Vin Santo - biscotti (plain or hazelnut) for dipping in the wine.

Dolcetto - red meat grilled or roasted and/or served cold, grilled or roasted chicken w/ tomato sauce, pasta w/ cheese and vegetables (simple sauces), roasted tomatoes, tomato-based dishes (bruschetta), pizza bites, salami.

Barbera - full flavored cheese (pecorino), fontina cheese, grilled sausage, salami, tomatoes, grilled or roasted root vegetables, Chinese food, chili, garlic, grilled mushrooms, hamburgers with bacon and cheese.

Primitivo - strong cheese, spicy vegetable dishes, sausage, pasta with spicy meat sauces

Chianti and Chianti Classico - baked pastas (lasagna, cannelloni, manicotti), pizza bites, caprese salad (basil, buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, olive oil), Parmesan, pecorino, provolone, grilled mushrooms, beans and bean based dishes, grilled red meats.

Nero D'Avola - meatballs (and meatballs with rice), baked pastas, red meat.

TASTING #2 (08/05/09) - Italian Wines

Wine tasting #2 was held at Jason & Andrea's and featured Italian wines and appropriate food pairings (theme thought of by Dan)...

1. Orvieto
Brought by: Mike, Jen & Jeff
Purchase info:
Paired with: proscuitto & melon

2. Soave
Brought by: Jan & Tom
Purchase Info: Sendik Greenfield
Paired with: proscuitto pinwheels

3. Barbera
Brought by: Jason, Andrea & Kari
Purchase Info: Thief Wine
Paired with: Parmigiano-Reggiano & Italian bread http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parmigiano_reggiano


4. DaVinci Chianti (2006)
Brought by: Kim & Andy
Purchase Info:
Paired with: Lasagna (brought by Debby & Rich)

5. DaVinci Chianti Classico (2005)
Brought by: Kristen & Joe
Purchase Info: Woodman's Oak Creek ($18)
Paired with: Lasagna (brought by Debby & Rich)

6. Moscato D'Asti
Brought by: Dan & Tad
Purchase Info:
Paired with: fruit tart
Review: Saracco’s Moscato is perfumed with notes of fresh lychee, pear and white flower floating from the glass. On the palate, the fruit is lifted by the sparkle, and touches of residual sugar add candied essence to the fresh fruit. Saracco’s Moscato can be enjoyed as an aperitif. Or at the end of the meal, Saracco will refreshingly match with fresh fruit and whipped cream. Also - this wine has tiny, bubbles in it, not as large as the bubbles in Champagne. The Italians call wines with these little bubbles "frizzante". Frizzante wines have small bubbles that offer a refreshing tingle while helping to mask the wine’s sweetness. Italians call wines with larger Champagne-size bubbles "spumante".