Traditional Mozzarella is made from cows milk, but this world-famous cheese can also come from buffalos, sheeps, or even goats milk. These are normally the most affordable of the Valpolicella wines, and they are good for everyday drinking. Lighter Red Wines. Molinara is used sparingly these days, and provides lean acidity. Red wines: Chianti, PARMIGIANO-REGGIANO On the contrary, recioto wines are also produced from dried grapes but generally are not vinified dry. Roquefort and Sauternes. Santi Craving something more savory? Red meats, in the form of stracotto, braised beef and all slow-cooked dishes find their ideal contrast in Amarone with its high alcohol content and pliant tannins. The region lies oncalcareous, limestone- and clay-rich soils, and hills climbing upward of more than 1300 feet above sea level. Grapes for amarone production are generally allowed to dry for three to four months; post-fermentation, the wines age for a few years in oak prior to release. As a relatively light and appealing red wine, Valpolicella can be quite interchangeable with Beaujolais or Pinot Noir when it comes to food pairing. Wine Pairing Advice: What to Drink With Italian-American Classics They are both produced in the Veneto region, near the cities of Venice and Verona, from a blend of local red grapes. Lighter red wines pair with leaner cuts and red meats that are served closer to the raw form. Purchases made through links on this site do not affect the price you pay for products purchased. If you have a more mature one, grate it over pasta and meat dishes, especially those of Roman cuisine. This is what to know about the versatile Italian red wine, plus five bottles to try. "The least successful pairings are most likely to happen with super oaky, low-acid wines," she says. Ham is salty and sweet, and Valpolicella is light, acidic and fruity. Wine & Cheese Pairing Tips - Wine & Cheese Party - Redbook For Amarone, some producers today aim at the legal minimum of 14 percent alcohol, while more tradition-minded ones employ sweeter grapes and allow Amarone to rise naturally to 15 and 16 percent alcohol or more. The more fruit-filled wines act somewhat like the cherry preserves served with Basque ewes-milk cheese (and now the host of other sweets served with other cheeses). A salty, dry pecorino seemed like the most obvious choice and Pecorino di Grotto worked admirably. Regardless of style or designation, these wines are generally always best enjoyed slightly chilled. Strong cheeses including mature parmegiano reggiano (parmesan), Ubriaco all'Amarone (cheese matured in amarone grape must), Gorgonzola and Erborinato Veja (another blue cheese) Other . These wines have very low alcohol content and often have a slight spritz, which helps counteract the smokiness of the cheese. White wines: Sicilian Chardonnay, Gewrztraminer, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc. Flavors of plum and sour cherries gave way to soft tannins on the finish. As we mentioned earlier, Valpolicella is a very versatile pairing for food. Wines to match different pasta sauces | Matching Food & Wine Gorgonzola hails from Italys northern Lombardy region, dating back to the 9th century. Recioto, with its sugar, is better around 55 to 60 degrees F (13 to 16 degrees C), not as cold as white dessert wines. An extremely sweet dessert wine, Recioto is actually the oldest style in Valpolicella. However, generally speaking, classic expressions of valpolicella show flavors of sour cherries, red berries, and cinnamon. Recioto is an absolute success with tiramisu, chocolate, and cakes.. But Valpolicella comes in diverse forms from dry to sweet, including the rare sparkling sweet red called Recioto Spumante. These dry, versatile reds pair with a variety of dishes and are great company throughout a meal. Fortified/Dessert wines: Sauternes (Semillon), RAGUSANO Light-bodied, dry, unoaked Chardonnay (Chablis). 1. Go to Italian Cheeses A to M Thus a lighter red that is refreshing in acidity is all you need. Go to Main Italian Cheeses Page Its name is thought to be a mix of Latin and ancient Greek, and translates to valley of many cellars. The regions revered red wines are diverse, spanning four styles: dry, epic Amarone; the spicy cherry charms of ValpolicellaRipasso; sweet Recioto; and lively, accessible Valpolicella. Required fields are marked *. Fortunately, at a wine shop, and especially if you choose a Ripasso, there is perhaps less gamble with Valpolicella than most wines. Valpolicella Classico They tend to have nutty and complex savory notes. The costly dry Amarone and the relatively easy-to-find, sweet still Recioto, are made from partially dried grapes (with traditional drying, sometimes noble rot appears). Some cheeses can partner well with a fairly wide variety of reds and When the wines reach this temperature, they feel soft with velvety tannins, enabling all of their perfumes to breathe. It can range in style from soft and subtle to firm, intense, and nutty. Share your experiences in the comments below. Among the further complications, any of the ostensibly dry Valpolicella wines can have some detectable sugar, and any of them, dry or sweet, may be made in a traditional or modern style or in between. The process of grape drying causes the berries to shrivel and dehydrates them, which in turn concentrates the sugars. Now that youve learned about the different styles and tastes of these delicious wines from Italy, you can compare and contrast the tastes for yourself. Theyre rich and creamy, and they can be soft or semi-soft in texture. Amarone Food Pairing (new wine guide 2023) | VinYang - G.C.D. Burrata: A mozzarella exterior gives way to a luscious, milky center of mozzarella scraps mixed with cream. This 240-square-kilometer area in northern Italys Veneto region is located in the foothills of the Alps, which provide its northern border, and in and around the descending valleys of the Lessini Mountains. Traditional pairings from the region. I have some helpful Put the Gourmet Cheese Detective on the case! I hesitate to break the trinity of bread, cheese, and wine, but, eating a little of the concentrated cheese and sipping the wine, you can do without bread., Kyrgyzstan and the Cuisine of the Silk Road. The wine is also inexpensive. Wine and Cheese Pairing Guide Wine and cheese pairing possibilities are endless. Vicky Wasik. Bussola ferments this wine in stainless steel, then moves the wine over to the pressed amarone skins in February and March. But even some Amarone and Recioto dont have enough fruit for the cheese; Reciotos sugar can dominate. Valpolicella Classico is also surprisingly delicious with Lemon Chicken served over a bed of warm pasta. Reciotos deep toothsome raspberry notes and dried cherry aromas also hang out for a very long time, softening with time. you agree to our use of cookies and the terms of our. As it is a light red wine, Valpolicella works very well as a partner for appetizers, or as an appetizer in itself. Red wines: Chianti, Brunello, Barbera d'Alba, California Merlot Beer & Cheese, News & Events, Recipes & Tips, Wine & Cheese.