- G.C.D. The term Classico refers to the fact that these wines are grown in a section of the Valpolicella region that is historically recognized for better quality. What Are Good Food Pairings with Valpolicella? They can be quite expensive, but their increasing popularity has lead to a corresponding increase in production, so prices are falling. However, Valpolicella can stand up to quite a bit of acid, so it will take some doing to find a dish that ruins this wine. With hot spicy sauces such as arrabbiatta, aglio olio e peperoncino (garlic, oil and chilli) and puttanesca (anchovies, capers and olives) try either a sharply flavoured dry white wine or a rustic Italian red: a Primitivo or Sicilian red, Zinfandel or Valpolicella Ripasso. Red wines: Chianti, Brunello, Barbera d'Alba, California Merlot Its soft texture and freshness make elegant white wines an ideal match. The magic of these pairings is the acidity of the light red cutting through the delicate texture of a rare steak. A glass of Amarone might make an excellent digestif, for example. These wines are fuller than those mentioned previously, with darker color, medium body, and a broader set of flavors. Rocca Sveva, 2014 - 2023 VinePair Inc. Made In NYC, calcareous, limestone- and clay-rich soils. Red wines: Sicilian reds like Nero d'Avola (similar to a Shiraz) Another creamy, mildly sweet cheese is Buratta, a cows milk and comes from Italys southeast Puglia region. Fuller-bodied ripasso expressions will show exceptionally well alongside roasted meats, burgers, and hearty vegetarian stews. One of the more interesting pairings involves Idiazbal with a ros wine made with the Cabernet-relative Hondarribi Beltza. Beer & Cheese, News & Events, Recipes & Tips, Wine & Cheese. Basics to Pairing Wine with Ham Fruity Wines - Ham, with its sweet-and-salty richness, pairs best with wines that have a touch of sweetness, plenty of acidity and bold fruit. Lively, vibrant Valpolicella is redolent of refreshing sour cherry and aromatic herbs, and, like good Beaujolais, benefits from a slight chill. Thus a lighter red that is refreshing in acidity is all you need. The truffles did not jump to the front of the tongue but rather sang a quiet hymn behind the goaty tang. A regular Valpolicella can be overwhelmed by heavy, flavourful cuts of meat, like beef or game. 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. The wines bright, palate-coating acidity leads to a refreshing and lingering finish. Washed Rind: A bath in brine, beer or wine produces a distinct orange rind. Valpolicella Food Pairing | Vino Critic This is Italian jug wine, the kind you get for 3 or 4 Euros (per box, not bottle) at the market in Italy. Being low in alcohol, a glass of Valpolicella Classico wont get you drunk at lunchtime either. Vicky Wasik. This incredibly milky variety is a true delight! Black cherry, herbs, and spicy fruit dominate Valpolicella Classico, as does its high acidity. The wine tasted fruitier and fuller while the cheese tasted stronger than usual. The more concentrated flavours offer a bit more complexity to hold up to and mingle with the meat. Valpolicella Classico is low in both alcohol and tannin, making it incredibly food-friendly and inexpensive. Expect flavors of black cherries, vanilla bean, and a touch of cinnamon. Go to Pairing American Cheeses with Wine. Go to Italian Cheeses N to Z As with Pinot Noir and Beaujolais, anything with mushrooms is a great match for Valpolicella. These are normally the most affordable of the Valpolicella wines, and they are good for everyday drinking. While a log of bright white goat cheese is iconic, the category also includes farmers cheese, ricotta and others that come in tubs. The rind is edible, and it has a stronger, funkier flavor than the interior. (vahl-pawl-eh-CHEHL-lah): A red blend with black cherry, dried fruit & licorice. "Often the most magical pairings with sweet wines are cheeses that are in contrast to the sweetness of the wine," says Peterson. These wines have very low alcohol content and often have a slight spritz, which helps counteract the smokiness of the cheese. supermarket aisles of wines don't despair. Amarone is wonderful with braised meat dishes, like oxtail stew or bolognese. The four distinct styles of Valpolicella wine are unusual in that all are made from the same short list of native grapes: Corvina, Rondinella, Corvinone, and Molinara. (800) 599-8478 ext 2 The 10 rules of food and wine pairing Watch out for salt and fat Given the high salt content in cured meats, freshness is key when picking a wine. Valpolicella may just be your next favorite wineand best of all, theres an expression for every style of wine drinker out there. Gorgonzola hails from Italys northern Lombardy region, dating back to the 9th century. Instead of forming a new taste together, the flavors of the wine and cheese bounced off each other. A nice, fresh Valpolicella with some good friends is a great way to start an evening, and a slightly chilled glass of Recioto is the perfect way to finish it off. "Consider the pungency of Gorgonzola Picante against a Recioto della Valpolicella." Photo: Courtesy of Eataly. Fresh: Soft and rindless, these can be. Milder blue cheeses like Cambozola share the same potential matches as bloomy cheeses. For these desserts, a light and. It can range in style from soft and subtle to firm, intense, and nutty. An extremely sweet dessert wine, Recioto is actually the oldest style in Valpolicella. Required fields are marked *. Made by fermenting standard Valpolicella with a pomace of grape skins left over from Recioto and Amarone, Ripasso is double-processed, and its name means re-pass. These soft, supple, medium-bodied wines combine the sour cherry notes of standard Valpolicella and the soft, bitter, slightly raisined notes of Amarone and Recioto. Amarone, whose name translates to great bitter, is made by letting those same dried grapes fully ferment. On the contrary, recioto wines are also produced from dried grapes but generally are not vinified dry. If you like powerful, fruity,yet dry red wines, Amarone is for you. For meatier pizza, such as a meat lovers pizza or pizza with sausage, Id go with Valpolicella Superiore. Valpolicella is a famous wine region in Verona, Italy, home to a renowned red wine that is also called Valpolicella. When wine lovers consider red wines from northern Italy, their thoughts may go directly to the esteemed wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, made with the prestigious Nebbiolo grape. The softer, more mild is Dolce, and the more intense, crumbly, and tangier is Piccante. They pair nicely with burgers, grilled steaks,pasta with tomato sauce, or pizza. Wine Pairings: Gamay, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Valpolicella, Earthy reds. The process came about in the 1930s, as did Ripasso. The Montepulciano and Montgomerys Cheddar paired well together only to our fellow taster Zeke, whose favorite cheese happens to be Montgomerys Cheddar. There are also bigger-bodied wines made with the Valpolicella name. The ripe and bone-dry valpolicella classico superiore is produced from 50% corvina and 20% corvinone, rounded out with rondinella and croatina. For light-bodied Valpolicellas or Valpolicella Classico, look for salty, dry cheeses to emphasize the brightness of the wine. Reciotos deep toothsome raspberry notes and dried cherry aromas also hang out for a very long time, softening with time. Whether lighter-bodied, chillable reds ( la gamay or pinot noir) are what you love, or you tend to go for fuller-bodied, powerhouse bottles (hello, New World cabernet lovers), theres a valpolicella for everyone. Valpolicella Superiore is much richer in flavour than Valpolicella Classico and will pair with somewhat heavier dishes such as steak, burgers, lamb and meatier pasta. Ham is salty and sweet, and Valpolicella is light, acidic and fruity. Try drinking a powerful Barolo or Brunello di Montalcino with a little bottle age to match the boldness of this beloved Italian cheese. Valpolicella Rosso is Valpolicella that has been produced outside of this original boundary. The keys to success of the Valpolicella family with Parmigiano are sufficient fruit flavor, and either some sugar or age or both to reduce the effects of tannin in the wine and stand up to the deep, nutty, caramel flavors of the cheese. suggestions here to guide you. The creamy goatiness of Carre du Berry worked until its herbs dominated the conclusion. White wines: Sicilian Chardonnay, RICOTTA SALATA Breakfast Burrito. This will benefit from crisp white or ros wine pairings to balance out its fresh, mildly sweet character. - G.C.D. 2. Amarone and Recioto are wines that can last for 10 years or more in the bottle and improve with age (although, lets be honest, both are also great upon release). On the nose, youll find lots of red and black cherry, along with herbs that complement the tomato sauce spread across your pizza. Risotto all'amarone (a favourite of the River Caf) Beef braised in amarone. "The least successful pairings are most likely to happen with super oaky, low-acid wines," she says. cheese party, an after dinner cheese course or even a grand Ultimate Cheese Course party for some special friends. Masi 06 Valpolicella Bonacosta: This typical Valpolicella was light-bodied and buttery. Prices range from around $25 to more than $100, for superior Amarone. Valpolicella Ripasso and Valpolicella Amarone are in a completely different league than Valpolicella Classico. Due to the many styles and designations of valpolicella, every expression will have its own unique flavor profile. A salty, dry pecorino seemed like the most obvious choice and Pecorino di Grotto worked admirably. It has a sharp acidity and a distinctive sour cherry note that works well with a lot of food. Craving something more savory? Cantina Valpantena Verona This post is the first in our two-part Valpolicella and Amarone Series. The Classico portion lets the buyer know that this wine came from a specific area in Veneto where Valpolicella was historically produced. Valpolicella is a good alternative to Pinot Noir or Beaujolais, and pairs well with poultry, salmon, seafood stew, and grilled vegetables. Enjoy it on its own with a delicate garnish of olive oil and seasoning or melted on top of a crispy, wood-fired pizza. Go to Italian Cheeses A to M Valpolicella and Montepulciano can be found cheap and often deliver better than expected flavors. The no-nonsense guide to cheese for the gourmet, the gourmand, and even the gourmoo! . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Check out Di Brunos latest culinary discoveries, events, promotions, & more! to the wine shop or liquor store as a handy reference tool. Each cheese is an 8 ounce package (2 lbs total). Its full, viscous texture, and opulent flavors of candied fruit, honey, ginger, and baking spice make it a delight with desserts of any kind, but especially those that feature red fruits in the recipe. From Ancient Greek cellars to contemporary collectible bottles, the red wines of this Italian region might just become your new favorites. Enjoy it on its own with a delicate garnish of olive oil and seasoning or melted on top of a crispy, wood-fired pizza. Strong cheeses including mature parmegiano reggiano (parmesan), Ubriaco all'Amarone (cheese matured in amarone grape must), Gorgonzola and Erborinato Veja (another blue cheese) Other . The terms Valpolicella and Amarone are applied to a wide variety of wines that have become popular in the United States in recent years. Kind of, but not really. Red wines: Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello, Lambrusco, Chianti Valpolicella Classico is fantastic with pasta with a red sauce as the herbs and cherry flavours blend in perfectly with the tomato sauce. Gorgonzola hails from Italys northern Lombardy region, dating back to the 9th century. Valpolicella Food Pairing Valpolicella (vahl-pawl-eh-CHEHL-lah): A red blend with black cherry, dried fruit & licorice. To avoid this, cut it in half (and hide the other half somewhere out of view). The wine is also inexpensive. How to Pair Wine and Cheese Like an Expert - Food & Wine Red wines: California Pinot Noir If you are featuring a meatier Pasta Sauce, like Spaghetti and Meatballs, level up a few dollars more with a richer Valpolicella Superiore. What wine goes with ham? Valpolicella is the most famous red wine district in northeastern Italy's Veneto wine region. However, it is also thin in flavour and will be crushed by heavier pasta and pizzas. High in acidity, Valpolicella can bring dry chicken back from the grave as this fresh and youthful wine offers plenty of refreshing flavours. This site participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. amarone, the full name of which is amarone della valpolicella, is made from late-harvested, dried red wine grapes, half of which must be corvina corvinone, rounded out with rondinella and other local varieties. Amarone Food Pairing Amarone, one of the most iconic Italian wines, pairs well with a wide range of foods. Valpolicella: 10 essential facts about the region and its wine - Vincarta Thank You! For these desserts, a light and sweet Moscato dAsti will do the trick. In addition, Amarone della Valpolicella has a complex palate with notes of cherry, spices, such as cinnamon and cracked pepper, chocolate and almond. Valpolicella Classico is a blended Italian red wine meant for everyday drinking. The Future 40 Tastemakers & Innovators of 2022, Go Here, Not There: 3 Alternative Destinations to Popular Wine Regions, 8 Bucket-List Drinks Spots Around the World, Wine Enthusiasts 2022 Wine Star Award Winners, California Privacy Rights Do Not Sell My Information, Crisp, dry and young bottlings (Albario, Soave, Pinot Blanc, Muscadet, Vermentino, Verdejo, Arneis, Sauvignon Blanc, young Chardonnay), Off-dry wines (Gewrztraminer or Riesling) for salty cheeses like feta, Very young, fruity, unoaked red wines (Loire Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Valpolicella, Zweigelt), Dry, traditional-method sparkling wines (brut Champagne. Expect floral, spice-forward flavors of morello cherry, chocolate, and a hint of menthol. By law Valpolicella DOC wines must be made using 45-95% Corvina. Great food pairings include meaty dishes, pasta, risotto, cheese, and many more. Bloomy: These are named for the bloom of white mold on the outside. Yet in my tastings, the contrast of cheese and wine was so great that the flavors of the particular cheese had a limited effect on the combination with the wine. Regional pairings will almost always work well such as Robiolo type cheeses from the Piedmont of Italy paired up with some robust Piedmont red wines or a Sicilian chardonnay or a Sicilian red with a Sicilian cheese like Ragusano. Simply divine when enjoyed with a beef fillet en croute or coq au vin. Light-bodied, dry, unoaked Chardonnay (Chablis). Here are a few pairing ideas for best food with Valpolicella: If you'd like find what wine goes with what food, you can use the Hello Vino tool on this page, or view our large list of food and wine pairing suggestions. Cheese & Wine Pairings BRA Over time, the young wines flavors of cherry and dark berries give way to cooked fruit, including plums and various jams, as well as prunes, hints of sweet spice, chocolate, tobacco, leather, toffee. Wine and charcuterie pairing: Expert advice - Decanter Media & Press Inquiries: The process of grape drying causes the berries to shrivel and dehydrates them, which in turn concentrates the sugars. Its soft texture and freshness make elegant white wines an ideal match. For amarone, grab some aged Parmigiano cheese and get the post-dinner course started, or simply light up a cigar to sip with the wine. The delicate and creamy cheese known as Ricotta is produced by adding milk to the whey that remains after making harder cheeses. Valpolicella Classico & Food Pairings - (with reasons!) - Drink & Pair They tend to have nutty and complex savory notes. Here's a quick pairing guide: Victory for Valpolicella Have you tried Valpolicella before? No reproduction without permission. fortified/dessert wines like port, madeira and sauternes (Gorgonzola, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Piave). They start out as usual red wine, but then in spring they are repassed recombined with the skins left from pressing Recioto and Amarone, which adds both sweet flavors and enough actual sugar to provoke a small new fermentation. Valpolicella food pairing: Spaghetti carbonara Montepulciano d'Abruzzo food pairing: Lasagne Vinho verde food pairing: Seafood pasta Sicilian red food pairing: Pasta with tomato sauce Chilean pinot noir: Macaroni cheese Best wine to serve with carbonara - valpolicella (red) Part two in the series will explore the region, grapes, and winemaking techniques in more depth, to help give you a more complete understanding of one of Italys top red wines. BRA Get the latest news, reviews, recipes and gear sent to your inbox. Wine with beef with mushroom and onion gravy, Wine with ground turkey or turkey burgers. Marble and Solid Acacia Wood All-In-One Lazy Susan Cheese Board (14 Piece Set), Welcome to winemag.com! Share your experiences in the comments below. What did you think of it? While the wine wont complement the lemon and citrus flavours of this meal, Valpolicella is high enough in acidity to not clash with the lemon flavours, allowing its vibrant red cherry flavours to shine bright and bring out the savoury aspect of the chicken. Part one of our series on Valpolicella and Amarone will help you to know what to expect from the various styles how they taste and some popular food pairings. Valpolicella is a red wine blend produced in the Veneto region of Italy. Your email address will not be published. Flavors of plum and sour cherries gave way to soft tannins on the finish. Amarone Food Pairings: Tips and ideas - Fine Dining Lovers Pairing Italian Cheeses with just the right wines Pastisade de caval (horsemeat stew) Tripe. After a few slices of cheese and sips of wine, the flavors melted into each other to become fruity, sweet, dry, and nutty, all at once. The Wine and Cheese Pairing Wheel features 40 cheeses and the wines to pair with them. Produced from 60% corvina, 15% corvinone, and 20% rondinella grapes, plus a touch of molinara, this intensely fragrant wine shows flavors of dark fruits, violets, milk chocolate, and sweet spice. 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. They have a bit more body and deeper flavours than regular Valpolicella and can stand up to heavier foods. Valpolicella Classico is an everyday drinking red wine from Italy that pairs best with everyday food such as pepperoni pizza, red-sauce pasta, risotto, roasted chicken, pork chops in a red sauce, and barbecued foods. Werlin says that one simple rule is to be aware is acidity. The Verdict: Abbaye de Belloc Good cheap wine can easily become great cheap wine. However, generally speaking, classic expressions of valpolicella show flavors of sour cherries, red berries, and cinnamon. While it appears in a few different styles, the standard Valpolicella is an easy-drinking red blend, made up of 3 lesser-known Italian grape varietals: Rondinella, Molinara and Corvina Veronese. To make Recioto, winemakers pick ripe grapes from vines and let them dry on mats or hanging from rafters throughout the month of January, then vinifying these shriveled grapes and stopping fermentation before all sugars convert to alcohol. Get our best cocktail recipes, tips, and more when you sign up for our newsletter. By using our website and/or subscribing to our newsletter, - G.C.D. Try drinking a powerful Barolo or Brunello di Montalcino with, Also from Lombardy, creamy, buttery, and sweeter Mascarpone has a slightly lemon-like quality, making it popular in cheesecake and tiramisu recipes. Standard Valpolicella and Ripasso are best enjoyed within the first five years of their release. White wines: Chardonnay, Gewrztraminer, Riesling Wine and Cheese Pairings: Which Wines pair best with cheeses? Your email address will not be published. Valpolicella is a famous wine region in Verona, Italy, home to a renowned red wine that is also called Valpolicella. The Ripasso wines generally have a juicy sweetness and are often good value. If the dish is rich, gamey, earthy, or tomato sauce-based, Ripasso is an incredibly food-friendly wine to pair up with it. Valpolicella - Italian Wine Region | Wine-Searcher Here are eight delizioso cheese and vino pairings worth trying any time! "Dry, juicy Italian reds were what early Italian immigrants once drank with their meatballs and spaghetti. Cantina Valpolicella Negrar Fortunately, at a wine shop, and especially if you choose a Ripasso, there is perhaps less gamble with Valpolicella than most wines. The welcome pleasant bitter tones of a good Amarone will lift your palate and excite the senses while Ripasso is a great mid-meal companion, or the perfect thing to sip thoughtfully by the fireplace. Youll find that Valpolicella is also excellent with a Calzone, Panzerotti, or pizza bites. This will benefit from crisp white or ros wine pairings to balance out its fresh, mildly sweet character. Valpolicella Ripasso pairs best with Grilled Steak, Mushroom Risotto, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Duck, Braised Lamb, and Venison. A Visual Guide to Northern Italy's Chillable, Light-Bodied Reds The Verdict: Pecorino di Grotto , Truffle Tremor. Some are fairly pungent and salty. A glass of fresh. As the wine became popular, the borders of what could be Valpolicella expanded. Sartori di Verona Accordini Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso, Buglioni lImperfetto Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Domini del Leone Valpolicella Classico Ripasso, Tommaso Bussola Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso Ca' del Laito, Sancerre: What to Know and 5 Bottles to Try, Chenin Blanc: What to Know and 7 Bottles to Try, Muscadine: What to Know and 6 Bottles to Try, Gewurtztraminer: What to Know and 5 Bottles to Try, Verdejo: What to Know and 5 Bottles to Try, Your Guide to Sparkling Wine: The Main Types and More, Albario: What to Know and 6 Bottles to Try, Chillable Red Wine: What to Know and 7 Bottles to Try. As a relatively light and appealing red wine, Valpolicella can be quite interchangeable with Beaujolais or Pinot Noir when it comes to food pairing. Its hard, aromatic, and buttery-flavored style calls for b. Sparkling wines: Brut Champagne, Prosecco, PECORINO SARDO Try it with. She has a background as a wine buyer and consultant. Be sure to visit us at WTSO.com for online wine deals. Check out the links below for more wine and cheese pairings (British Cheeses with Wine, Ales and Ciders and French Cheeses with Wine and American Cheeses with Wine). But Valpolicella comes in diverse forms from dry to sweet, including the rare sparkling sweet red called Recioto Spumante. Great ham-wines include Riesling, Moscato, Chenin Blanc, Ros, Lambrusco, Grenache, and Zinfandel. To simplify the strategy, cheeses can be divided into six categories. Traditionally, it was nature that determined whether a wine made from partly dried grapes turned out dry as Amarone or sweet as Recioto whether, in the rising alcohol, conditions became so inhospitable that the yeasts stopped early, leaving the wine sweet, or continued until the sugar was gone. Wines labelled Amarone and Ripasso do not apply to any of the pairings we mention below. To simplify the strategy, cheeses can be divided into six categories. Amarone della Valpolicella Food Pairing | Pasta Evangelists Entertaining & Holiday Tips, Our Favorite Products & Producers, Tags: caviar, new years, new years eve, petrossian, Your email address will not be published. Salt in food softens the acidity in wine, so choose higher acidity styles. While, for main dishes that include Mascarpone, try a lively sparkling wine like Prosecco. Or go full Venetian with a brasato allAmarone, a classic dish of braised beef cooked with Amarone and served with polenta. As a relatively light and appealing Young Sauvignon Blanc from Loire or a newly released Provence ros will work beautifully. Valpolicella is a good alternative to Pinot Noir or Beaujolais, and pairs well with poultry, salmon, seafood stew, and grilled vegetables. Also from Lombardy, creamy, buttery, and sweeter Mascarpone has a slightly lemon-like quality, making it popular in cheesecake and tiramisu recipes. Young Valpolicella pairs well with salads and seafood, pastas like gnocchi, beef-filled tortellini di Valeggio, or pizza. Young, Hard, salty Pecorino Romano is produced from sheeps milk, with younger versions making a fine appetizer. 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. Here is a short list of recommendations which can serve as a starting point for Pairing Italian Cheeses with Wines. In addition to the berry fruits of regular Valpolicella, Ripassos will have notes of blackberry, plum, cocoa, nutmeg, and espresso. Red wines: Lambrusco, Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello, MOZZARELLA DI BUFALA CAMPANA Ripasso is a beautiful dark ruby color with rich spicy aromas featuring a hint of black pepper and calm, sweet cherries. Amarone and Recioto della Valpolicella are decidedly different, while wines such as Valpolicella Ripasso (which is a regular red wine with the addition of leftover dried grapes) can be paired with similar flavours and slightly denser meats. Fortified/Dessert wines: Port, Madeira, Sherry, Sauternes With such a wide range of styles, Valpolicella wines speak to every palate preference. Roquefort and Sauternes. Like the wine, Parmigiano changes in flavor as it ages; it also becomes stronger and saltier. In the plans just south of these mountains, Valpolicellas vines rest in rich, alluvial soil. Recioto is unfortunately rare these days, but if you find a bottle, you should give it a try. Therefore, these wines have higher levels of sugar and lower levels of alcohol, around 12% on average. We recommend a stone fruit- and honey-scented Fiano di Avellino. Try it with a wine from the southern Campania region, where the cheese likely originated. Click on the image to order your assortment today! Amarone and Recioto, because they come from semi-dried grapes and are usually older, have more of the latter group. You can learn about the region and the winemaking process in our second post. Fresh: Soft and rindless, these can be made with cow, goat or sheep milk. Serve it on chilly nights with your favorite comfort foods. Its soft structure and rich fruit also make it pleasant to drink on its own. Corvinone can also substitute up to 50% of the quote for Corvina, which brings round, cherry flavors. Close in style to Parmigiano-Reggiano and also originating from northern Italy, Grana Padano is an unpasteurized cows milk cheese. Recioto is an absolute success with tiramisu, chocolate, and cakes. Ripasso wines will show fuller-bodied, velvety textures, with possible added notes of baking spice, vanilla, and/or chocolate due to their time in oak. Pairing Wine with Steak, Lamb, and Other Red Meat | Wine Folly Rondinella must comprise from 5% up to 30% of the blend, offering lush floral notes. Valpolicella Rosso is the ultimate pairing with pizza as the wine tastes a little bit like pizza. Fortified/Dessert wines: Port, Madeira, Red wines: Northern Italian reds from Nebbiolo grape such as Barolo and Barbaresco - and Barbera grape such as Barbera d'Asti, Barbera d'Alba, or Dolcetta d'Alba For heavier Valpolicella, like Ripasso, you can start looking at steaks and thick braised meats. This youthful valpolicella shows flavors of sour cherry, fresh-picked herbs, and a touch of crushed stones. Last updated January 31st 2023 And while Pecorino di Grotto and Pecorino di Pienza tasted worthy with the Montepulciano, Abbaye du Belloc offered the most rewarding flavors. Red wines: Robust reds from Piedmont regions However, they will be excellent when paired with roast chicken, light burgers, or anything in that oily vein, as the wine possesses a sharp, biting acidity. Follow The Gourmet Cheese Detective on Twitter: @The_Cheese_Tec.