Since the start of my food blogging, I have been tremendously interested in wines. Coupled with my WSET level 1, I have been lucky to taste quite a few since then. But one country that has impressed me the most has been the wines from Italy. The balmy conditions of the Mediterranean Sea have lent their red wines quite a robust flavour. In this article, I am going to be enumerating some of the red wines and the food pairings I have tried in recent times. Although this sounds like material for a print article already, I still have some more research to do in the field of Italian wines
Red Italian Wines
Barbaresco: The Queen of Italian wines
Orlando Abrigo Barbaresco 2013
The Barbaresco came and she made me her lover at first sight. The Orlando Abrigo Barbaresco 2013 had been hatched in the vineyards of North West Italy. Known as the Queen of Italian wines, she gives off a strong hint of dark berries and Christmas spices. But just like a true woman you need to take some time to turn her on. A swirl here, some gentle cupping and letting her stay on your tongue, she takes me to heights of ecstasy I haven’t reached before. In essence, she is quite the bong. Full bodied while spitting fire sometimes. Although we taper off the night with Creme Brulee and Gewurztraminer that tastes of Roses and Litchi, it is the taste of Barbaresco that still lingers on my tongue.
Chianti: My first love of Italian wines
Tenuta Di Nozzole Chianti Classico 2014
Her story is pretty interesting too. Starting off as a recipe, it was standardized to be made with Sangiovese grapes exclusively. Although some additions of white wine were permitted later on, but the majority of flavors are that of the “Blood of Jupiter”. As usual, she seduced me with the perfect balance of dark fruits and measured tannins, but I wasn’t going to be a faithful lover. The pork ribs at Twist, Cyber Hub along with dish acted like my best friend trying hard to convince me of folly, but even it’s sweet goodness could’t prevent me for taking the next step.
Brolio 2013 Chianti
The meal at Hyatt Regency’s Italian restaurant, La Piazza starts with a Brolio 2013 Chianti which provides us the perfect Italian setting with it’s dryness. Some light opera plays off in the background as we dig into the first of Chef Ivan’s creations. A Bread unlike others, some fresh crispy focaccia bread with tonnes of basil leaves on top. Followed up by a cold cut platter with impresses with a herb infused oil and delectable cuts including Salami Milano, the delectably smoked Parma Ham and the spicy Salami along with some parmesan cheese.
Piccini 2012 Chianti
A session at Sorrento, another Chianti I fell in love with. We start off with a Neapolitan pizza with a perfectly thin, soft crust and a in house tomato sauce with a load of Salami picanti, red onions and mozzarella. Salad is a classic tomato and mozzarella along with a load of rocket to give it the zing along with dashes of extra virgin olive oil. But it’s their artesan pastas that you’ll totally fall in love with. Try out the Agnolotti stuffed with farmed rabbit and slow cooked pork or the Fogotini stuffed with ricotta.
Bertani Vallpoicella 2014
Another red wine, but this time from the famous red wine district of North Eastern Italy, Veneto. It is a recipe made out of three grapes: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella. Served with a Mushroom Stuffed Tortellini and Brown Butter sauce, Chef Sandrolini allowed the warm, earthy flavours of the mushroom to shine through along with a medium bodied, slightly tannic wine. The garlic in the butter just heightens your taste sensation.
Tenuta Sant Antonio Scaia Corvina 2014
After trying out the Corvina in a recipe, I was lucky to try it out at the Pranzo Eccellente super lunch at Sorrento, Shangri-La’s Italian restaurant. For the mains you have a choice between a delicate lamb shank with some polenta and literally dissolves on your palate along with a Sole fish that brings all the flavours of the sea to your plate. But it’s their meal gelatos that totally take the prize. Although there are a plethora of flavours that you can try out including Belgian Dark chocolate and salted caramel, it is the Cream Cheese flavour that had me licking the last dredges out of the bowl.
Marchesi Antinori La Braccesca Bramasole Cortona Syrah 2012
From the hills of Tuscany, this explosive Shiraz was combined with an oven roasted pork and gnocchi
White Italian wines
Tenuta Di Nozzole Le Bruniche Chardonnay 2014
Although our original pairing was with a Fish Sale Peppe at an Italian dinner by Magandeep and Gurjit at Twist, Cyber Hub, it was the Crackling Spinach which created some magic. It totally took away the acidity of the Chardonnay and left in its place a sweet aftertaste.
Sparkling Italian wines
Luna Argenta Brut
We start off a creamy Parmesan Crème Brulee and white truffle oil combined with a sparkling Luna Argenta Brut from Italy. The rest of the menu proceeds with a warm Asparagus Veloute and a Tuna Tarter.
Villa Franciacorta Boke Rose 2011
The first course was a sparkling Villa Franciacorta Boke Rose 2011. “Do not even dare call this an Italian Champagne” quips Francesco Pensabene (Trade Commissioner of the Italian Embassy) from across the table. Although I had expected a sharp taste at first, but the mellowing effect of the Pinot Noir on the Chardonnay is quite prominent in this wine. We had this paired with a Roasted Chicken Salad and the way it allowed the meat to express itself had me floored.
Tell us about some of your experiences with Italian wines in the comments below.
