We all have friends who can host a party. They know how to bring a group of friends together and they know how to stack a menu! They know which flavor combinations are appealing. They know the perfect appetizers to put on the table, and they know which dishes to serve in any season. Most importantly, they know which beverages go with those dishes. Pairing wine is a learned skill that exudes both sophistication and grace. Authentic Italian and European wines go down like velvet and are rich in flavor. We are going to provide a few tips and culinary combinations so you and your guests go “molto bene” at the first sips and bites.
Cab Sav & Pinot Noir
Rich and heavy-bodied - Cabernet Sauvignon has a strong finish that seems to carry weight to the taste buds. Pinot Noir is similar to Cabernet Sauvignon. Pinot Noir is a dry wine lighter than Cab Sav, but Pinot Noir is typically heavy in flavor as it is leathery, and earthy, creating intense notes. These wines can be overwhelming and need to be paired with foods just as bold and strong such as tomato-based dishes.
Pasta tends to be heavy and filling, and when you consume a glass of bold red with a ziti, it can be the beginning of a beautiful love affair. Other dishes that go well with these wines are steaks, cheeses, and white pasta sauces.
Chianti
Before you serve spaghetti and meatballs or shrimp scampi, a charcuterie board featuring prosciutto, gouda cheese, and an array of small bites is ideal if you plan to serve a Chianti. Perhaps you’ll provide a simple plate of greens with an Italian dressing. Small bites like these are perfect for the luscious and divine Chianti.
Dry and acidic, this red wine originated in the Chianti region of Tuscany and is a perfect red to start the night off.
White Wines
We love red wines, but for pragmatic reasons - you may want to stray away from the reds. A room full of people can create a clumsy environment. When red wine spills, it can create disaster. Dresses get ruined. Carpet cleaners must be called. Stains can create irreversible damage.
If you are serving light snacks and sweet greens before your Mediterranean dinner, then Sauvignon Blanc is the way to go. Its light and slightly acidic body is ideal when paired with a Caesar salad or a spread of cheese and crackers.
When serving pasta, pair it with a chardonnay, a notorious crowd-pleaser. This dry wine pairs well with nearly every Italian dish as it is a chameleon wine. If you feel unsure of which wine to get, Chardonnay is always the safest bet.
N/A Combinations
This one goes out to our Non-Alcoholic angels! It’s quite simple to find a grocery store or market that sells N/A renditions of these wines, and it can be just as fun concocting a heavenly mocktail.
Pasta is a dish that is incredibly homey and warm. When serving something like ziti or gnocchi, we suggest crafting a mocktail with smoky, woody, and leathery notes such as thyme or cinnamon. We also suggest a mocktail that’s acidic or crafted from lemon or orange citrus. Making a non-alcoholic sangria is the perfect pairing for a salad.
These building blocks are an excellent foundation for you to impress your guests. Not only will you create a sophisticated environment for your guests, but you will create a chic taste experience for them. By the end of the night your closest friends will ask you, “How did you become a sommelier overnight?”
Put your Mediterranean travel knowledge to good use and let the good times begin!
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