Cheese & Wine Pairings BRA These textured and tasty bottles are made by taking valpolicella superiore wine and leaving them in contact with the leftover partially dried skins from amarone or recioto production. Its hard, aromatic, and buttery-flavored style calls for bolder red wines softened a bit from aging. These sweet dessert wines have good acidity and a toothsome mouthfeel. After 23 to 24 months of aging in oak, the wine is finally bottled and sent out for release. In addition to the berry fruits of regular Valpolicella, Ripassos will have notes of blackberry, plum, cocoa, nutmeg, and espresso. To simplify the strategy, cheeses can be divided into six categories. 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. The modern wines, products of greater control and higher technology, often taste of vanilla from aging in new oak barrels. They pair nicely with burgers, grilled steaks,pasta with tomato sauce, or pizza. Everyday cheeses such as Pecorino and Parmesan are good options. The truffles did not jump to the front of the tongue but rather sang a quiet hymn behind the goaty tang. Vicky Wasik. 1. With such a wide range of styles, Valpolicella wines speak to every palate preference. Amarone is wonderful with braised meat dishes, like oxtail stew or bolognese. We've received your email address, and soon you will start getting exclusive offers and news from Wine Enthusiast. Another creamy, mildly sweet cheese is Buratta, a cows milk and comes from Italys southeast Puglia region. Kind of, but not really. Roquefort Cheese & Amarone Pairing Roquefort cheese is a flavourful blue cheese that is salty and flavorful, with notes of sweet burnt caramel and bitter almond. As a relatively light and appealing 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. 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. Amarone della Valpolicella will stand up to this cheese - both in flavour and aroma - without overwhelming any of the more subtle notes in the cheese and your pasta dish. For heavier Valpolicella, like Ripasso, you can start looking at steaks and thick braised meats. Hard, salty Pecorino Romano is produced from sheeps milk, with younger versions making a fine appetizer. Where the role of wine with cheese is usually to refresh as well as complement, here refreshment isnt the point. Its soft structure and rich fruit also make it pleasant to drink on its own. Rocca Sveva, 2014 - 2023 VinePair Inc. Made In NYC, calcareous, limestone- and clay-rich soils. Valpolicella is low in tannin and high in acidity so that it wont clash with the tomato sauce. Each cheese is an 8 ounce package (2 lbs total). However, it is also thin in flavour and will be crushed by heavier pasta and pizzas. 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. Enjoy it on its own with a delicate garnish of olive oil and seasoning or melted on top of a crispy, wood-fired pizza. Theyre funkier than bloomy cheeses, with gamy, often pleasantly pungent notes. Purchases made through links on this site do not affect the price you pay for products purchased. Sparkling wines: Brut Champagne, Prosecco, PECORINO SARDO It will be best when paired with lighter meats, sharp cheeses or earthy vegetable dishes. Fortunately, at a wine shop, and especially if you choose a Ripasso, there is perhaps less gamble with Valpolicella than most wines. Valpolicella - Italian Wine Region | Wine-Searcher Go to Main Italian Cheeses Page As we mentioned earlier, Valpolicella is a very versatile pairing for food. 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. Standard Valpolicella and Ripasso are best enjoyed within the first five years of their release. But Valpolicella comes in diverse forms from dry to sweet, including the rare sparkling sweet red called Recioto Spumante. A salty, dry pecorino seemed like the most obvious choice and Pecorino di Grotto worked admirably. 2. Valpolicella is light to medium-bodied, low in tannins and very high in acidity. Fortified/Dessert wines: Port, Dry Sherry Many are excellent to melt and perfect to slice. Cinsault; Pinot Noir . Many of the regular Valpolicella and Valpolicella Classico Superiore wines are now labeled Ripasso. Required fields are marked *, Wine and cheese are natural partners, and with hundreds of Italian options of both to pick from, we want to make, Traditional Mozzarella is made from cows milk, but this world-famous cheese can also come from buffalos, sheeps, or even goats milk. White wines: Pinot Grigio Check on some French wine and cheese Pairings, and find out for yourself. These are normally the most affordable of the Valpolicella wines, and they are good for everyday drinking. Are Valpolicella and Amarone the Same Thing? Lighter red wines pair with leaner cuts and red meats that are served closer to the raw form. Its hard, aromatic, and buttery-flavored style calls for b. Due to the many styles and designations of valpolicella, every expression will have its own unique flavor profile. 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. With more sugar and less water, the final wines have higher alcohol contents when vinified dry, generally around 15% to 16% ABV. Try it with a wine from the southern Campania region, where the cheese likely originated. The wine is also inexpensive. What wine goes with ham? They tend to be the richest and creamiest type of cheese, with a soft, spreadable texture. The only thing wrong with a breakfast burrito is that eating the whole thing at once can result in a "food coma.". 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. Think of lighter-bodied expressions of valpolicella (not ripasso) like your favorite pinot noirs or gamays, and pair them with poultry, charcuterie, or a variety of appetizers. 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. Don't make the mistake of forgetting about Northern Italian food, though. As with any wine and food pairing, there are a number of considerations, such as texture, acidity, fat and tannin. House of Cheese, Our Favorite Products & Producers, Random Fun! Some are fairly pungent and salty. Looking for something specific on GourmetCheeseDetective.com? 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. Some are sweeter and milder, but all pack a good deal of sharpness and tang. 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. Red wines: Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello, Lambrusco, Chianti Theyre not aged and have a mild, slightly tangy flavor. The complications of the Valpolicella family, unfortunately, defy simple explanation. Great ham-wines include Riesling, Moscato, Chenin Blanc, Ros, Lambrusco, Grenache, and Zinfandel. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Check out Di Brunos latest culinary discoveries, events, promotions, & more! Impressively, the estate only uses 40% of their grapes to make wine, which ensures that only the highest-quality fruit makes the cut. As a relatively light and appealing red wine, Valpolicella can be quite interchangeable with Beaujolais or Pinot Noir when it comes to food pairing. Black cherry, herbs, and spicy fruit dominate Valpolicella Classico, as does its high acidity. Beer & Cheese, News & Events, Recipes & Tips, Wine & Cheese. 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. In addition, Amarone della Valpolicella has a complex palate with notes of cherry, spices, such as cinnamon and cracked pepper, chocolate and almond. Wines to match different pasta sauces | Matching Food & Wine Gorgonzola hails from Italys northern Lombardy region, dating back to the 9th century. What could be better with cherry or strawberry pie? Sweet wines such as Sauternes or late-harvest Riesling complement the flavor without overpowering it. History states it was initially made by Cistercian monks. Valpolicella Classico complements the pasta sauce and keeps your mouth refreshed in between bites. The more you pursue your cheese sampling - the more you will learn about the versatility of both cheese and wine. White wines: Sicilian Chardonnay, RICOTTA SALATA The best wine pairings for spaghetti puttanesca. Try drinking a powerful Barolo or Brunello di Montalcino with a little bottle age to match the boldness of this beloved Italian cheese. Additional Sauvignon Blanc food pairing ideas: Green vegetables Chicken Goat and sheep cheeses Riesling and Pad Thai Rieslings feature fresh floral aromas and fruity notes of apple, peach and pear. Wine with beef with mushroom and onion gravy, Wine with ground turkey or turkey burgers. Also from Lombardy, creamy, buttery, and sweeter Mascarpone has a slightly lemon-like quality, making it popular in cheesecake and tiramisu recipes. By law Valpolicella DOC wines must be made using 45-95% Corvina. If youre looking for a high-quality, budget-friendly option to explore the world of valpolicella ripasso, this bottle is a great place to start. An extremely sweet dessert wine, Recioto is actually the oldest style in Valpolicella. The best food matches for Amarone | Matching Food & Wine 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. Valpolicella Rosso is the ultimate pairing with pizza as the wine tastes a little bit like pizza. A plate of local cheeses, blue cheeses, and dried fruits with a glass of Recioto is one of the finer things in life. Recioto is an absolute success with tiramisu, chocolate, and cakes. Try them with Beef and Venison Tartare, Beef Pho, and Lamb Gyros. Valpolicella Classico is also surprisingly delicious with Lemon Chicken served over a bed of warm pasta. selections. Recioto is an absolute success with tiramisu, chocolate, and cakes.. Strong cheeses including mature parmegiano reggiano (parmesan), Ubriaco all'Amarone (cheese matured in amarone grape must), Gorgonzola and Erborinato Veja (another blue cheese) Other . Saluti! Valpolicella Superiore is Valpolicella Classico that has been aged at least one year in wood, and is a minimum of 12% alcohol. Light-bodied, dry, unoaked Chardonnay (Chablis). Follow The Gourmet Cheese Detective on Twitter: @The_Cheese_Tec. Cheese for Valpolicella and Montepulciano | Blog - Di Bruno Finally, with Valpolicella Classico being inexpensive, its a fantastic choice to pair up with pasta when you want to relax and not overthink things. While, for main dishes that include Mascarpone, try a lively sparkling wine like Prosecco. If you require a red wine to bring to an Easter Brunch where ham is being served, Valpolicella Classico is an ideal choice as it is incredibly food-friendly. - G.C.D. Its vineyards are farmed all organically and biodynamically, and each site-specific cuve is produced from a particular vineyard site. Pastisade de caval (horsemeat stew) Tripe. Valpolicella Classico & Food Pairings - (with reasons!) - Drink & Pair Red wines: Chianti, Brunello, Barbera d'Alba, California Merlot Flavors of plum and sour cherries gave way to soft tannins on the finish. The wine grew more tannic and fruity while the Truffle Tremor tasted more goaty. 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. Traditional pairings from the region. Stay connected for new Di Bruno products, promotions, sales & more! They have a bit more body and deeper flavours than regular Valpolicella and can stand up to heavier foods. Valpolicella's slightly tannic, acidic flavours make it the ideal companion to foods such as steak, mushroom and aged cheese. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. Risotto all'amarone (a favourite of the River Caf) Beef braised in amarone. Let us know what wine and cheese youre pairing together by leaving a comment below. The softer, more mild is Dolce, and the more intense, crumbly, and tangier is Piccante. The wine ferments in stainless steel tanks and ages for 18 months (12 in oak) prior to bottling. Based in the heart of the valpolicella wine-producing region of northern Italy, Buglioni organically farms all 46 hectares of its vines, all of which are dedicated to regionally indigenous varieties. Think along the lines of lighter meats and seafood chicken, turkey, salmon or tuna are all solid choices for Valpolicella. Ripasso is a beautiful dark ruby color with rich spicy aromas featuring a hint of black pepper and calm, sweet cherries. This post is the first in our two-part Valpolicella and Amarone Series. (800) 599-8478 ext 2 An assortment of four cheeses that are typical of four distinct regions of Italy: Provolone Piccante, Grana Padano Stravecchio, Mountain Gorgonzola and Pecorino Toscano. 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. Get our best cocktail recipes, tips, and more when you sign up for our newsletter. For a silky, fuller-bodied expression of valpolicella ripasso, check out this mouth-coating expression. Valpolicella Rosso is Valpolicella that has been produced outside of this original boundary. As you enter the world of Amarone and Ripasso, you can look for more seasoned cheeses, such as a well-aged Parmesan, Bra Duro, or Bitto Storico, pairing full-bodied and intense flavours with each other. Click the image to order today! White wines: Chardonnays from California and Northern Italy, California Pinot Blanc, Red wines: California Cabernet Sauvignon Instead of forming a new taste together, the flavors of the wine and cheese bounced off each other. Mark Your Calendars: Magnum Marathon Returns May 9 with Large-Format Wine Savings, Perfect Wines to Gift for Mothers Day and Their Flower Pairings, 5 Lesser-Known Wine Regions Making Excellent and Affordable Wines. With its intense sour cherry and dark chocolate profile, Valpolicella brings all the charming flavours of a bold red, with a lighter body. The softer, more mild is Dolce, and the more intense, crumbly, and tangier is Piccante. Being low in alcohol, a glass of Valpolicella Classico wont get you drunk at lunchtime either.