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WHAT TO DRINK WITH ITALIAN DISHES

374 Views Posted on: 2024-05-30
 

Our Top 3 Wine Pairings with Lesser-Known Italian Dishes

Here's why we suggest three perfect wines to pair with three lesser-known Italian dishes.

1) With Cacciucco (Fish Soup)

Let’s start with an appetizer (primo piatto in Italy): cacciucco, a fish soup originating from the city of Livorno in Tuscany. Once called the "poor man's soup," this dish is said to have appeared in the 16th century to feed the children of the port. Made with a variety of fish and seafood (shrimp, octopus, squid, lobster, clams) and slices of bread soaked in a red wine sauce, cacciucco is now one of Tuscany's trendiest dishes.

Pairing a wine with cacciucco can be challenging due to its rich composition. We recommend choosing a crisp, mineral dry white wine that echoes the briny flavor of the seafood. However, the wine should also be structured and fruity enough to match the red wine marinade. Opt for a Burgundy wine from the Meursault appellation or a Rhône Valley wine from the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation.

2) With Arancini with Mozzarella

Perhaps you’ve already had the chance to try these small breaded rice fritters in an Italian restaurant. Arancini are true stars of Italian cuisine and the favorite snack of Sicilians. The name "arancini" comes from the word for orange ("arancione" in Italian) due to their round shape and color, which is somewhat similar to the fruit.

The traditional arancini recipe includes rice, saffron, and Bolognese sauce, but one variation involves adding mozzarella, much to the delight of our taste buds! To accompany them, nothing beats a Mediterranean pairing. Go for a young, fruity dry white wine from Corsica or a rosé from the Côtes de Provence appellation.

3) With Zuppa Inglese

Made of sponge cake, cocoa cream, and custard, "zuppa inglese," which means "English soup," is inspired by the English dessert "trifle" and is said to have been popularized in the 15th century by an Italian diplomat returning from a trip to London. Now very famous in Bologna and Ferrara, zuppa inglese differs from the English trifle, as custard replaces whipped cream, and the Italians have added maraschino, a cherry liqueur similar to kirsch.

For this dessert, which combines sweetness, crunch, and richness, it’s best to choose a rich and sweet wine without any tannins. Red wines are excluded in favor of white wines. An Alsace wine from the "vendanges tardives" category in the Gewurztraminer appellation or a sweet wine from the Southwest of France in the Pacherenc-du-Vic-Bilh appellation would be perfect.