There is nothing new about pairing Wine and Cheeses; even I have shared a couple of must-try recommendations. However, I have made a twist to recommend some wine and cheese pairings that are 100% Italian. I invite you to indulge in flavorful and sophisticated Italian Wine and Cheese Pairings.
Indulge in Flavorful and Sophisticated Italian Wine and Cheese Pairings
Tuscany is a well-known region for producing Chianti. However, my dear wine lover, let me tell you that the real trick to enjoy Tuscany at its best is to find a couple of good producers. Stick to them and watch how their vintages evolve. Hence, I want to introduce you to Marchesi Frescobaldi.
On the one hand, Marchesi Frescobaldi embodies the essence of Tuscany from 1300, its extraordinary vocation for viticulture, and the diversity of its territories. Moreover, Frescobaldi’s uniqueness lies in the variety of its estates and wines, which express a kaleidoscope of aromas and sensations from each terroir.
On the other hand, Cheese is also essential to Italians. I can assure you that ingredients will also be essential for you after you try these pairings.
It has come to my attention that the Slow Food Movement started in Italy, focusing on creating the most authentic and preserving the tradition of their regional foods produced with the most high-quality ingredients. Hence, for this pairing, I chose Monti Trentini Cheeses, a family-run business founded in 1925 in the Trentino Region of Italy, because their products are 100% Italian, and they have a long tradition of producing mountain cheeses. The entire supply chain and production takes place in Italy’s legendary Dolomite Mountains region, where cows eat grass and flowers and drink spring water, producing high-quality milk with a unique herb taste that makes the Cheese naturally more yellow and delicious.
Monti Trentini Asiago PDO Fresco + Nipozzano Riserva
The Asiago PDO Fresco is a type of fresh Cheese with a mild and pleasant taste. It has a sweet and slightly acidic flavor, a soft and delicate texture, and a pale straw-like color. Italian milk from cows grazing on the Asiago plateau, in addition to salt and rennet are the only ingredients on this cheese. The agging last for at least 30 days on wooden boards. The Asiago Fresco’s flavor profile pairs well with Nipozzano Riserva. Nipozzano Riserva is an emblematic wine from a historic Frescobaldi estate located northeast of Florence. Nipozzano Riserva is a symbol of the Tuscan winemaking tradition. This wine has a distinctive aroma of berries, cherries, and violets. It is followed by a spicy undertone of pepper and a fresh. It also showcases a fruity minerality, making it a unique and delightful option.
Monti Trentini Lagorai + Nipozzano Riserva
Monti Trentini Lagorai is a Special Cheese aged for at least 40 days and has a fascinating history. Lagorai has its name after a wild mountain range in Italy called the Dolomites. The recipe for this cheese was discovered here engraved on an old cheesemaking tool in a mountain hut. The cheese itself is delicious and has a soft, stretchy texture due to how it’s made. It’s usually a pale yellow or white color with holes in it. Whole milk is the main ingredient on this cheese and goes well with meats and other appetizers. You can also use it in a variety of regional dishes. Nipozzano Riserva is the perfect pairing for Lagorai. It has a medium body and rounded notes that cuts through this cheese’s creaminess and complements the earthy notes.
Monti Trentini Caciotta Black Truffle + Nipozzano Vecchie Viti
The Caciotta Black Truffle is a premium, fine Cheese produced with real black summer Italian truffle pieces. The sweet taste of milk perfectly combines with the intense, aromatic truffle taste. The Caciotta Black Truffle pairs beautifully with tannic red wines like Nipozzano Vecchie Viti Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG. Nipozzano Vecchie Viti comes from the oldest vines at Castello Nipozzano. This wine is rich and complex with fruity notes of berries and floral notes of violet, with a well-balanced, generous body and elegant mineral finish.
Monti Trentini Sharp Provolone + Nipozzano Vecchie Viti
Unlike your grocery market Provolone, Monti Trentini Sharp Provolone is produced with goat rennet and aged for at least three months. The flavor profile is firm and slightly spicy taste.
The Consortium of Provolone Valpadana PDO confirms that to make Sharps Provolone only milk collected exclusively in the protected areas of origin outlined is the main ingredient.
Monti Trentini Sharp Provolone is excellent in many recipes, such as quesadillas, enchiladas, and hot subs, since it melts well. It pairs exquisitely with Nipozzano Vecchie Viti . The rich and complex flavor and a generous body complements the Sharp Provolone.
