Food
A Guide for Pairing Wine With Italian Food
Italian food is an Australian favourite and with its huge variety and scale, the food and wine matching options are endless. Learn how to expertly pair wine with italian food with our food and wine matching guide.
Medium weight, smooth and rustic, Mediterranean varieties are a natural choice, but as you'll discover in this handy guide featuring our Tasting Panellist's Italian recipe picks, you're guaranteed to find a way to pair your favourite wine styles with Italian cuisine.
LIGHT AND AROMATIC WHITES
One of Dave Mavor's favourite recipe matches for light and aromatic whites is pea, mint and ricotta risotto . As he says, "A dry white with a backbone of acidity will offset the creaminess of the rice. Add in the subtle herbaceous notes of the peas and mint and this dish screams for a Sauv Blanc or in the Italian theme, a Pinot Grigio .'
MATCHING MEDIUM WEIGHT AND TEXTURAL WHITE WINES
When Nicole Gow is entertaining, one of her go-to Italian favourites is fresh figs with blue cheese and prosciutto . "With the strong, contrasting flavours of the sweet figs, powerful blue cheese and salty, gamey prosciutto", she describes, "you need a medium weight, textural wine. Fiano or Arneis are great, but so are Verdelho and modern Chardonnay ."
LIGHT TO MEDIUM WEIGHT AND SAVOURY RED WINE PAIRING
Adam Walls loves relaxing on the weekend with a casual meal of bocconcini, cherry tomato and basil pizza . "The key to matching wine with this classic pizza", he says, "is to stick with the light to medium weight varieties. In the Italian styles, choose Sangiovese or Nero d'Avola , or alternatively, try Merlot or Pinot Noir ."
Most Aussie homes have classic Bolognese on regular rotation and Trent Mannell's is no different. When it comes to wine matches, he explains, "The braised meat, acidic tomato and herbs call for a richer, fuller bodied red. Shiraz or a Cabernet Merlot blend would be perfect. If you want to stay on the Italian theme, open a bottle of Barbera ."
If you're new to Italian varieties, enjoy Adam Walls' overview of the standout Australian expressions , find out more about Fiano and Vermentino, or if you're planning an Italian-themed celebration, why not start it with Prosecco?
And if you're looking to expand your list of Italian food favourites, Giovanni Pilu introduces the unique cuisine of Sardinia.
One of the best things about Italian food is that it's fuss-free and perfect for any occasion. And in terms of wine, that's exactly what we deliver in our Cellar Door Releases - join today to start an exciting new wine journey!
DINE WITH US
Join us on a flavour filled Italian style journey bringing together an exceptional stable of Redbank wines, brilliantly matched to an Italian menu. For dates and tickets, visit our events page.