Tag Archive for: wine pairing

Pairing Wine with Pizza

An Essential Guide to Pairing Italian Dishes with Wine

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Italy has a long and proud culinary tradition. And, of course, no Italian meal would be complete without the perfect glass of wine! But what kind of wine pairs best with different Italian dishes? Read on for an essential guide to pairing Italian dishes with the perfect bottle of vino. 

Pairing Wine With Pasta Dishes 

You can’t go wrong with a nice Chianti with fresh pasta dishes. This full-bodied red has bold fruit flavors that cut nicely through the richness of pasta sauces like carbonara or bolognese. For lighter sauces like pesto or anything creamy, try a Soave or Pinot Grigio. These white wines have subtle citrus notes that bring out the flavor in your dish without overpowering it. Another great option is a sparkling Prosecco. Its light bubbles make it the perfect accompaniment to creamy dishes like risotto.

Pairing Wine with PizzaPairing Wine With Pizza 

A classic Margherita pizza is best paired with a light red wine like a Barbera or Valpolicella. The tart acidity in these wines complements the tomato sauce while cutting through any heavy cheese topping. If you’re having something more elaborate, like a pepperoni pizza, try going for something more full-bodied such as Amarone Valpolicella Classico. This robust red has hints of dark cherry and plum that are sure to bring out the flavor in your favorite pizza toppings! 

Pairing Wine With Seafood 

For seafood dishes like calamari fritti or spaghetti alle vongole, you’ll want something light and refreshing, such as Pinot Grigio or Vermentino di Gallura DOCG from Sardinia. These crisp whites have bright fruit flavors and delicate herbal notes that make them perfect for highlighting the delicate flavors in fish dishes. For heartier seafood recipes like cozze al Sugo di Pomodoro (mussels in tomato sauce), you can pair them with an aromatic white such as Gavi di Gavi or Arneis from Piedmont—the bright acidity lifts all the complex flavors in this dish!

Picking out just the right wine for your Italian meal doesn’t have to be difficult – remember to pick something that complements your dish rather than overpowering it. Red wines typically pair well with heavier pasta and pizza dishes, while light whites are better suited for seafood recipes.

For an outstanding culinary and wine experience, reserve a table at Trattoria Toscana in Temecula, CA. Chef Pietro Cinus, a native of Italy’s Sardinia Island, creates unique Italian dishes paired with wines from his homeland.

 

Do you want to take your wine-pairing skills to the next level?

Make a reservation for one of our Wine Pairing Dinners. Each event features Chef Pietro and Italian wine expert Petra Belliti, who guides you through a delicious meal and teaches you the essential techniques for expertly pairing wine with Italian dishes.

Whether you’re an experienced sommelier or just starting to explore the world of wine, this guide can help you find the perfect bottle of vino to complement your favorite Italian dishes. Buon appetite!

Wine Pairing

5 Essential Tips For Wine Tastings

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Wine tastings and pairings are a great way to enhance your enjoyment of wine and food. But if you’re new to the world of wine pairings, it can be daunting. Luckily, we have thousands of years of experience to draw on when it comes to matching wine and food. Here are five essential tips to get the most out of your next wine-pairing event at the famed Trattoria Toscana.

1. Start With the Basics

Pairing wine and food is all about finding flavors that complement each other. That can mean finding wines that share similar tastes to the dish you’re eating, or it can mean finding wines that provide a contrast to the flavors in the dish. Either way, the goal is to create a balance of flavors that enhances your overall dining experience.

2. Consider the Weight of the Dish

The weight of a dish refers to how heavy or light it is. A light dish will have delicate flavors, while a heavier dish will have bolder flavors. You’ll want to match the wine’s weight to the dish’s weight. A light wine will pair well with a light dish, and a heavier wine will pair well with a more decadent dish.

At Trattoria Toscana, our menu features a variety of dishes with different weights, so we can create an assortment of wine-pairing events to satisfy every palate. So, attend more than one of our wine-pairing events for a truly comprehensive experience!

3. Think About the Texture of the Dish

Our authentic Italian dishes are known for their rich, complex textures – making them the per

fect canvas for exploring different wine pairings. The texture of a dish refers to how it feels in your mouth. A dish with a creamy texture will pair well with a wine with high acidity, while a dish with a crunchy texture will pair well w

ith a wine with high tannins.

4. Consider the Temperature of the Dish

Wine Pairing

The temperature of a dish can also affect how it pairs with wine. A spicy dish will bring out the sweetness in a wine, while a cool dish will accentuate the acidity in a wine. The temperature of the wine itself can also affect its flavor. You typically serve red wines at room temperature or slightly higher, while they serve white wines chilled but not so cold that it reduces the aroma.

We know our wine in Temecula Valley—with nearly 50 local wineries, it’s hard not to. Ask your Trattoria Toscana host if you’re unsure about something or want to know more about a particular wine! They’ll be more than happy to help you out.

5. Don’t Forget About Dessert!

Wine tastings andpairings are not just for savory dishes. Sweet desserts can be enhanced by pairing them with the right wine. A fruity dessert will pair well with sweet wine, while a chocolate dessert matches up nicely with red wine.

 

Are you ready for your next wine tasting pairing? Trattoria Toscana’s next event is on November 20, 2022. Visit our website for more information and to make your reservation today! 

 

We hope to see you soon!