With their motto for “La Dolce Vita,” we can’t blame you for a desire to live like an Italian—especially when it comes to entertaining. Withslow-cooked dishesmade with love, a focus on seasonal ingredients, and of course some of the world’s best wines, anItalian dinner partyis an occasion to remember. When the weather warms up, we love to pair a variety ofItalian wineswith each course for an at-home celebration showcasing recipes that highlight and complement each varietal. Here are some simple tips and tasting notes to help you host an extra-special evening for friends and family.
Say Cheers to Your Evening with Bubbles and Seasonal Bites
As your guests arrive and are mingling in your kitchen (or outside if you’re lucky enough to have a backyard), kick things off with a glass of sparkling wine. Franciacorta, made in the region of the same name—and one of Italy’s most famous for sparkling wines—is made from the same varietals as Champagne in France and is grown on similar soils. This straw-yellow wine has fine effervescence with hints of bread crust enriched with citrus and nuts. Its light, savory flavors are a treat paired with a seasonal crostini withpeas, mint, and Parmigiano-Reggianoor afreshcapresesalad with figs andburrata.
Pair a Luxurious Pasta Course With a Crisp Italian White
When it’s time to sit for your first course, pasta is always a winning bet. This delectably creamybucatini carbonarauses lemon as a foil for the salty richness of the sauce. And with a dish that packs such a punch of flavor, you need a wine that commands its own presence at the table. Try a Cortese from Piedmont—one of Italy’s driest white varietals, with notes of crisp apple, peach, and honeydew and lime aromas. Another fine Italian wine rapidly becoming one of today’s “it” varieties, the aromatic Grillo, from Sicily, offers notes of passion fruit, grapefruit, and herbal sensations reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc and would be a stellar choice alongside a light seafood starter likegrilled clams with lemon-shallot butterif you prefer to steer clear of carbs.
Try a Lighter Red Varietal That Can Stand Up to a Meaty Main Course
Now for the main event. Don’t be afraid to grill a larger cut of meat the whole table can share, paired with large-format sides and salads—it’s a style of eating well known to the Italian table. We love to grill up aporterhouse steakand serve everyone hearty slices alongside a lightheirloom tomato saladand the crunchy, cheesy bite ofcacio e pepe potatoes. Here’s the trick for a summer-style feast: You don’t have to pair a super-heavy red wine just because steak tops the menu. Instead, try a Nebbiolo from northwestern Italy. As one of the country’s most renowned grapes, it is the single ingredient in the famous appellations of Barolo or Barbaresco. Lovers of Pinot Noir will appreciate its delicate rose-like aroma and flavors of cherry, rich leather, and anise spice. Prefer something more full-bodied? The earthy and rustic Aglianico—with notes of spicy plum, cherry, and leather—is prevalent in Italy’s south, particularly in the Campania and Basilicata regions, and will also naturally complement your steak. Buon appetito!
For more information about the incredible variety of Italian wines available, please visitextraordinaryitalianwine.us.
