The truffles did not jump to the front of the tongue but rather sang a quiet hymn behind the goaty tang. The no-nonsense guide to cheese for the gourmet, the gourmand, and even the gourmoo! They tend to have nutty and complex savory notes. Red wines: Sicilian reds like Nero d'Avola (similar to a Shiraz) Valpolicella wines come from the province of Verona, located east of Lake Garda and in the overarching region of Veneto in northern Italy. supermarket aisles of wines don't despair. Other fresh cheeses: Mascarpone, Stracchino, Boursin, very young Selles sur Cher, Other bloomy cheeses: Chaource, Coeur du Neufchatel (both cow), Crottin de Chavignol (goat), Other washed-rind cheeses: Langres, Chaume, Livarot, Munster, Vacherin de Mont dOr, Other semi-soft cheeses: Provolone, Edam, Morbier, Mimolette, Other hard cheeses: Manchego, Grana Padano, Beaufort, Cantal, Emmenthal, Sbrinz, Comt, Other blue cheeses: Fourme dAmbert, Bleu dAuvergne, Cabrales, Casa S 2021 Maximus Cuve Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley), Matchbook 2020 The Herdsman CAB Giguiere Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Dunnigan Hills), Tekstura 2021 Redford-Wetle Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Eola-Amity Hills), Rutherford Ranch 2019 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley), Rutherford Ranch 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley), Rombauer 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley), Rombauer 2020 Twin Rivers Single Vineyard Zinfandel (El Dorado), Clos de Napa 2020 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley), Whitehall Lane 2019 Leonardini Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley), Roots Run Deep Winery 2020 Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa County), Viberti 2021 Filebasse Chardonnay (Piemonte), Bodegas Bianchi 2019 IV Generacin Single Block Gran Malbec (Los Chacayes), Daou 2020 Soul of a Lion Cabernet Sauvignon (Adelaida District), Morgan 2021 Highland Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands), Samuel Louis Smith 2021 Escolle Vineyard Gamay Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands), Gmez de Segura 2018 Finca Ratn Reserva (Rioja), Vias Leizaola 2019 Caminos de Sacramento (Rioja), Casa Primicia 2018 Carravalseca Crianza (Rioja), Infinito 2020 Winemaker's Selection Malbec (Mendoza), David Paige 2021 RPG Vineyard Pinot Blanc (Eola-Amity Hills), Castle Rock 2021 Pinot Noir (Mendocino County), Middleridge 2021 Beshke Family Pinot Noir (Palos Verdes Peninsula), Castle Rock 2021 Cuve Pinot Noir (California), By continuing to use our Services and/or submitting the above information, you agree to our use of cookies and the terms of our NV for young cheese, vintage for riper, more pungent cheeses). A simple pasta isnt going to be overly complicated in flavour. 2009-2023 Hello Vino, Inc. All rights reserved. Thus a lighter red that is refreshing in acidity is all you need. High in acidity, Valpolicella can bring dry chicken back from the grave as this fresh and youthful wine offers plenty of refreshing flavours. Tannin and Tomato sauce do not mix, as the sauce makes the tannin taste like tin. Ripasso is a beautiful dark ruby color with rich spicy aromas featuring a hint of black pepper and calm, sweet cherries. Noble Rot sweet wines (Sauternes, Barsac, Monbazillac, Riesling Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese, Quarts de Chaume) for sharp, salty cheese, Dessert wines from dried grapes (Vin Santo, Juranon, Recioto de Soave), Late-harvest wines (Riesling Sptlese or Gewurztraminer Vendanges Tardives) for cheeses not overtly pungent, Sweet, fortified reds (Vintage Port, LBV Port, Maury, Banyuls), Alpine white wines (Swiss Chasselas, Chignin, Jacqres, Arbois), Crisp, dry, light-bodied white wines (Muscadet, Chablis, Pinot Blanc), Light, fresh, crunchy wines (young Pinot Noir, Gamay, Mondeuse, Zweigelt). We tasted half the store trying to find another type of cheese that would work well. Produced using the pressed skins of the regions famed amarone wine, this rich and complex expression of valpolicella provides an extra punch of a flavor with every sip. Sparkling wines: Brut Champagne, Prosecco, PECORINO SARDO Great food pairings include meaty dishes, pasta, risotto, cheese, and many more. Try it with an antipasto plate of prosciutto, soft blue. We recommend a stone fruit- and honey-scented Fiano di Avellino. This is Italian jug wine, the kind you get for 3 or 4 Euros (per box, not bottle) at the market in Italy. Of the four styles of Valpolicella wines, two have aging power and two are ready to drink in youth. The term Classico refers to the fact that these wines are grown in a section of the Valpolicella region that is historically recognized for better quality. You sip the wine, try a bite of cheese, taking your time, going back and forth. Red meats, in the form of stracotto, braised beef and all slow-cooked dishes find their ideal contrast in Amarone with its high alcohol content and pliant tannins. Valpolicella is a good alternative to Pinot Noir or Beaujolais, and pairs well with poultry, salmon, seafood stew, and grilled vegetables. She has a background as a wine buyer and consultant. Werlin says that one simple rule is to be aware is acidity. What wine goes with ham? Go to Pairing American Cheeses with Wine. Gorgonzola hails from Italys northern Lombardy region, dating back to the 9th century. Among the further complications, any of the ostensibly dry Valpolicella wines can have some detectable sugar, and any of them, dry or sweet, may be made in a traditional or modern style or in between. 1. Fuller-bodied ripasso expressions will show exceptionally well alongside roasted meats, burgers, and hearty vegetarian stews. Where the role of wine with cheese is usually to refresh as well as complement, here refreshment isnt the point. Fortunately, at a wine shop, and especially if you choose a Ripasso, there is perhaps less gamble with Valpolicella than most wines. Light-bodied, dry, unoaked Chardonnay (Chablis). Grilled vegetables are always a good choice umami and smoky flavours are desirable. Regardless of style or designation, these wines are generally always best enjoyed slightly chilled. Its vineyards are farmed all organically and biodynamically, and each site-specific cuve is produced from a particular vineyard site. Lively, vibrant Valpolicella is redolent of refreshing sour cherry and aromatic herbs, and, like good Beaujolais, benefits from a slight chill. Valpolicella Classico is a blended Italian red wine meant for everyday drinking. A glass of Amarone might make an excellent digestif, for example. Lighter Red Wines. Young Sauvignon Blanc from Loire or a newly released Provence ros will work beautifully. Copyright 2011-2023 by The Gourmet Cheese DetectiveAll rights reserved. This light-bodied wine pairs well with the exotic spices you might find in Indian or Thai dishes. Don't make the mistake of forgetting about Northern Italian food, though. Yet in my tastings, the contrast of cheese and wine was so great that the flavors of the particular cheese had a limited effect on the combination with the wine. "Often the most magical pairings with sweet wines are cheeses that are in contrast to the sweetness of the wine," says Peterson. These two potentially great wines are perhaps best drunk on their own; they arent easily matched with food, apart from a little Parmigiano. Fortified/Dessert wines: Sauternes (Semillon), RAGUSANO And while Pecorino di Grotto and Pecorino di Pienza tasted worthy with the Montepulciano, Abbaye du Belloc offered the most rewarding flavors. A plate of local cheeses, blue cheeses, and dried fruits with a glass of Recioto is one of the finer things in life. Here's a quick pairing guide: Victory for Valpolicella Have you tried Valpolicella before? Valpolicella is a famous wine region in Verona, Italy, home to a renowned red wine that is also called Valpolicella. Valpolicella Food Pairing Valpolicella (vahl-pawl-eh-CHEHL-lah): A red blend with black cherry, dried fruit & licorice. Valpolicella may just be your next favorite wineand best of all, theres an expression for every style of wine drinker out there. These dry, versatile reds pair with a variety of dishes and are great company throughout a meal. This is what to know about the versatile Italian red wine, plus five bottles to try. The wines bright, palate-coating acidity leads to a refreshing and lingering finish. What Are Good Food Pairings with Valpolicella? Click on the image to order your assortment today! Many of the regular Valpolicella and Valpolicella Classico Superiore wines are now labeled Ripasso. Close in style to Parmigiano-Reggiano and also originating from northern Italy, Grana Padano is an unpasteurized cows milk cheese. Valpolicella ripasso is one of the most popular styles of valpolicella wine. Impressively, the estate only uses 40% of their grapes to make wine, which ensures that only the highest-quality fruit makes the cut. For heavier dishes in these categories, youll want to select a Valpolicella Superiore. Think along the lines of lighter meats and seafood chicken, turkey, salmon or tuna are all solid choices for Valpolicella. For Valpolicella Ripasso or heavily structured Amarone wines, the best temperature to serve Amarone is around 63F (17C). Red wines: Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello, Lambrusco, Chianti Valpolicella Ripasso pairs best with Grilled Steak, Mushroom Risotto, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Duck, Braised Lamb, and Venison. Enjoy it on its own with a delicate garnish of olive oil and seasoning or melted on top of a crispy, wood-fired pizza. Fontina is produced from cows milk in the far northwestern corner of Italy called Valle dAosta. As with any wine and food pairing, there are a number of considerations, such as texture, acidity, fat and tannin. If you have a more mature one, grate it over pasta and meat dishes, especially those of Roman cuisine. -G.C.D. The wine grew more tannic and fruity while the Truffle Tremor tasted more goaty. Red wines: Chianti, Merlot, PECORINO TOSCANO document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Check out Di Brunos latest culinary discoveries, events, promotions, & more! Sparkling wines: Prosecco, ROBIOLA DI ROCCAVERANO These wines have very low alcohol content and often have a slight spritz, which helps counteract the smokiness of the cheese. Valpolicella Classico Red wine and Chicken seems like an odd food and wine pairing, however, Valpolicella is light, fruity and acidic. For these desserts, a light and. With hot spicy sauces such as arrabbiatta, aglio olio e peperoncino (garlic, oil and chilli) and puttanesca (anchovies, capers and olives) try either a sharply flavoured dry white wine or a rustic Italian red: a Primitivo or Sicilian red, Zinfandel or Valpolicella Ripasso. The blend is most often dominated by the corvina grape variety, with the local varieties of rondinella and molinara playing backup roles; rosignola, sangiovese, barbera, bigolona, and negrara are also permitted as well. Its hard, aromatic, and buttery-flavored style calls for b. Today, this blue- or green-veined cheese comes in two main styles. They have a bit more body and deeper flavours than regular Valpolicella and can stand up to heavier foods. The valley also produces white wines - both dry and sweet - under the various Soave titles. Here are a few pairing ideas for best food with Valpolicella: If you'd like find what wine goes with what food, you can use the Hello Vino tool on this page, or view our large list of food and wine pairing suggestions. If you have a local wine shop with a friendly, helpful and knowledgeable owner, by all means take advantage of his expertise. For Amarone, some producers today aim at the legal minimum of 14 percent alcohol, while more tradition-minded ones employ sweeter grapes and allow Amarone to rise naturally to 15 and 16 percent alcohol or more. Pastisade de caval (horsemeat stew) Tripe. The creamy goatiness of Carre du Berry worked until its herbs dominated the conclusion. Rocca Sveva, 2014 - 2023 VinePair Inc. Made In NYC, calcareous, limestone- and clay-rich soils. Share your experiences in the comments below. Red wines: Lambrusco, Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello, MOZZARELLA DI BUFALA CAMPANA This will benefit from crisp white or ros wine pairings to balance out its fresh, mildly sweet character. Restrained, dry, light-bodied Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre), Dry, young Riesling, dry Chenin Blanc (Vouvray), Grner Veltliner, Aged Hunter Valley Semillon or textured white Rhne varieties (Marsanne and Roussanne, specifically Chteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc) for ripe, pungent cheese, Dry and light-bodied wines that are young, fruity and unoaked (Pinot Noir, Dolcetto, Barbera, Gamay, Cabernet Franc from the Loire, Bonarda, Menca, Zweigelt), Dry, traditional-method sparkling wines (brut Franciacorta, brut California bottlings), Dry and off-dry, unoaked white wines (Gewurztaminer and Pinot Gris from Alsace, Chenin Blanc from the Loire), Dry, structured whites (Marsanne and Roussanne, mature Hunter Valley Semillon, Riesling from Clare or Eden Valley, Australia) for ripe, pungent cheese, Epoisses and Chambertin (said to be a favorite of Napoleon), Dry, white wines with a touch of oak (Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Rioja), Gutsy, rustic, crunchy wines without much oak (Ctes de Rhne, Corbires, St-Chinian, Chianti, Menca, young Bordeaux blends), Vintage traditional-method sparkling wines (Champagne, Franciacorta) for younger cheese, Bold wines with some age (Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Aglianico, Rioja or Bordeaux blends from cooler climates like Bordeaux or Margaret River). Valpolicella Classico & Food Pairings Valpolicella Classico is an everyday drinking red wine from Italy that pairs best with everyday food such as pepperoni pizza, red-sauce pasta, risotto, roasted chicken, pork chops in a red sauce, and barbecued foods. However, Valpolicella can stand up to quite a bit of acid, so it will take some doing to find a dish that ruins this wine. We enjoyed a bottle of each and came up with both obvious and unconventional pairings. 'Acidity works well to refresh the palate, as fat and salt together are quite dominant factors in tasting,' said Cannon. Hard: The product of aging, these are quite firm and break into crumbles or shards. - G.C.D. Go to Pairing British Cheeses with Wine, Ales and Ciders Remember, Valpolicella has very low levels of tannins, so youre unlikely to get an overpowering bitter taste if you pair this red wine with seafood. Fresh: Soft and rindless, these can be. The modern wines work, but for me the more traditional ones are more fun. Massimago It is not labelled Classico, as when you move outside the original region, the growing conditions change (soil, climate, temperature), which can change the wine profile. The Future 40 Tastemakers & Innovators of 2022, Go Here, Not There: 3 Alternative Destinations to Popular Wine Regions, 8 Bucket-List Drinks Spots Around the World, Wine Enthusiasts 2022 Wine Star Award Winners, California Privacy Rights Do Not Sell My Information, Crisp, dry and young bottlings (Albario, Soave, Pinot Blanc, Muscadet, Vermentino, Verdejo, Arneis, Sauvignon Blanc, young Chardonnay), Off-dry wines (Gewrztraminer or Riesling) for salty cheeses like feta, Very young, fruity, unoaked red wines (Loire Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Valpolicella, Zweigelt), Dry, traditional-method sparkling wines (brut Champagne. Media & Press Inquiries: Valpolicella's slightly tannic, acidic flavours make it the ideal companion to foods such as steak, mushroom and aged cheese. Your email address will not be published. The ripe and bone-dry valpolicella classico superiore is produced from 50% corvina and 20% corvinone, rounded out with rondinella and croatina. Expect floral, spice-forward flavors of morello cherry, chocolate, and a hint of menthol. The rind is edible, and it has a stronger, funkier flavor than the interior. Thank You! This wine is bright, medium- to light-bodied, and fresh, with a ruby color and vivid flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and sour cherry, with a touch of spice. They tend to be the richest and creamiest type of cheese, with a soft, spreadable texture. The Verdict: Pecorino di Grotto , Truffle Tremor. Valpolicella Classico is also surprisingly delicious with Lemon Chicken served over a bed of warm pasta. With more sugar and less water, the final wines have higher alcohol contents when vinified dry, generally around 15% to 16% ABV. The modern wines, products of greater control and higher technology, often taste of vanilla from aging in new oak barrels. Made by Benedictine monks, Abbaye de Belloc is a semi-hard cheese with a full, sheepy flavor and sweet undertones. The easy-drinking appeal of regular red Valpolicell is coupled with the prestige of its powerful and intensely flavored counterpart Amarone della Valpolicella. Theyre funkier than bloomy cheeses, with gamy, often pleasantly pungent notes. Santi Produced from 60% corvina, 15% corvinone, and 20% rondinella grapes, plus a touch of molinara, this intensely fragrant wine shows flavors of dark fruits, violets, milk chocolate, and sweet spice. Washed Rind: A bath in brine, beer or wine produces a distinct orange rind. Beer & Cheese, News & Events, Recipes & Tips, Wine & Cheese. Get the latest news, reviews, recipes and gear sent to your inbox. Here is a short list of recommendations which can serve as a starting point for Pairing Italian Cheeses with Wines. If you like BBQ sauce slathered on your Chicken, or your chicken in a red pasta sauce, youll understand how the cherry flavours of Valpolicella go so well with the neutral tasting chicken. As a relatively light and appealing Wine with beef with mushroom and onion gravy, Wine with ground turkey or turkey burgers. Valpolicella Superiore is much richer in flavour than Valpolicella Classico and will pair with somewhat heavier dishes such as steak, burgers, lamb and meatier pasta. By law Valpolicella DOC wines must be made using 45-95% Corvina. Hard, salty Pecorino Romano is produced from sheeps milk, with younger versions making a fine appetizer. Stay tuned for part two of our series this Thursday, which will help you learn more about the regions and different winemaking techniques of Valpolicella and Amarone. The Wine and Cheese Pairing Wheel features 40 cheeses and the wines to pair with them. . In the plans just south of these mountains, Valpolicellas vines rest in rich, alluvial soil. Valpolicella Superiore is Valpolicella Classico that has been aged at least one year in wood, and is a minimum of 12% alcohol. Another creamy, mildly sweet cheese is Buratta, a cows milk and comes from Italys southeast Puglia region. While the wine wont complement the lemon and citrus flavours of this meal, Valpolicella is high enough in acidity to not clash with the lemon flavours, allowing its vibrant red cherry flavours to shine bright and bring out the savoury aspect of the chicken. A regular Valpolicella can be overwhelmed by heavy, flavourful cuts of meat, like beef or game. Close in style to Parmigiano-Reggiano and also originating from northern Italy, Grana Padano is an unpasteurized cows milk cheese. Go to Italian Cheeses N to Z Cinsault; Pinot Noir . Roquefort and Sauternes. Regional pairings will almost always work well such as Robiolo type cheeses from the Piedmont of Italy paired up with some robust Piedmont red wines or a Sicilian chardonnay or a Sicilian red with a Sicilian cheese like Ragusano. The best wine pairings for spaghetti puttanesca. The red and black cherry component of Valpolicella matches the sweetness of the Ham while the light and acidic aspect of Valpolicella is refreshing against the hams saltiness. The only thing you should really stay away from is overly acidic foods, like a piece of fish doused in vinegar and lemon juice. Valpolicella Classico complements the pasta sauce and keeps your mouth refreshed in between bites. History states it was initially made by Cistercian monks. For amarone, grab some aged Parmigiano cheese and get the post-dinner course started, or simply light up a cigar to sip with the wine. selections. BRA Roquefort Cheese & Amarone Pairing Roquefort cheese is a flavourful blue cheese that is salty and flavorful, with notes of sweet burnt caramel and bitter almond. Its hard, aromatic, and buttery-flavored style calls for bolder red wines softened a bit from aging. Red wines: Robust reds from Piedmont regions 2. You can buy high-quality Valpolicella Classico in the $8-$20 range, making it a no-brainer when you want to keep things casual. suggestions here to guide you. With Valpolicella being so light, it wont overpower the tender chicken flavours. A juicy steak cooked medium rare with a good Amarone is a match made in heaven. What could be better with cherry or strawberry pie? Salmon or tuna is also a fantastic choice. Therefore, these wines have higher levels of sugar and lower levels of alcohol, around 12% on average. As the wine became popular, the borders of what could be Valpolicella expanded. The Classico portion lets the buyer know that this wine came from a specific area in Veneto where Valpolicella was historically produced. Here are eight delizioso cheese and vino pairings worth trying any time! Located on a sun-drenched hillside in the Veneto region of Italy, this producers cellar is nestled amongst 20 hectares of vines and 19 hectares of woods, olive groves, and cherry trees. The Montepulciano begged for a pecorino even more than the Valpolicella. Let us know what wine and cheese youre pairing together by leaving a comment below. Plus, you get a bit of herb, spice and smoke in Valpolicella that imparts its own characteristics on the roasted chicken and further improves the taste. Like the wine, Parmigiano changes in flavor as it ages; it also becomes stronger and saltier. Check out the links below for more wine and cheese pairings (British Cheeses with Wine, Ales and Ciders and French Cheeses with Wine and American Cheeses with Wine). Lighter red wines pair with leaner cuts and red meats that are served closer to the raw form. Its soft texture and freshness make elegant white wines an ideal match. Valpolicella Classico is fantastic with pasta with a red sauce as the herbs and cherry flavours blend in perfectly with the tomato sauce. Regular Valpolicella, including the Classico Superiore, is made like usual red wine. Valpolicella Rosso is Valpolicella that has been produced outside of this original boundary. Today, this blue- or green-veined cheese comes in two main styles. Another pairing worth trying is with donkey meat stew or pastissada de caval. On the nose, youll find lots of red and black cherry, along with herbs that complement the tomato sauce spread across your pizza. Sweet wines such as Sauternes or late-harvest Riesling complement the flavor without overpowering it. Recioto is unfortunately rare these days, but if you find a bottle, you should give it a try. If the dish is rich, gamey, earthy, or tomato sauce-based, Ripasso is an incredibly food-friendly wine to pair up with it. The Ripasso wines generally have a juicy sweetness and are often good value. Its soft structure and rich fruit also make it pleasant to drink on its own. The food-friendly nature of this red wine also ensures it will go great with any veggies or herbs that might be tossed into your sauce. While it appears in a few different styles, the standard Valpolicella is an easy-drinking red blend, made up of 3 lesser-known Italian grape varietals: Rondinella, Molinara and Corvina Veronese. Blue: Veins of blue mold run through these. When wine lovers consider red wines from northern Italy, their thoughts may go directly to the esteemed wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, made with the prestigious Nebbiolo grape. Assorted Italian Cheeses An assortment of four cheeses that are typical of four distinct regions of Italy: Provolone Piccante, Grana Padano Stravecchio, Mountain Gorgonzola and Pecorino Toscano. Tell him which Italian cheeses you have selected and he can work with you to come up with a few Italian wines Hopefully, youll be inspired to try some of these lovely wines, and find new favorites along the way. After 23 to 24 months of aging in oak, the wine is finally bottled and sent out for release. To avoid this, cut it in half (and hide the other half somewhere out of view). Cheeses: Manchego, Zamorano, Idiazbal, Roncal, Grazalema, Serrat, Ovin, La Leyenda, La . An assortment of four cheeses that are typical of four distinct regions of Italy: Provolone Piccante, Grana Padano Stravecchio, Mountain Gorgonzola and Pecorino Toscano. While, for main dishes that include Mascarpone, try a lively sparkling wine like Prosecco. History states it was initially made by Cistercian monks. Kind of, but not really. But the two sets of flavors coexist in a remarkably respectful way. Put the Gourmet Cheese Detective on the case! If you have a more mature one, grate it over pasta and meat dishes, especially those of Roman cuisine. Purchases made through links on this site do not affect the price you pay for products purchased. These sweet dessert wines have good acidity and a toothsome mouthfeel. Valpolicella Rosso is the ultimate pairing with pizza as the wine tastes a little bit like pizza. Ripasso and Amarone are heavy hitters as they have bold flavours, high alcohol content and almost syrupy concentrated flavours. Many are excellent to melt and perfect to slice. Valpolicella Classico is an everyday drinking red wine from Italy that pairs best with everyday food such as pepperoni pizza, red-sauce pasta, risotto, roasted chicken, pork chops in a red sauce, and barbecued foods. Wine and Cheese Pairing Guide Wine and cheese pairing possibilities are endless. However, generally speaking, classic expressions of valpolicella show flavors of sour cherries, red berries, and cinnamon. Cantina Valpantena Verona If you are featuring a meatier Pasta Sauce, like Spaghetti and Meatballs, level up a few dollars more with a richer Valpolicella Superiore. Valpolicella is a red wine blend produced in the Veneto region of Italy. A glass of fresh. For heavier Valpolicella, like Ripasso, you can start looking at steaks and thick braised meats. The four distinct styles of Valpolicella wine are unusual in that all are made from the same short list of native grapes: Corvina, Rondinella, Corvinone, and Molinara. Expect flavors of black cherries, vanilla bean, and a touch of cinnamon. They start out as usual red wine, but then in spring they are repassed recombined with the skins left from pressing Recioto and Amarone, which adds both sweet flavors and enough actual sugar to provoke a small new fermentation. Simply divine when enjoyed with a beef fillet en croute or coq au vin. Vicki Denig is a wine and travel writer and content creator. Flavors of plum and sour cherries gave way to soft tannins on the finish. This youthful valpolicella shows flavors of sour cherry, fresh-picked herbs, and a touch of crushed stones. The magic of these pairings is the acidity of the light red cutting through the delicate texture of a rare steak. The wine is also inexpensive. Amarone has just the proper amount of oomph to hold its own against these sharp Roquefort Cheese flavours without overwhelming the cheese. Theyre not aged and have a mild, slightly tangy flavor. Valpolicella and Montepulciano can be found cheap and often deliver better than expected flavors.