Italy is known for its delicious and diverse cuisine, from pizza and pasta to gelato and tiramisu. But let’s not forget about the exquisite Italian cheeses that perfectly complement these dishes. And what better way to enjoy a plate of Italian cheese than with a glass of rich, full-bodied red wine?
We’ll be taking a closer look at some of the best Italian red wines that pair perfectly with various types of Italian cheese. Wine pairing is essential to balance flavors and textures, enhancing the overall tasting experience. Whether you prefer a bold Barolo or a smooth Chianti, there’s sure to be a wine on this list that will make your taste buds sing.
Italian Cheeses
Italian cheeses are a cornerstone of the country’s cuisine, known for their distinct flavors and textures that have become incredibly popular worldwide. From the famous Parmigiano-Reggiano to Pecorino Romano and Gorgonzola, Italian cheese offers an array of flavors that can be enjoyed on their own or paired with wine. Additionally, the art of pairing Italian cheeses with wines highlights the importance of choosing complementary flavors to enhance culinary experiences.
Soft Italian cheeses
These cheeses are perfect to pair with a glass of wine, making them an ideal appetizer or dessert option for any occasion. They also offer endless possibilities for creative cheese pairings, enhancing the culinary experience.
Mozarella
This soft italian cheese originates from Italy and is made using buffalo or cow’s milk. Mozzarella can be enjoyed in various forms such as grated, sliced, or melted on top of your favorite dishes. It pairs well with wine, making it an excellent addition to any meal.
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The texture of mozzarella is often soft and smooth when fresh, but it becomes stringy and chewy when melted. This makes it perfect for use in pizza toppings or as a sandwich filling. Mozzarella has also become popular for use in salads, especially Caprese salad which typically consists of mozzarella slices with fresh tomatoes and basil leaves drizzled with olive oil. The use of buffalo milk provides a mozarella with a stronger taste.
Bocconcini
Bocconcini cheese is a type of Italian cheese that originated in Naples. It is a small, semi-soft and mild-tasting cheese made from fresh cow’s milk. Bocconcini translates to “small mouthfuls” in English which refers to the bite-sized pieces that the cheese is traditionally served in.
The texture of bocconcini is smooth and elastic, with a slight chewiness that makes it perfect for salads, sandwiches or as a stand-alone snack. The flavor has a subtle milky taste with hints of creaminess and sweetness. One unique feature of bocconcini is its ability to seamlessly blend with other ingredients while still retaining its own distinct flavor.
Mascarpone
It is made from the milk of cows and has a high fat content, which gives it its luxurious texture. Mascarpone can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, making it a versatile ingredient in any kitchen. Dessert wines, such as port and Sauternes, pair exceptionally well with mascarpone-based dishes, enhancing the overall tasting experience.
In sweet dishes, mascarpone adds richness and depth to desserts like tiramisu or cheesecake. Its mild flavor allows other ingredients to shine while providing a subtle creaminess that enhances the overall flavor profile.
In savory dishes, mascarpone can be used as a base for sauces or as a spread on crostini. Its smooth texture makes it easy to incorporate into recipes and adds an indulgent touch to any dish.
Ricotta
This soft, creamy cheese is made from the whey leftover after producing other cheeses, such as mozzarella or Parmesan. Ricotta has a mild taste and a slightly grainy texture that makes it perfect for both sweet and savory dishes.
It’s a key ingredient in classic dishes like lasagna, ravioli, and cannoli filling. Additionally, fresh ricotta can be used to make dips, spreads, and even desserts like cheesecake or tiramisu. The possibilities are endless when it comes to this delicious cheese.
Ricotta is lower in fat than many other types of cheese which makes it an ideal choice for those watching their calorie intake.
Burrata
It is made from mozzarella and cream, burrata has a soft and buttery texture that melts in your mouth. It’s often served with fresh tomatoes, basil, and olive oil for an appetizer that’s perfect for summer.
You can use it in a variety of dishes, from salads to pizzas to pasta dishes. Its rich flavor and creamy texture make it an excellent substitute for other types of cheese like feta or goat cheese.
Scamorza
Scamorza is a type of cheese that originates from Southern Italy. This semi-soft cheese has a distinct pear shape and is made by stretching curdled milk. It can either be smoked or not, depending on personal preference.
It can be used in many different recipes, from simple sandwiches to elaborate pasta dishes. Its mild and slightly sweet flavor makes it an excellent choice for salads as well.
Hard Italian cheeses
Italian hard cheese is a staple in many kitchens around the world, and for good reason. With its rich and complex flavors, this type of cheese adds depth and character to any dish. From Parmigiano-Reggiano to Pecorino Romano, Italian hard cheeses are known for their sharpness, nuttiness, and versatility. These cheeses are also perfect for food and wine pairing, enhancing the dining experience with their unique flavor profiles.
Parmigiano reggiano
Parmigiano Reggiano, also known as Parmesan cheese, is a hard, granular cheese that originated in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. This cheese is made from raw cow’s milk and aged for at least 12 months to develop its distinctive texture and flavor.
Peccorino
Pecorino cheese is a delicious, hard Italian cheese made from sheep’s milk. This cheese has a rich and tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with a variety of dishes. Pecorino is one of the oldest cheeses in Italy and has been enjoyed for centuries.
This cheese is typically aged for 8 to 12 months, which gives it its distinct flavor and texture. It’s commonly grated over pasta dishes or used as a topping on salads and sandwiches. Pecorino cheese also pairs well with wine, particularly red wines like Chianti or Sangiovese.
Gorgonzola Piccante
Gorgonzola Piccante is a type of blue cheese that hails from the Lombardy region of Italy. It is an intense, creamy cheese that packs a punch with its piquant flavor and crumbly texture. This artisanal cheese is made using traditional techniques passed down through generations.
Gorgonzola Piccante has a distinct aroma with earthy notes and hints of spice. Its sharp, tangy taste can be enjoyed on its own or paired with fruits, nuts, crackers or bread. This cheese also pairs well with full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel. Additionally, sweet wines such as Picolit, Sauternes, and Malvasia provide a perfect balance to its strong flavor.
Fontina
Fontina is a semi-soft cheese originating from the Valle d’Aosta region in Italy. It is made from cow’s milk and has a nutty, buttery flavor with hints of earthiness. The cheese has a pale yellow color and is known for its creamy texture that melts in your mouth.
One of the most distinctive features of Fontina cheese is its aroma. The scent can be described as pungent, but not overpowering, with notes of mushroom and grass. This makes it an ideal ingredient to add depth to dishes such as pasta, risotto or pizza.
Asiago d’allevo
Asiago d’allevo is a cheese that hails from the Veneto region in Italy and has been around since the Renaissance period. It is a semi-hard, cow’s milk cheese with a distinctive nutty flavor and creamy texture. Its production process involves using raw milk from cows that graze on the lush meadows of Asiago plateau.
This versatile cheese can be enjoyed on its own or used as an ingredient in various recipes such as risottos, as pizza topping, salads, sandwiches, and more. It pairs well with red wines like Chianti or Pinot Noir or white wines like Pinot Grigio.
Scamorza and Provolone
Scamorza and provolone are two of the most popular Italian cheeses. Both originate from the Southern Italy, where they have been produced for centuries. While similar in appearance, these two cheeses have distinct flavors that set them apart.
Scamorza is a semi-soft cheese with a mild flavor and a slightly tangy taste. It is made from cow’s milk and often has a smoked version called “smoked scamorza”. This milk cheese is commonly used as a substitute for mozzarella in recipes such as pizza or caprese salad. Scamorza can also be eaten on its own as an appetizer or added to sandwiches.
Provolone, on the other hand, has a stronger flavor than scamorza due to its aging process. Made from cow’s milk, this cheese ranges from mild to sharp depending on how long it has been aged.
Italian Red Wines
Italy is renowned for its exceptional wine-making heritage, producing some of the world’s finest Italian wines. Italian red wines are particularly popular, thanks to their rich flavors and versatility in pairing with various cuisines. From bold and full-bodied Barolo to smooth and elegant Chianti, Italy has a diverse range of red wines that cater to every taste.
Barolo and Barbaresco – Piedmont Nebiolo
When it comes to pairing these wines with cheese, there are several options that can enhance their flavors.
One of the best cheeses to pair with Barolo and Barbaresco is Parmigiano Reggiano. This hard cheese has a nutty flavor that complements the earthy tones in both wines. Its texture also works well with their high tannins, creating a balanced taste on the palate.
Another great option is Castelmagno, a semi-hard cheese made from cow’s milk that has a sharp and tangy flavor. This cheese pairs well with both Barolo and Barbaresco due to its strong character.
Moscato d`Asti – Piedmont sparkling wines
When selecting cheeses to pair with Moscato d’Asti, a notable example of Italian sparkling wines, it’s important to consider flavors that complement each other. For example, soft and creamy cheeses like Brie or Camembert work well as their mild flavor profiles don’t overpower the wine’s sweetness. Another great option is fresh goat cheese, which has a tangy taste that balances out the wine’s sugary notes.
If you prefer something more robust, aged gouda can be an excellent choice as its nutty flavor enhances the wine’s fruitiness without overwhelming it.
Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino
Both wines are from the Tuscany region in Italy, known for their rich history, beautiful landscapes and delicious cuisine.
The flavor profile of Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino includes notes of cherries, plums, and spices which make it an ideal match for cheeses like Pecorino Toscano or Parmigiano Reggiano. These hard Italian cheeses have a nutty flavor that complements the fruity notes of Chianti Classico perfectly.
Another delicious option for pairing with Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is Pecorino Romano cheese.
Valpolicella Classico, Ripasso and Amarone
Valpolicella Classico is a dry red wine that pairs perfectly with medium-aged cheeses such as Gouda or Fontina. The nutty and buttery flavors in these cheeses help balance out the acidity of the wine, while their soft texture complements the smoothness of Valpolicella Classico.
For those who prefer a bit more intensity in their wine, an Amarone or a Ripasso are an excellent choice. These wines have a complex flavor profile that pairs well with aged cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano.
Puglia Primitivo
One great option for pairing with Puglia Primitivo is aged Parmigiano-Reggiano. This hard Italian cheese has a nutty flavor and buttery texture that pairs well with the tannins in the wine. The salty notes in Parmigiano-Reggiano also help bring out the fruitiness of Puglia Primitivo.
Another excellent choice is Gorgonzola Dolce.
Pinot Grigio
This crisp, light white wine has a refreshing acidity that pairs perfectly with a wide variety of cheeses. Adding to the enjoyment, the classic pairing of wine and cheese can elevate any dining experience, whether it’s a dinner party or a casual evening at home.
Try goat cheese! This tangy and creamy cheese is the perfect match for Pinot Grigio’s citrus notes. The acidity in the wine helps to cut through the richness of the cheese, leaving your palate refreshed and ready for more. Try pairing a fresh goat cheese with crackers or sliced baguette for an easy appetizer that will impress your guests.
Another great option is Parmesan reggiano. These popular italian cheeses pair well with pinot grigio.
Prosecco
Parmigiano-Reggiano with its nutty flavor complements the fruity notes in Prosecco perfectly. This hard cheese can also be grated over pasta or risotto dishes, making it a versatile ingredient in your kitchen.
Next up is Gorgonzola, an Italian blue cheese that pairs well with Prosecco’s acidity. Its rich and tangy flavor adds depth to your taste buds when combined with a glass of bubbly.
ChristinaDay
Hi, my name is Christina Day, and I am a self-proclaimed wine connoisseur. It is my favorite alcoholic drink, and I enjoy nothing better than kicking back on the sofa after a long week of work to enjoy a glass of wine… or two!
