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POSTED MAR 6, 2019


Let's Cook!

Whether you're crazy about Italian cooking or a self-proclaimed wine expert, we can all agree that food and wine are best enjoyed together. Here at Cento, we've put together a one-stop guide to inspire creativity and culinary adventure for wine and food pairings. We've gathered several different wine varietals to be paired with some of our best signature recipes; scroll down to find some timeless, inventive, and even daring food and wine pairings.

Champagne

Of course Champagne has a reputation for being an occasional, often celebratory drink that is usually served on its own. However, this varietal has many surprisingly satisfying pairings with appetizers, brunch and even light seafood plates.

Calamari Fra Diavolo over Linguine

Calamari Fra Diavolo over Linguine

Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed Mushrooms

Moscato

For all the sweet wine drinkers out there, Moscato is a great choice to pair with a meal. Produced primarily in Italy from Muscat grapes, this varietal is absolutely delicious with dishes consisting of nuts, cured meats, or crunchy vegetables. For best results, you'll want to make sure a still white or pink Moscato is chilled to about 45°F.

Prosciutto Arugula Pizza

Prosciutto Arugula Pizza

Pasta with Pistachio Sauce

Pasta with Pistachio Sauce

Sauvignon Blanc
& Pinot Grigio

When it comes to dry whites such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, you can never go wrong with a zesty seafood dish. Other strong flavor correlations can be found when pairing with goat cheese or herbs such as basil, thyme, and oregano.

Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Pesto, Goat Cheese & Sun Dried Tomato Appetizer

Pesto, Goat Cheese & Sun Dried Tomato Appetizer

Chardonnay

Rich white wines such as Chardonnay can be extremely versatile when it comes to food pairings. Poultry, shellfish, and soft cheeses all make for wonderful choices with this vareital. Try to avoid dishes that are too sweet or spicy when drinking Chardonnay.

Chicken Piccata

Chicken Piccata

Italian Baked Macaroni

Italian Baked Macaroni

Rosé

Often overlooked when it comes to food pairings, Rosé can be paired with an array of dishes that may surprise the typical wine drinker. Considering this type of wine doesn't necessarily have many "perfect" pairings per se, the varietal presents a great opportunity for experimentation. But to be safe, you can't go wrong with Rosé and brunch.

Italian Cioppino

Italian Cioppino

Italian Continental Breakfast

Italian Continental Breakfast

Pinot Noir

When it comes to light reds such as Pinot Noir, the first rule is to make sure you are pairing the wine with earthy flavors. Mushrooms, herbs, and even heavy fish such as salmon are all great options for this incredibly flexible varietal. Although, if you're planning to eat red meat, you may want to try a heavier red wine.

Pork Medallions with White Balsamic, Cherry & Rosemary Sauce

Pork Medallions with White Balsamic, Cherry & Rosemary Sauce

Squash & Porcini Mushroom Risotto

Squash & Porcini Mushroom Risotto

Zinfandel
& Merlot

Medium-bodied reds such as Zinfandel and Merlot work very well with all sorts of meats, especially when they're smoked, or roasted. Other ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, and various spices are sure to bring out the best in these types of wine. Don't expect too much chemistry from dishes with squash or green vegetables.

Chicken All'Arrabbiata

Chicken All'Arrabbiata

Bolognese Sauce

Bolognese Sauce

Cabernet Sauvignon
& Malbec

These bold red wines are absolutely perfect for heavy pasta dishes with red sauce, hard cheeses such as parmesan and asiago, and classic barbecue. Feel free to be as liberal as you want with black pepper in your meal when drinking Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec, however, try to keep any other herbs or spices to a minimum.

San Marzano BBQ Sauce

San Marzano BBQ Sauce

Traditional Lasagne

Traditional Lasagne

If you're interested in coming up with a pairing of your own, feel free to browse the rest of our authentic Italian recipes!