Finding the perfect pairing of wine with Italian food is not as daunting a task as you might think. There are six basic things to keep in mind when selecting wines to successfully enhance your culinary selections and our Italian restaurant in Orlando, Christini’s Ristorante Italiano, is proud to offer a vast selection of wines from around the world to help you select the ideal complement with your award-winning meal.
- Foods that are fatty or rich in nature should be paired with wines that tend to have an acidic finish. You will want to select a wine whose flavor will cut through the heavy fat content and, ultimately, balance the finish on your tongue. It’s all about finding a pleasing balance.
- Fatty foods can also be paired well with a wine that is high in alcohol content unless that fatty food is spicy in nature. The high alcohol content, in this case, will cause the spices to feel much hotter on your palate. Perhaps a sweet wine would be a better choice in this instance.
- Wines that are high in tannins, which some consider to be bitter, will actually complement a sweet food quite nicely.
- Sweet foods also pair well with acidic wines. Desserts are often complemented quite nicely by a sparkling wine such as Asti Spumante or Moscato d’Asti.
- Dishes that are salty should not compete with the acidity in a wine. Avoid over-salting your food to keep the flavors in check between your wine and menu selections, and select a sweeter wine to accompany a saltier plate.
- The body of the wine should be taken into consideration when making a pairing. For example, full-bodied red wines work well with roasted meats and tomato-based sauces, but not spicy dishes. Full-bodied white wines pair nicely with rich seafood dishes and pork.
If you are making a selection for a meal you will be preparing at home, or if you can’t get a feel for what might be a good pairing, try to make a regional selection if you have chosen a regional favorite dish. You will usually be pleased with your choice. Don’t be afraid to ask your server or sommelier for their thoughts on the perfect pairing. At our Italian restaurant in Orlando, Christini’s Ristorante Italiano, the staff is highly trained and will gladly help you make the perfect wine selection to accompany your meal. Please call for a reservation.
