More Lamborghini…less Reuinite
When I say Lambrusco, what do you think? Oldest cultivar of Italian wine? Refreshing summery wine of the people? Or “Riunite on ice, so very nice.” (Perhaps not the best ad campaign for Italy’s most popular wine.)
I am unclear where my fascination with a lightly frizzante red from Italy originates, but it has always been my favorite super-secret pairing for client menus. We recently had a cookie and wine pairing event at Bite Society, and I am pleased to say that one of the winning combinations was our Chocolate Chipotle cookie with a Lambrusco.
Our Lambrusco is from Denny Bini – literally, a dude named Denny Bini. He is doing a little more than I am to return Lambrusco to its origins: More Lamborghini and less Reunite. He makes 6000 bottles per year from a single hectare of organically-farmed vineyards. His classic Emilian Lambrusco has depth the fruit that pairs just as well as you think it should with our Before Dinner Chocolate Chipotle cookies. Translation: Lightly frizzante meets rich chocolate with smokey spice, and they are in serious second date territory. We loved this pairing so much, we suggest a bottle with our Chocolate Chipotle Cookies.
Pairings are as much elbow grease as they are art or science. Our favorite pairer is Kurt Schlatter from Bianco Rossi Imports, who says:
Successfully pairing bites and wine is sometimes pretty easy when your memory clicks on that one flavor note in your dish and in the bottle that will sing together beautifully. Other times, it's a bit like being a mad scientist experimenting around with flavor balance, or weight, or finding a yin/yang combination that elevates the flavor of each. But always remember if you're pairing, when in doubt, bubbles go with everything!
PS. The label is an imagined feast of historical and mythical figures from Italian history. From right to left: Toto, Alberto Sordi, Silvana Mangano, Magiofagiuoli, Fantozzi, Nonna Pasta, and an unidentified baby. (SEO alert, we are hoping to come up in all searches of Magiafagiuoli.)
PPS. Mangiofagiuoli translates to Beaneater. It is a sorta kinda famous painting by Baroque Master Annibale Carracci. You know those Tuscan beans we all love? They may have been eaten with a lovely glass of Lambrusco.
