Barbaresco is a bold and dry red wine, made from the Nebbiolo grape in the northern Italian region of Piedmont. It is often represented as the younger brother of Barolo – which is made in a neighboring appellation. While Barbaresco certainly deserves to be respected as a wine of its own, independent from Barolo (it has a slightly smoother and more accessible character), the two Nebbiolo-based wines do share a lot of the same primary characteristics and thus, can be paired with many of the same meals. In general, we’re going to be looking at hearty dishes with intense flavors and plenty of protein and fat, which will help to unlock Barbaresco’s full potential.
Meat That Pairs Well With Barbaresco
Despite its relatively smooth character, Barbaresco is still a tannic powerhouse and packed with intense flavors of dark fruits, smoke, earth, tar and flowers. Its optimal pairings include extremely protein-rich cuts of meat, such as a prime beef rib, rib-eye steak, venison or braised veal. Large amounts of protein and fat help to absorb a lot of the wine’s tannins, unlocking a whole selection of subtle tertiary flavors. You can also go for classic gamey pairings that also match Barolo, such as roast duck or goose. Overall, Barbaresco screams out for savory flavors, which serve a dual purpose – complement the wine’s leathery side and help to exaggerate its deeply nuanced fruit notes.
Cheese That Pairs Well With Barbaresco
Many of the rules that apply to meat also apply to cheese. You want to pair pungent, salty and earthy cheeses with Barbaresco, both to absorb its ample tannins and to bring out its complex fruity and floral side. We recommend aged nutty cheeses, such as Parmigiano, aged Gouda and Cheddar. You can also aim for saltiness, with cheeses such as Feta and Gorgonzola, to exaggerate the wine’s crisp acidity.
Appetizers That Pair Well With Barbaresco
Barbaresco is not a typical aperitif, but it is definitely worthy of pairing with a wide range of snacks, to explore all of its details. Cheese plates and charcuterie boards offer a huge variety of flavors and would make for a delightful evening of gastronomic exploration when paired with a bottle of Barbaresco. That concept is worth keeping in mind – when pairing bold, luxurious wines like Barbaresco, creating the right atmosphere is half the battle.
Vegetarian Dishes That Pair Well With Barbaresco
Barbaresco wines often have a certain elegance and velvety feel that Barolo may not – this opens the door for some lighter food pairings. There are some beautiful regional pairings from the north of Italy, such as hazelnut risotto and tomato and barley soup. In fact, any tomato-based pasta dish can be a beautiful companion for Barbaresco, accentuating its whole range of red fruit flavors. You can also go down the umami route, and pair Barbaresco with dishes such as mushroom or truffle risotto. These provide the filling, savory bite that this wine craves.
Herbs That Pair Well With Barbaresco
Barbaresco is a wonderful companion for classic Italian flavors, such as balsamic vinegar, oregano and garlic. You can also pair it with any pungent herb/spice that typically accompanies hearty dishes, such as rosemary, thyme, black pepper, or bay leaf.
Food That Does Not Pair Well With Barbaresco
At the end of the day, Barbaresco is a powerful wine, so you should probably avoid pairing it with delicate dishes that it can easily overpower. This includes any delicate seafood dishes, such as scallops, oysters and white fish.
Best Foods To Eat With Barbaresco
In short, pairing Barbaresco with hearty, rich foods such as roasted meats and aged cheeses is a quick route to a delicious dining experience. Foods that are high in umami, such as mushrooms and soy sauce, also complement the wine’s flavors.
- Prime Rib
- Braised Veal
- Hazelnut/Mushroom Risotto
- Tomato and Barley Soup
- Feta cheese
