Chianti Food Pairing

One of the renowned and classic Italian wines is Chianti. This beautiful red wine is made of Sangiovese grapes from Tuscany, Italy. When it comes to the taste, Chianti offers smoke, herbs, berries, and balsamic vinegar. Its high acidity removes the fatty taste of hearty dishes. Tomato-based pasta and pizzas are fantastic choices as it blends well with the acidity and fruity flavor of Chianti. It is also compatible with dishes that have olive oil thanks to its dry tannin.

Liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti

– Hannibal Lecter (Silence of the Lambs)

Meat That Pairs Well With Chianti

Chianti is perfect for rich, bold meat dishes as it cuts through the fat. It has a medium body and savory elements. With that said, roast beef and BBQ meats are excellent dishes to pair with Chianti, because it has high tannin and complements the savory taste of the dishes. 

In addition, sausages especially from Italy, and cheeseburgers are wonderful comfort food to pair with this red wine. If you’re into fancy dishes, you can opt for the Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Tuscan porterhouse) or other fatty steaks to maximize your dining experience with Chianti.

Cheese That Pairs Well With Chianti

Cheese and Chianti are a perfect match. Hard, aged cheeses such as pecorino cheese, parmigiano-reggiano, gouda and cheddar are ideal for Chianti. Parmigiana has a salty flavor that mixes well with the fruitiness of the wine. It should be noted that Chianti might overpower soft cheeses. You can always try other cheeses based on your preferences, as the most important thing to remember when pairing wine with cheese is to eat and drink what you like!

Appetizers That Pair Well With Chianti

Chianti and tomatoes go well together. Bruschetta is a superb appetizer for Chianti because of the wine’s acidity. It also goes well with the garlic and olive oil notes in bruschetta. Furthermore, due to its savory flavor and heightened acidity, a charcuterie board is an outstanding combination of meat and cheese that is a match made in heaven for Chianti.

Vegetarian Dishes That Pair Well With Chianti

Since tomato is a vegetable, pairing Chianti with vegetarian dishes is ideal as well. A good example is sun-dried tomato pasta. That acidity from Chianti makes it a perfect match for tomato-based pasta. Grilled or marinated vegetables can also be paired with this medium-bodied wine. For a flavorful dish, opt for chickpea soup, veggie pizza, and vegan meats as an alternative to meat and cheese.

Herbs That Pair Well With Chianti

Chianti offers splendid notes of herbs, smoke, and spices. Olive oil, basil, sage, parsley, and rosemary are herbs and spices to complement your dish with Chianti.

Food That Does Not Pair Well With Chianti

It is a well-known fact that bold wines must be paired with bold dishes. Try to avoid light dishes and seafood since Chianti will overpower their flavor. Balancing the level of wine and food is important for a great dining experience.

Best Foods To Eat With Chianti

A bottle of Italian wine must be accompanied by authentic Italian cuisine. Chianti is the ideal wine to pair with tomato sauce and meat dishes. Ultimately, Chianti is a classic wine for a special dining experience. We recommend the following dishes for Chianti.

• Tomato-based pasta
• Bruschetta
• Bistecca alla Fiorentina
• Steaks
• Pizzas
• Roast Beef
• BBQ meats
• Cheeseburger
• Sausages

Pairing Wine With Italian Food

Pairing Food With Italian Wine