Sangiovese Food Pairing

Sangiovese—pronounced sahn-joh-vae-sae—originated in Italy, and while it is quite popular in its homeland with 155,000 acres of real estate, the most in Italy, it has not gained notoriety in the rest of the world. (For comparison, the next largest region is Corsica with 4,800 acres.) However, in spite of its perhaps underrated status, it is still an excellent wine to pair with food.

This bold, savory red wine is championed for its high acidity and bold, firm tannins. Cherry is the most prominent fruit flavor, followed by tomato, plum, espresso, and tobacco, while notes of herb, mineral, and leather give it an earthy, rustic presence. Its low alcohol and high acidity make it a great food-friendly wine.

Meat That Pairs Well with Sangiovese

This wine is an excellent pairing with rich proteins. Meats like steak, roasted pork, lamb, and even cured meats like prosciutto and salami all pair well with Sangiovese. It has enough body and complexity that it will not be overpowered by the heavy meat, but its natural acidity will cut through the rich fat.

Cheese That Pairs Well with Sangiovese

Similar to meat, Sangiovese pairs well with rich cheeses because the acidity cuts through the fat providing the perfect balance. Aged cheeses, particularly Italian cheeses make a great accompaniment for this wine. Try an aged Asiago, Pecorino, Mozzarella or Parmesan. You could also explore blue cheese or gorgonzola for some contrast.

Appetizers That Pair Well with Sangiovese

We have already covered that cheese and cured meats pair well with this wine, so a charcuterie board would be a great appetizer to start with. Appetizers like mozzarella sticks, flatbreads with cheese and tomato, bruschetta, and shrimp cocktail are all excellent choices. If the appetizer includes a rich cheese or tomato sauce, it is sure to win with Sangiovese.

Vegetarian Dishes That Pair Well with Sangiovese

Stick with grilled or roasted vegetables cooked in butter or oil when pairing with Sangiovese. These cooking techniques impart bolder flavors and therefore make a better match to more complex red wines, and the butter and oil help to cut through the tannins in the wine. Vegetarian-focused dishes like ratatouille, vegetable stew, and mushroom risotto will be a perfect complement to Sangiovese.

Herbs That Pair Well with Sangiovese

The earthy, rustic qualities of Sangiovese make it a great wine to pair with herbal dishes, especially those you might find in tomato-based sauces. Spices like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary will all be highlighted by the wine.

Food That Does Not Pair Well with Sangiovese

While Sangiovese is a food-friendly wine, there are a few foods you will want to stay away from. Avoid spicy food as the tannins in the wine will only exacerbate the spice. We would also recommend staying away from light fish as the flavor is generally far too delicate and will be overpowered by Sangiovese.