Valpolicella is a famous wine region in Verona, Italy, home to a renowned red wine that is also called Valpolicella. While it appears in a few different styles, the standard Valpolicella is an easy-drinking red blend, made up of 3 lesser-known Italian grape varietals: Rondinella, Molinara and Corvina Veronese.
As a relatively light and appealing red wine, Valpolicella can be quite interchangeable with Beaujolais or Pinot Noir when it comes to food pairing. Think along the lines of lighter meats and seafood – chicken, turkey, salmon or tuna are all solid choices for Valpolicella. It has a sharp acidity and a distinctive sour cherry note that works well with a lot of food.
There are also bigger-bodied wines made with the Valpolicella name. Amarone and Recioto della Valpolicella are decidedly different, while wines such as Valpolicella Ripasso (which is a regular red wine with the addition of leftover dried grapes) can be paired with similar flavours and slightly denser meats.
Meat That Pairs Well With Valpolicella
Valpolicella is light to medium-bodied, low in tannins and very high in acidity. A regular Valpolicella can be overwhelmed by heavy, flavourful cuts of meat, like beef or game. However, they will be excellent when paired with roast chicken, light burgers, or anything in that oily vein, as the wine possesses a sharp, biting acidity. Salmon or tuna is also a fantastic choice.
For heavier Valpolicella, like Ripasso, you can start looking at steaks and thick braised meats. They have a bit more body and deeper flavours than regular Valpolicella and can stand up to heavier foods.
Cheese That Pairs Well With Valpolicella
For light-bodied Valpolicella’s or Valpolicella Classico, look for salty, dry cheeses to emphasize the brightness of the wine. Everyday cheeses such as Pecorino and Parmesan are good options.
As you enter the world of Amarone and Ripasso, you can look for more seasoned cheeses, such as a well-aged Parmesan, Bra Duro, or Bitto Storico, pairing full-bodied and intense flavours with each other.
Appetizers That Pair Well With Valpolicella
As it is a light red wine, Valpolicella works very well as a partner for appetizers, or as an appetizer in itself. Crostini, calamari, grilled vegetables and bacon-wrapped dates are all excellent choices. Remember, Valpolicella has very low levels of tannins, so you’re unlikely to get an overpowering bitter taste if you pair this red wine with seafood.
Vegetarian Dishes That Pair Well With Valpolicella
As with Pinot Noir and Beaujolais, anything with mushrooms is a great match for Valpolicella. Stuffed mushrooms, mushroom pie, or even a Portobello mushroom burger will be great for contrasting Valpolicella’s zesty red fruit character. Grilled vegetables are always a good choice – umami and smoky flavours are desirable.
With its medley of red fruits and high acidity, Valpolicella is also a great match for a rich tomato ragu or pizza, particularly if it involves some vegetarian “meats”, like soy mince or seitan chunks.
Herbs That Pair Well With Valpolicella
Valpolicella has some interesting notes of peppercorn and warm baking spices in its profile, so we recommend pairing like with like. Try to pair this wine with dishes that contain cinnamon, nutmeg, cacao nibs, and black or white pepper.
Food That Does Not Pair Well With Valpolicella
As we mentioned earlier, Valpolicella is a very versatile pairing for food. The only thing you should really stay away from is overly acidic foods, like a piece of fish doused in vinegar and lemon juice. However, Valpolicella can stand up to quite a bit of acid, so it will take some doing to find a dish that ruins this wine.
Best Foods To Eat With Valpolicella
With its intense sour cherry and dark chocolate profile, Valpolicella brings all the charming flavours of a bold red, with a lighter body. It will be best when paired with lighter meats, sharp cheeses or earthy vegetable dishes. These are your best options:
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Salmon
- Grilled vegetables
- Vegetarian pasta or pizza
