Chianti Wine Pairings: The Complete Guide to the Best Food and Wine Pairings
Looking for the best Chianti wine pairings to enhance your favorite dishes? You've come to the right place. Chianti is one of the world's most beloved Tuscan red wines, with over 500 years of history and a culinary versatility that makes it perfect for both traditional dishes and creative recipes.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll reveal 5 food and wine pairings that will enhance the fruity bouquet and soft tannins of Chianti, transforming your dinner into a sommelier-worthy experience. Whether you prefer Chianti Classico DOCG or Chianti Riserva, each pairing is designed to enhance the unique characteristics of this great Tuscan wine.
Why Chianti is Perfect for Many Pairings
Before exploring specific pairings, it's important to understand what makes Chianti so versatile in the kitchen. This Tuscan red wine has unique characteristics:
- Soft and velvety tannins: cleanse the palate of meat fats
- Lively acidity: enhances the flavour of foods and refreshes
- Complex aromatic profile: notes of cherry, violet, spices and undergrowth
- Medium-full body: holds structured dishes without overwhelming them
- Aging versatility: from young to Riserva, each has its ideal pairing
These qualities make Chianti the ideal companion for Tuscan and Mediterranean cuisine, but also for more creative dishes.
1. Grilled Beef Slices: The Iconic Pairing
Beef tagliata is the undisputed king of Chianti wine pairings. It's no coincidence that this is the most requested pairing in Tuscan restaurants: it works perfectly.
Why It Works
Red meat, cooked to perfection (medium-rare) and flavored with fresh rosemary, garlic, and Tuscan extra virgin olive oil, finds its ideal companion in Chianti. The wine's soft tannins cleanse the palate from the meat's richness, while the lively acidity enhances the beef's natural savoriness and contrasts pleasantly with the fatty flavors.
The Secret to the Perfect Match
- Choose a premium cut such as Florentine steak or sirloin
- Cook the meat on the grill or hot griddle (seal the outside well)
- Season only with coarse salt, black pepper, rosemary and a drizzle of raw EVO oil.
- Serve with rocket and parmesan shavings for a touch of freshness.
Borgunto Recommendation: Try our Chianti Riserva, aged 12 months in oak barrels. Its more pronounced tannic structure and the spicy notes provided by the wood are perfect for grilled red meats. Serve it at 18°C to bring out all its nuances.
2. Pappardelle with Wild Boar: Authentic Tuscan Tradition
Another timeless Tuscan classic that perfectly pairs with Chianti. This hearty and flavorful first course is a must-try in Chianti Classico trattorias.
The Harmony Between Wine and Sauce
The wild boar sauce is rich, gamey, and lightly spiced thanks to the long cooking process with herbs like bay leaves, juniper, thyme, and tomato. The Chianti, with its spicy aftertaste and good acidity, holds its own against the sauce's power without being overpowering, creating a perfect harmony with the fresh egg pasta.
How to Prepare the Perfect Pairing
- Use fresh pasta: wide pappardelle hold the sauce better.
- Cook the wild boar in a stew for at least 3 hours with red wine (ideally Chianti itself)
- Add a sauté of carrot, celery and red onion as a base
- Mix the pasta with the sauce and a spoonful of cooking water
Wine Pairing: A young Chianti (1-2 years old) with its freshness and liveliness is perfect for cutting through the fattiness of the sauce. If you prefer a more complex experience, opt for a Chianti Classico aged 3-4 years.
Want to Try Our Chianti?
At Borgunto, we produce Chianti Classico DOCG following traditional Tuscan methods, with grapes grown in our vineyards on the Chianti hills. Each bottle tells the story of our land and our passion for quality viticulture.
