Wine pairings for Fusilli con Ricotta di Bufala
Bianco: La Spinetta Vermentino, Poggio al Tesoro Vermentino Solosole
Rosato: Cantine Colle Moro Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Cerasuolo, Nicodemi Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Cerasuolo
The ingredients in this Sunday Pasta are fairly neutral with the exception of the cherry tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes combine sweet with tang, making bianco and rosato wines with no tannin better than red wines. Additionally, wines that have no or only neutral oak are best so that the pasta’s clean flavors aren’t covered with notes of vanilla and toast.
Vermentino is the most characterful Tuscan white grape variety. Its floral notes meld nicely with the sweetness of the tomatoes. It also has some mid-palate plumpness and a lightly mouth-coating quality that allow it to work well texturally with the creamy mozzarella.
Italian rosatos often have tannin, especially those made with grapes grown in the north. You can often avoid these tannins by picking wines from Central and Southern Italy. You can also choose a grape from this area like Montepulciano, which is usually made in a less tannic style even for reds. Montepulciano has bright red fruits, which work perfectly with those cherry tomatoes. Like Vermentino, it tends to be smooth and round as well.
Check our our recipe for Fusilli con Ricotta di Bufala.
Cin cin!
Christy Canterbury, Master of Wine (MW)
Wine Editor
@canterburywine
