Wine pairings for Mezza Rigatoni con Zucchini.
White: Trebbiano from La Valentina, Masciarelli and Valori
Zucchini shows a lot of earthy and herbal notes that subtly exude freshness. Many Italian white wines mimic this flavor pattern. However, one in particular echoes zucchini’s juicy innards – Trebbiano.
Trebbiano is a grape that is widely (and, generally, correctly) known for its ubiquity. It’s frequently blended with other grapes and rarely shows excellence. When it’s remarkable as a stand-alone variety, it tends to be made in a rich and frequently oxidative style. Such a style would over-power this spring-inspired dish. Happily, determined winemakers have been making fresh styles of mineral, lightly herbal Trebbiano with medium-bodied mid-palates for a while now. Many are technically correct but still bland in flavor. To find a flavor-laden bottle that won’t break the bank at less than $20 each, look for the entry-level wines of La Valentina, Masciarelli and Valori.
Check out our recipe for Mezza Rigatoni con Zucchini.
Cin cin!
Christy Canterbury, Master of Wine (MW)
Wine Editor
@canterburywine
