Wine pairings for Orecchiette con Stracciatella
Bianco: Terlano I Grandi Cuvée, Prima Terra Harmoge
Rosso: Le Piane Maggiorina, Velenosi Roggio del Filare
Peace is ideally made with a blend of views, as are some of the world’s most interesting wines. For this pasta, such wines should accommodate the bright flavors of the tomatoes and basil. The wines will also need some bit of breadth, likely from time spent aging in oak. Old oak-aged wines are the way to go. New oak will add sweet spice flavors that will cover up the pasta’s delicate flavors.
Terlano’s I Grandi Cuvée is composed primarily of Pinot Bianco and Chardonnay, which give it a nicely round body that works with the stracciatella. Its 5% Sauvignon Blanc will pop with the basil. The Prima Terra Harmoge (50 % Vermentino, 30% Bosco, 20% Albarola) works in a similar way. The Vermentino’s florality marries with the basil, and the wine’s generosity in the mid-palate comes from aging on its yeast lees.
Because of the prominent role of the tomatoes, the red should be mid-weight and red-fruited. Reds from cooler climates generally work best. Le Piane’s Maggiorinia is a mix of Piedmont’s Nebbiolo, Croatina and Vespolina that is floral, spicy and highly refreshing. From the Marche, Velenosi’s cuvée of Sangiovese and Montepulciano is a bit fuller-bodied, but still mouthwatering, and sings of red berries that complement the tomatoes.
Check out the recipe for Orecchiette con Stracciatella.
Cin cin!
Christy Canterbury, Master of Wine (MW)
Wine Editor
@canterburywine
