Wine pairings for Penne con con Peperoni Arrosto
Rosato: Taburno Aglianico Rosato, Feudi di San Gregorio Ros’Aura; Mastroberardino Lacyrma Christi del Vesuvio
Freshly roasted red peppers have an earthy, savory element. That means this pasta can isn’t quite a white wine pasta, but it would match a heartier rosé (or rosato) seamlessly. What I mean by a heartier rosato is a wine from a warmer area, which would generally (wine is full of exceptions) come from Tuscany and further south.
When I think of earthy black grape varieties, Aglianico, a native Italian grape grown in the south, is the first to come to mind. Aglianico has strong minerality and light gamey notes, too. The best-known area for this grape is Campania. One of my favorites is the cherry-colored rosato from the winery Taburno. The winemaker at Taburno used to make the wines at Feudi di San Gregorio, who makes a delicious rosato called Ros’Aura.
Another delicious option – that is a bit obscure in this country – is a rosato called Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio (there are also white and red versions). Vesuvio refers to the famous mountain whose explosion destroyed the ancient city of Pompeii and where the wine is made today. This rosato also has Aglianico, but it is primarily made of another native, southern grape called Piedirosso. The Mastroberardino winery, famous for bringing the Campania region into the Italian wine scene limelight, makes a fine example.
Buy two different rosato wines to compare while you’re roasting your peppers!
Check out our recipe for Penne con Peperoni Arrosto and our About post that gives a brief history on the dish.
Cin cin!
Christy Canterbury, Wine Editor.
