ITALIAN WINE Pairings for the Autumn Season and Holiday Celebrations

Fall brings forth a bounty of delicous fresh fruit and vegetables, and also offers an abundance of fabulous Italian wines that are ideal to pair with the season's flavors. Whether you're entertaining for the holidays, buying a gift or dining out, be sure to look for fine Italian wines. They are both accessible and affordable.

Broadwayworld.com recently attended a special tasting hosted by the Italian Trade Commission (ITA) at Corso Como, the lovely new Italian restaurant located in the heart of New York City's South Street Seaport. We were delighted to taste red, white, rose, and sparkling wines from many of the twenty wine regions in Italy that include Friuli, Piedmont, Tuscany, Umbria, Veneto, and Sicily. ITA promotes Italian export and investments abroad. Their "Taste the Passion" campaign has a mission to educate Americans about Italian culture, heritage and culture. It is an enticing, vibrant campaign that will surely interest both novice and experienced wine enthusiasts.

We have listed some grape varieties native to Italy that are found in the country's wines along with perfect food pairings, courtesy of the experts at ITA. We are sure you will enjoy sipping and savoring Italian wines with friends and family during throughout the festive season ahead.

-Nebbiolo: Pair powerfully tannic, earthy Nebbiolo with wild mushroom risotto, pumpkin gnocchi with mushrooms and sage, stuffed acorn squash with balsamic roasted mushrooms or roasted pork with chestnuts and pumpkin.

-Nerello Mascalese: Pair medium-bodied, smoy Nerello Mascalese with butternut squash ravioli with brown butter and sage, butternut squash soup with curry, balsamic roasted brussels sprouts with bacon (or pancetta) and pumpkin gnocchi with mushrooms.

-Cesanese: Pair with root vegetables and seasonal pastas such as: ricotta and glazed fig ravioli with brown butter chestnut sauce, stuffed spaghetti squash with mushrooms and chili, macaroni and cheese with butternut squash and sweet potato mash.

-Schiava: Pair this light-bodied, aromatic wine with anything roasted with sage and rosemary, including: rosemary roasted chicken with sweet potatoes, celery root and parsnips, gingered pears and parsnips, spiced pear compote with roasted duck breast and cauliflower gratin.

-Ribolla Gialla: Match the richness of fall flavors with a white wine that has a little more body and fleshiness. Pair with: pumpkin chestnut soup, celery root puree, roasted parsnips with honey apricot glaze, garlic roasted pork chops with cauliflower gratin or turnips with olive oil and rosemary.

-Vermentino: The perfect wine for autumnal fish dishes such as stuffed red grouper with garlic, sage and lemon and halibut with brown butter roasted cauliflower and hazelnuts.

Discover, experience and enjoy Italian Wines. To learn more about Italy's wine regions, and news from the ITA, visit their web site at http://extraordinaryitalianwine.us/.

Follow ITA on social media: Instagram @italianwinesusa; Facebook @ItalianWinesUSA; Twitter @ItalianWinesUSA. Use the hashtags #TasteThePassion #DrinkItalian #ItalianWines

Photo Credit: Copyright Cantina Vecchiatore

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