During this time of the year, nothing makes me feel more alive and in tune with the season than preparing a great feast to share with family and friends. But let's not forget an equally great wine to pair with it all.
First, let me clarify what I mean by "preparing a great feast." Not that I don't like to cook, because I do, but who wants to spend all their time in the kitchen when the weather outside is incredible? You can prepare what looks and tastes like a great feast relatively quick and easy.
The great feast I have in mind is only going to take five chopping blocks and serving trays. Five keeps it simple while covering all the bases. Use one tray for cheeses, one for charcuterie or to serve a sauté of mushrooms; use a third one for cut-up veggies, another for fruits and the last one for the sweets.
Now the really important part: what to serve with this assortment of foods and flavors?
One of my favorite wineries is Frescobaldi. I love that it is located in Tuscany, one of the most beautiful and romantic regions of the world. I also love that the current weather reminds me of the region: warmer days, cooler nights, lower humidity. All that's missing are the rolling hills.
What better time than the onset of autumn to turn our attention to the Luce della Vite 2008 Lucente Super Tuscan wine? A blend of Sangiovese, merlot and cabernet sauvignon, the wine is so dark it will turn your teeth a beautiful purple color that only a delicious red wine can. Lots of dark fruit makes it perfect for earthy flavors, but it can also be a complement to aged and firm cheeses. Try it with chocolate, almond or white chocolate macadamia nut biscotti.
I had the Lucente with a Tuscan white bean soup. "Lucente" means "shiny" in Italian, and this wine shines through with its versatility making almost any dish stand out as if you'd spent all day in the kitchen. The earthy flavors of the beans blend delightfully with the herbs and vegetables, and it's a pretty amazing pairing when taking into account that the soup was made with white wine.
Another wine from Frescobaldi that will have you wishing you lived in eternal autumn is the Nipozzano Riserva 2007 Chianti Rufina. Just typing the name makes my mouth water. The wine is aged 24 months in barrel, and herb and spice aromas waft up to envelop your nose when you open a bottle. Castello di Nipozzano was built in the year 1000 as a fortress to protect the namesake village located just 15 minutes from Rufina. The castle is now used to age and protect wine from the likes of you and me until it is ready for release.
The Nipozzano Chianti Rufina is warm and friendly on the palate and is so down to earth that it can be paired with almost any food. It will show off its best features when served with fresh olives, sautéed mushrooms or Caciocavallo cheese and salami. Take a glass of the Nipozzano all the way to dessert and serve it with Crema Gianduia alle Nocciole (chocolate hazelnut cream). I spread the gianduia over plain Galleta Maria (Maria cookies).
This article appears in Oct 27 – Nov 2, 2011.