As evenings grow longer and temperatures grow cooler, nothing pairs better with the flavors of fall than a glass of Italian red wine!
Italy’s most celebrated reds are perfect for elevating your favorite fall dishes, but which one is the right choice for you? The finest Italian red wines below are ready for you to sip, savor, and pair with ease on your next visit to Osteria IL Centro!
1. Chianti Classico Riserva
Chianti is one of Italy’s most famous wines and is celebrated globally for its iconic acidity and food-friendly character. Chianti Classico Riserva stands out as the premium expression, crafted from carefully selected Sangiovese grapes and aged for greater depth and structure. Chianti Classico Riserva’s strong acidity and tannins are a result of the high Sangiovese content.
This refined Italian red is medium-bodied with lively acidity and notes of sour cherry, dried herbs, leather, and subtle oak. Chianti Classico Riserva is exceptionally age-worthy. As it matures, these flavors develop fully, further enhancing the wine’s complexity and depth. Chianti Classico Riserva perfectly bridges the gap between light summer wines and winter’s heavy reds. It pairs well with tomato-based pastas, hearty sausage, and roasted meat dishes.
2. Barolo
Barolo is often called the “King of Wines”. This classic Italian wine is crafted from 100% Nebbiolo grapes grown in Piedmont. This is another Italian wine that is a prime candidate for aging, which intensifies its elegance and structure.
Barolo is a full-bodied red with assertive tannins. Expect layered notes of dried cherry, rose petals, tar, leather, earth, and spice with hints of tobacco and truffle that develop with age. Barolo’s savory depth and firm backbone make an excellent fall wine. The structure and intensity of Barolo allow it to stand up to the heartiest of fall dishes, like short ribs or wild mushrooms.
3. Brunello di Montalcino
This wine takes its name from the hilltop town of Montalcino in southern Tuscany. It is produced from a special clone of Sangiovese known as Sangiovese Grosso or Brunello. The climate of southern Tuscany and the diverse soils give the wine remarkable depth and concentration.
The rustic sophistication of Brunello di Montalcino makes it a natural choice for fall. It is powerful, yet graceful, with aromas of dark cherry, plum, blackberry, leather, tobacco, cedar, and warm baking spices. The structure and earthy undertones of this wine pair well with roasted game birds, braised meats, and aged cheeses.
4. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, or more simply known as Abruzzo, is a favorite everyday red in Italy. It is produced primarily in the Abruzzo region along Italy’s eastern coast. The Mediterranean-influenced climate encourages rich fruit flavors and moderate acidity in the grapes, resulting in a versatile and approachable wine.
Abruzzo is often enjoyed young in comparison to other popular Italian wines and is medium- to full-bodied. It has complementary flavors of juicy blackberry, plum, and red cherry with accents of spice, leather, and earth. Its soft tannins and smooth mouthfeel make it ideal for pairing with a wide range of dishes, such as roasted chicken, sausage pastas, and caramelized onions.
5. Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella is one of the most luxurious Italian wines. It hails from the hills of Veneto in northeastern Italy, where the grapes – primarily Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara – are harvested and partially dried. The drying of the grapes enhances the flavors and aromas by concentrating the sugars. This creates a wine that is intensely rich and full-bodied.
Amarone is decadent and velvety with distinct flavors of dried fig, raisin, dark cherry, chocolate, and baking spice layered with those of tobacco, leather, and dried herbs. The sweetness of this wine is balanced by grippy tannins and robust complexity.
