People enjoy their Italian food for a multitude of reasons — the flavour, the comforting recipe, or the cultural connection. Many individuals in Newcastle love every aspect of Italian food and drink; however, very few know how to pick the wine or cocktail that will complement their dish. When the food and drink pair well together, they work with the dish to balance and elevate the joy in every bite. In this section, we present simple ways to pair Italian food and drinks — cocktails and wines — for a great dining experience.
Pairing: Why it matters
Food and drinks work together to enhance flavours; wine and cocktails can enhance the flavour of pasta, pizza, or other favourites! When the food is rich and complemented with cream, a drink should have sharp and refreshing elements to cut through the richness. However, if the dish has heat and smokiness, a softer and smoother wine would create balance. Pairing successfully creates balance and harmony on the palate.
The Perfect Drink Match for Pastas
Pasta is one of the most consumed foods featured in Italian cuisine. The type of pasta sauce determines the best drink pairing with it. Creamy pasta, such as Alfredo or Carbonara, is best paired with a crisp, white wine. The freshness of white wine balances the creaminess each time you take a bite.
Pasta with tomato sauce is best paired with a medium-bodied red wine. The acidity in the tomato will help balance the flavour of the wine. If you enjoy seafood pasta, a light white wine would be perfect. The wine will not overpower the light taste of the seafood.
Cocktails can also be a great match with pasta. Fruity cocktails will cut through the richness of heavy pasta, which brings freshness to the meal. A light cocktail made of lemon or mint can also pair beautifully with seafood pasta and have the same effect.
Pizza and Drink Pairings
There are so many kinds of pizza; you can match a different drink to the pizza each time. A classic Margherita pizza would pair best with a light, not too heavy red wine. This balanced drink will complement, not overwhelm, the pizza’s soft flavours. On the other hand, pepperoni pizza can be flamboyant and therefore needs a drink to balance the flavour. A crisp cocktail or a full-bodied red wine creates the right match for your pepperoni pizza pairing.
Vegetable toppings for pizza go best with fresh cocktails, including herbs or citrous, that will highlight the veggies’ natural flavours. In fact, white wine could also have very decent results, especially for all your light-topped pizzas.
Ideal Drinks for the Meat Course
Italian meat dishes have a lot of flavours that are rich. A rich course must fit with a rich drink. A full-bodied red wine aligns well, especially if you have steak or braised meats; it stands up to rich foods better.
If you enjoy meat dishes that fit with herbs and spices, then just a balanced red wine will suffice. Cocktails with citrous or bitters help to cut the richness of the meat and freshen your taste for the next bite of meat.
Seafood and Its Pairings
Seafood is lighter than meat, so you will need a lighter beverage as well. White wine is a classic and offers nice flavour profiles with fish and seafood while also cleaning the palate.
If cocktails are your preference, choose something with a citrous base. Cocktails with lemon pair particularly well with prawns, squid, or fish, enhancing those subtle flavours without overpowering them.
Dessert and Cocktail Pairings
Italian desserts are known the world over. Tiramisu is rich and creamy, making a dessert wine or coffee cocktail pairing perfect matches. Both dessert wines and coffee cocktails pair perfectly well because they enhance the chocolate and coffee flavours already in the food.
Gelato, especially fruity options, pairs well with a sparkling wine. The bubbles in sparkling beverages make gelato a unique mix, light and exciting with every bite. Sweet note cocktails will work well, too.
Enjoying Drinks with Antipasti
Antipasti consists of cheese, cold cuts, olives, or vegetables. A bright white or sparkling wine pairs nicely with these appetisers. They promote a cleansing of the palate that prepares you for the main dinner course. A fresh, fruity cocktail can help boost flavours and the experience even further.
Regional Wine and Food Pairing
Italy is recognised for regional cuisine. Each area has its own foods and wines that coincide with one another. If you like to play with your flavours, try pairing dishes from the same region with their local wines. This will reinforce a genuine Italian moment without leaving Newcastle!
Suggestions for a More Favourable Pairing
The goal of this pairing is balance. Light dishes are complemented by a lighter drink, whereas richer dishes will complement a stronger drink. A white or sparkling wine has acidity that cuts through richer or creamier sauces, and a cocktail featuring citrous or herbs will promote food freshness. Just remember to play and have fun with your flavours!
Conclusion to Pair Italian Dishes with Drinks
There’s something extraordinary about pairing Italian dishes with cocktails or wine that enhances your dining experience. It doesn’t matter if it’s a plate of pasta, pizza, or dessert; the perfect drink amplifies the flavours in every bite. In Newcastle, there are many chances to try different varieties of Italian food that are paired with interesting and great-tasting drinks. With a little guidance, you can put something really special on your plate.
In Forno’s adventure began in 2020—the year that a passionate pizzaiolo fulfilled his dream of opening his own restaurant. At In Forno, we can assure you every plate is made with love and perfection. From grandmother’s traditional recipes to our cosy and warm venue, we can assure you an unforgettable food adventure. Don’t just eat it; experience it! Book now and begin your Italian food adventure.
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