How to pair wine and truffles? Discover the right wine to accompany the prized underground mushroom in all its variations.
INDEX
- How to pair Truffles and Wine
- How to pair wine and black truffle
- How to pair wine and white truffle
- Examples of wine and truffle pairings
How to pair wine and truffles
The proper pairing of wine and truffle is fundamental for fully appreciating the delicacy of this gastronomic experience. Here are some guidelines:
Type of Truffle: It is recommended to match the wine with the specific type of truffle. The variety of truffles (White, Black, Summer) can influence the wine choice.
Balance of Truffle and Wine: It is important to avoid overpowering the delicate aroma of the truffle with the wine. Wines should be chosen to highlight, without dominating, the subtle aromas and intense flavor of the truffle.
Ingredients: Since truffle often accompanies other ingredients, the choice of wine should consider the combination with the main elements of the dish.
Red, White, or Sparkling Wine: Red, white, and sparkling wines can all be suitable, provided they have a rich aromatic profile without excessive body. Aged wines are particularly recommended.
- White Wines: Ideal for pasta dishes, eggs, or raw meat.
- Red Wines: Suitable for grilled or stewed red meat.
- Sparkling Wines: Indicated for fatty or fried dishes, or raw meat, preferably in the Classic Method.
Territorial Harmony: Territorial pairing can be a valuable guide.
WHICH WINE TO PAIRING WITH BLACK TRUFFLE?
The Precious Black Truffle of Norcia (Tuber Melanosporum) is distinguished by a pronounced aromatic profile characterized by hints of humus and moss, and an intense savoriness: the perfect choice to enhance, whether grated, fresh, or even cooked, first courses of pasta and meat dishes.
Among the “black truffles,” there are also the more common Scorzone, Summer, and Autumn truffles: less rich and prized, they are the ideal choice for flavored butters, the seasoning of cheese crostinis and fillings, destined for pastas and roasts.
How to accompany the fragrance and the captivating persistence of the Black Truffle in combination with pasta dishes? A perfumed white wine, with good structure and length, well-balanced in freshness and acidity, and smooth on the palate, can be ideally recommended.
The Black Truffle (Melanosporum) is harvested from mid-November to mid-March, while the Summer Black Truffle (Scorzone – Tuber aestivum) is collected from mid-May to late August. In Italy, it is found in regions such as Umbria, Tuscany, Marche, Abruzzo, and around Norcia.
WHICH WINE TO PAIRING WITH WHITE TRUFFLE?
Il Precious White Truffle (Tuber Magnatum), renowned in the Langhe and Monferrato regions, is widespread in Italy, especially in the Central Apennines.
Characterized by fragrant aromas reminiscent of garlic, Parmesan, and the undergrowth, it has a more intense and pungent taste compared to the Black Truffle of Norcia. It is strictly used raw, sliced into thin slivers, to season beef carpaccio, fondues, risottos, and pastas, such as the typical Piedmontese tajarin.
Belonging to the same family is the Bianchetto (Tuber Albidum). Less rare and with more intense garlicky notes, it is used fresh to enrich pasta dishes and raw meats.
What wines to pair with the White Truffle? Sparkling, white, and red wines, aromatic and persistent, with a silky taste and a never excessive structure, should be selected based on the dish in which the Truffle is added.
The White Truffle (Tuber Magnatum) is mainly harvested in autumn, between October and January. In Italy, it is found primarily in Piedmont, Tuscany, and Umbria.
EXAMPLES OF TRUFFLE WINE PAIRING
Let’s discover together the best examples of wine and truffle pairings recommended to understand which wine to pair with truffles on every occasion.
Timorasso
What wine to pair with Truffle Tagliolini? Classic White Truffle Tajarin pairs well with aged Piedmontese white wines like Timorasso. Also, worth trying with Vernaccia di San Gimignano Riserva, Fiano, Etna Bianco, and Riesling.
The complex and multifaceted aromas of these wines range from fruity floral notes, which with aging develop mineral and hydrocarbon undertones, perfectly complementing dishes enhanced by Truffle.
Barolo
What wines enhance the best the Truffle-infused Beef Fillet?
Alongside this culinary delicacy, it is recommended to savor a robust and structured red wine. Among the ideal choices stand out Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino, Cabernet Sauvignon, or a Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
The complexity and depth of these red wines harmoniously marry with the aromatic richness of Truffle, creating a sublime gustatory union.
Pinot Nero
To elegantly accompany Truffle Risotto, choosing rich and enveloping white wines is the winning choice. Pinot Nero, Etna Rosso, or a high-quality Dolcetto are excellent options.
These white wines bring freshness and complexity, highlighting the creaminess of the risotto and enhancing the aromatic nuances of the Truffle, providing an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
Alta Langa
What wine to pair with eggs and white truffle? Thanks to its fragrant notes of dried fruit and croissant, imparted by lengthy yeast aging, as well as its sapidity and freshness, a Classic Method sparkling wine can be an excellent pairing option.
An exemplary pairing for Wine with Eggs and White Truffle from Alba, showcasing the region’s exquisite terroir, could be the Alta Langa Classic Method.
Alternatively, try pairing wine with eggs and truffle with other Italian Classic Method sparkling wines such as Franciacorta, Trento DOC, or Oltrepò Pavese Classic Method.
Brunello di Montalcino
The Rossini-style Fillet, with its exclusivity, demands an equally prestigious oenological companion. High-quality red wines, such as Barbaresco, Amarone della Valpolicella, Syrah, or a Reserve Malbec, emerge as excellent choices. The complexity and intensity of these red wines splendidly marry the richness and sophistication of the Rossini-style Fillet, creating a gastronomic pairing for true gourmets.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano Riserva
What wine to pair with Truffle Ravioli?
The Vernaccia di San Gimignano Riserva boasts prolonged aging, good structure, and sapidity. Furthermore, with evolution, it develops complex aromas of seasalt and briny notes reminiscent of the soil of San Gimignano, rich in marine fossils.
It’s an excellent wine pairing for Truffle dishes, especially for egg pasta dishes like Truffle Ravioli and Tagliolini.
Chianti Classico
If the truffle is used to accompany a fillet with black truffle, then examples of pairings could be wines with good structure and balance such as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Chianti Classico, and Aglianico.
In the case of grilled or stewed red meat seasoned with white truffle, you can also opt for wines of great complexity such as Barolo, Barbaresco, Amarone, Brunello, and Taurasi.
Barbera
Quando pregiate scaglie di tartufo bianco vanno a impreziosire un carpaccio di Carne all’Albese, un’ottima scelta di abbinamento col vino può essere la fresca e profumata Barbera. La buona acidità ma la struttura moderata della Barbera saranno ideali per accompagnare un piatto delicato come un Carpaccio di Carne al Tartufo.
In alternativa considera anche Pinot Nero, Etna Rosso o un Valpolicella Classico.
Verdicchio Riserva
When prized white truffle shavings enhance a Carpaccio of Beef all’Albese, an excellent wine pairing choice can be the fresh and fragrant Barbera. The good acidity but moderate structure of the Barbera will be ideal for accompanying a delicate dish like a Truffle-infused Beef Carpaccio.
Alternatively, also consider Pinot Nero, Etna Rosso, or a Valpolicella Classico.
Franciacorta
To enhance the flavors of Beef Tartare with Truffle, the choice of wine must be equally refined.
Sparkling wines such as Franciacorta or Trento DOC are options that emphasize the freshness and delicacy of the raw meat, while the presence of Truffle adds a touch of luxury and intensity to the overall sensory experience.
Which wine to pair with Truffle?
Which wine to pair with Truffle? Choosing is a daunting task, inevitably subject to the limits of subjective opinion, which, by definition, is deficient and arbitrary.
We have simply compiled a list of our favorite interpretations based on our evaluations. However, it is essential to emphasize that wine does not arise as a status symbol, to be displayed or flaunted in front of the public.
Instead, it exists to evoke emotions and be genuinely shared with the people we love, connecting to contingent situations and the unrepeatable, intimate moments of our lives.
Therefore, we invite you to visit wineries and get to know producers who craft wines in their uniqueness, so you can discover and independently choose the wine that can be counted among your personal favorites to pair with Truffle. If you’ve had the patience to read this far, thank you for your attention, but now it’s time to fill the glasses and sever distant hopes, and so:
Cheers, Salute, Santé
Jean Marco Palmieri
