Spaghetti and meatballs and Nerello Mascalese

Spaghetti and meatballs is a really rich pasta dish you need to wash down with a refreshing red - preferably Italian.

In my broader post on meatballs I recommend a Sicilian red and found it again hit the spot at a preview for a new Italian restaurant Bosco in my neighbourhood this weekend.

It was a simple, young (2015) Nerello Mascalese (the name of the grape) from Cantine Paolini which despite its modest 12% cut through the rich tomato sauce perfectly and was great value at £5 a glass. You can buy it locally in Bristol from Corks of Cotham for £8.49 and from Bottle Apostle in London for £8.10 a bottle.

Although I didn’t drink it right through the meal - I confess I kicked off with a negroni! - it would also have paired well with the salume (cured meats) and cheese.

The best wine pairings with meatballs