Top pairings | The best wine pairings for vitello tonnato

Pairings | Arneis

The best wine pairings for vitello tonnato

One of the best hot weather dishes, this piquant dish of cold poached or roast veal with a tuna, anchovy and caper mayonnaise invariably pops up on menus at this time of year. But what to pair with it?

* as it originally comes from Piedmont a Piedmontese white like Roero Arneis or a Gavi seems a good place to start. Other neutral dry Italian white wines such as a Vermentino or even a quality Pinot Grigio from the Alto Adige would be a good match too.

*It's not traditional but a mineral Chablis or Aligoté would work as would a mature Muscadet-sur-lie or an Albarino.

*Try a dry rosé - especially Provençal rosé (see also this longer list of good Provencal rosé pairings)

* Personally I think it’s more a white wine dish than a red but a young Langhe Nebbiolo or other light Italian red like a Valtellina or even a light red burgundy would work fine. (Not too lush and fruity a pinot in my opinion as the anchovies and capers will accentuate its sweetness. Italians rarely drink wines without a fair amount of acidity in them.)

Image © zoryanchik - Fotolia.com

If you found this post helpful and would like to support the website and keep it free for everyone to use it would be great if you could make a donation towards its running costs.

And for more hot tips and recommendations check out my Substack Eat This, Drink That, Live Well.

You may also enjoy …

Comments: 5 (Add)

Peter Larner on July 21 2021 at 11:25

Perfect lunch with La Scolca Gavi. Outdoor restaurant does it well in Lenno on Lake Como.

David Natt on October 23 2019 at 21:17

Make sure to use rose veal from Britain.

Harry Morris on July 19 2016 at 15:16

So, too, is thinly sliced breast of turkey. Cheaper still!

Fiona Beckett on August 7 2014 at 22:01

Good point, Hugh. And cheaper too!

Hugh johnson on August 7 2014 at 21:54

If veal is hard to find porco tonnato is almost as good. Slice it thin..

Recent posts …

About FionaAbout FionaAbout Matching Food & WineAbout Matching Food & WineWork with meWork with me
Loading