Pairings | Arneis

White or red wine? What's the best pairing for risotto?

Posted by Fiona Beckett (Google+) on February 11 2022 at 07:15

Talking about wine matches for risotto is a bit like talking about wine with pasta - it’s depends on the other ingredients you use, not the rice.

That said it’s usually a delicate, creamy sort of dish which is served among the primi (first courses) on an Italian menu and generally suits a white better than a red. It’s also typical of the northern half of Italy rather than the south, particularly the Piedmont area which points to an Italian white from that region.

Spring vegetable risotto

With a light risotto made with spring vegetables like asparagus or courgette (zucchini) flowers or with seafood like shrimp or prawns I’d drink a Gavi, Soave or a Roero Arneis or - and this might surprise you - a glass of dryish* prosecco.

Seafood risotto

If the risotto was a bit richer - made with crab or scallops for example - I’d go for a richer white wine but still one with some acidity - a light creamy chardonnay for example or a pinot bianco. Premier cru Chablis, although not local, would be a good match and I have enjoyed a crisp fresh-tasting sauvignon with this style of risotto

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