Whether it's a Sunday lunch, a lavish dinner, or an aperitif with friends, every enjoyable meal should be accompanied by a good glass of wine.
Like wine, Parmigiano can have a thousand different nuances and pair better with some dishes than others.
But what are the best wine and Parmigiano Reggiano pairings? Let's find out together!
Wine and Parmigiano pairings: pay attention to aging
The production process of Parmigiano is unique, but it is the aging that gives it different and unique aromas and consistencies.
There isn't just one wine to pair with Parmigiano, just as there isn't just one Parmigiano to pair with wine!
Younger wheels pair well with white wines thanks to their acidic note, while as the months go by, the wine chosen should be more robust and structured.
12-18 month Parmigiano and sparkling wine
12 months is the minimum aging required for DOP cheeses.
At this "age", the cheese is still tender, with a harmonious, delicate, and pleasantly sweet flavor, with acidic notes of yogurt and fresh fruit.
It's perfect as an aperitif paired with sparkling white wines or, if you prefer a super-Emilian combination, try 18-month Parmigiano Reggiano with a good glass of Lambrusco.
36-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano and Tuscan reds
Savored alone or incorporated into your recipes, the 36-month is the secret weapon to surprise guests and give a flavorful and lively touch to any dish.
The more sustained, yet intermediate, aging pairs magnificently with non-coastal Tuscan reds and young Piedmontese wines.
To add a chic and intriguing touch to your aperitif, you can even dare to try a rosé.
Pairing wine with slow aging
From 48 months onwards, things start to get serious. Parmigiano acquires spicy notes and an increasingly intense and pungent taste, with hints of wood and dried fruit.
This cheese pairs with bottles that, like itself, are best savored on their own.
Thus, in a moment of relaxation, you can pair a shard of 60-month Parmigiano with a glass of Amarone, Barolo, a Super Tuscan, or even better, the so-called "meditation wines," intense and aromatic, like Moscato or Passito.
Wine and 100-month Parmigiano Reggiano pairings
Rare, precious, and with an enveloping taste, 100-month Parmigiano Reggiano takes more than 8 years to release notes of cocoa, tobacco, and spices. On tasting, it is unexpectedly sweet and not at all spicy.
Its unique flavor finds excellent company in Portuguese fortified wines, such as Port or Madeira, while those with more patriotic tastes can opt for a delicious Marsala.
You can purchase 100-month Parmigiano Reggiano in our online shop.
Enjoy your tasting!
