Pretty in Pink: Italian Wines Paired with International Flavors #WorldWineTravel

This month the combined wine writers are sharing international pours for Valentines' Day. Deanna of Wineivore is hosting us!

The #WorldWineTravel Valentine Wines List

• A Love Letter to Wine by Side Hustle Wino

• Chef's Private Dinner at our Resort in Mexico by Our Good Life

• Fair Verona and the Romance of Valpolicella from Crushed Grape Chronicles

• J'aime partager le vin et la vie avec vous from A Day in the Life on the Farm

• Pretty in Pink: Italian Wines Paired with International Flavors by Culinary Cam (you're here)

• Valentine's Amore: Sharing Luigi Righetti Amarone della Valpolicella by Vino Travels

• Valentine's Day Wines: A Wine for Everyone to Love by Wineivore

Pretty in Pink: Italian Wines Paired with International Flavors

It's no surprise that I opted for Italian pinks for my Valentines' Day pairing inspiration. I just love the range of hues in Rosato bottles.

San Salvatore Vetere Rosato 2024, Campania

A single varietal from Campania, the 2024 San Salvatore Vetere Rosato is made from organically grown Aglianico grapes. Vetere comes from the Latin word 'vetus', which means 'old.'

The grapes are gently pressed before being fermented in stainless steel tanks. This wine poured the palest blush hue with aromas of vibrant red fruit and hints of garrigue and wild roses. On the palate, the wine was balanced and elegant.

I decided to pair the wine from Campania with a pasta dish that hails from Naples, Campania's capital city: Pasta Puttanesca. This dish packs an aromatic punch, thanks to a generous helping of garlic, anchovies, capers, and olives. I also had a citrus salad with green olives and pickled onions and a mozzarella and pickled beet salad.

Masciarelli Villa Gemma Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo 2024, Abruzzo

This pink wine was also a single varietal made from 100% Montepulciano with a 24-hour maceration on the skins that lent the wine its characteristic cherry red color. Savory and meaty, the wine also boasts floral aromas with a tantalizing minerality and nuances of fresh mint.

I poured this wine with a Caribbean-inspired dinner of St. Lucia-Style Beans and Rice, Grilled Chicken with Homemade Jerk Seasoning, Caribbean Coleslaw, and fried plantains.

Tenuta Guado al Tasso Scalabrone Rosato 2023, Bolgheri

This is the first Rosato I'm sharing that is a blend of grapes none of which are indigenous to Italy! Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon are blended in this fun, peony-colored wine. On the nose I got an intriguing blend of bell pepper, herbs, citrus, and red cherries. On the palate the wine was layered and complex with a persistent finish.

For this wine I went with steamed clams, shrimp risotto, and blanched asparagus, a veggie that it notoriously difficult to pair. This Rosato was a delicious match for all of that.

Podere Ruggeri Corsini Langhe Rosato 2024

If you follow my blog, you have probably seen me mention my love of Nebbiolo a time for two. Usually, however, it's in the form of a Barolo. This Rosata is a single varietal - 100% Nebbiolo from the Langhe. Made by married couple Loredana Addari and Nicola Argamante, the grapes come from a one-acre parcel that they planted in 2002. The grapes and hand-harvested before a short maceration on the skins followed by a pressing into stainless steel for a 4 to 5 month fermentation.

This wine has a plethora of red fruit on the nose such as strawberries and raspberries while on the palate it is lusciously layered and deceivingly dry. The label is a painting by a friend who gave it to Nicola and Lori at their wedding.

I served this wine clams and mussels steamed in a fennel broth.

Feudi di San Gregorio San Greg Rosato 2024, Campania

Like the San Salvatore, this is also a 100% Aglianico. On the nose I got florals and berries, but on the palate the wine was meatier with a full mouthfeel of herbaceous thyme and salty lanolin.

I poured this wine with a Portuguese-inspired Arroz de Pato, duck rice.

I will get around to posting all these recipes, soon!, but I have had a trying couple of week dealing with an issue at a school for which I serve as the president of the board of trustees. Apologies for the delay. The group will return next month with Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm hosting us to share and discuss Vin Chaud. Stay tuned!