On St. Paddy’s Day, I’m as Irish as the next person. Yet, for as much as I love Irish literature and music, just for starters, I don’t buy into their famed (and clichéd) luck as a people. A history of poverty, potato famine and oppression doesn’t equate to luck for me. To top that off, the emerald isle lacks vineyards.
But Italy, now there’s a lucky nation. The boot is perfectly situated for growing winegrapes, and Italy’s wine output rivals that of France. Italy is perhaps unmatched for indigenous grape varieties, too. In the Veneto, winemakers blend Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara into lively, sometimes raisiny Valpolicella. Sangiovese rules the Chianti region of Tuscany, where it is also known as Brunello di Montalcino. The 2010 Brunello is a hot topic on cyberspace right now. The Piedmont is world-renowned for long-lasting, 100 percent Nebbiolo-based Barolo and Barbaresco and high-acid, low-tannin, food-friendly Barbera. Go South to find Taurasi, made from the bold red variety Aglianico grape, or Sicily’s indigenous red variety, Nero d’Avola, to name just a few.
Italians match these gorgeous and unique wines with tomato-based classics, such as pasta drenched in Marinara sauce and everyone’s favorite, pizza. Who doesn’t love pizza topped with a little Parmigiano Reggiano and served up with a Chianti or Lambrusco? Yes, whether it’s meats, cheeses or an antipasto salad, local Italian cooking goes with Italian wine.
That’s why I say Italians are lucky.
We all can’t be Italians, or Irish, for that matter, and not every country’s wine needs to match its own homegrown foods. Take German Riesling, for example. An off-dry Auslese Riesling’s sweetness tames a red curry Thai chicken dish. Likewise, a lightly sweet Moscato d’Asti nicely complements the heat of Mexican enchiladas or tacos.
No doubt traditionalists will pour themselves a Guinness or Jameson this St. Paddy’s Day. If you want to try your luck mixing and matching your food and beverage, I suggest holding the cabbage (rarely a good choice with wine) and serving up that corned beef sandwich on rye bread. Add French fries, cole slaw and a pickle. Now you’ve got yourself a New York Jewish Irish St. Paddy’s Day special!
What to serve with that? Why not a Rioja? That’s right – head over to the Spain aisle at your favorite wine store. Right now, I’m enjoying an El Cotos Rioja Crianza 2010 that sells in my local state store for$13.99. I’m getting black and red fruit on the nose and a smoky clove and cinnamon spiciness on the palate. Upgrade to an older Rioja Gran Reserva for more developed flavor. I’m dreaming about that corned beef on rye right now…
Thank you, my Irish friends, for bringing us this fun-loving holiday. Thank you, Italians, for, well, everything really. Have yourself a great multicultural St. Paddy’s Day!