The older I get, the more I enjoy indulging in pre-planned, drawn-out dinners with thoughtful meal planning and great company. Eating fresh, homemade food and pouring a glass of good wine for family and friends is truly one of life’s simple pleasures. It not only serves as a reminder to slow down and enjoy the small moments, (which really are the most significant), but it also forces us to take pause and be more mindful of the things that surround us. It’s the difference between a slice of warm, freshly baked bread on the table compared to a manufactured loaf. It’s the different taste of locally grown produce compared to a bag of frozen veggies from a big box store. The quality of what fills your plate on the table matters, and just as important, the quality of what you pour matters.
I chose to begin my cozy night in with a glass of Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico. Castello di Gabbiano is a sustainable certified winery that’s situated in the heart of Chianti Classico. It ticks all the boxes to create a genuine, slow evening that’s Italy-inspired. So, even when the destination is simply your kitchen table, a bottle of their Chianti Classico is the first step to set the mood for an authentic Italian night in.
Enjoy Italian red wine? Read: From Valpolicella to Canada: The Enduring Appeal of Cantina di Negrar
How to create a slow wine night in with Chianti Classico
To create this memorable Italian wine moment, I suggest you have the following things:
Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico
Pappardelle Bolognese (recipe below)
“The Perfect Italian Dinner” Spotify playlist
Why this pairing works
A hearty Bolognese sauce originates from the region of Emilia-Romagna, but since this area shares a border with Tuscany, many of their culinary traditions overlap. Tuscany, however, is the historic home of Pappardelle pasta, which makes a perfect vehicle for Bolognese with its wide base that easily carries the meat sauce.
Chianti Classico is deeply rooted in Tuscan wine culture and has a rich history within the Chianti wine producing region. These Italian wines are primarily made up of the Sangiovese grape, that offers food-friendly, high-acidity and firm tannins, with notes of tart red cherry, earth, and dried herbs. These structural aspects and flavours deliver gastronomic harmony with tomato-based dishes that include dried herbs and rich meats.
Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico D.O.C.G
This wine opens with delicate aromas of red plums, thyme, cranberry and leather. The palate is clean, yet umami-infused, with fine grained, feathery tannins that carry notes of dried herbs, dried cranberry and forest floor. The flavours deepen to prune and black olive on a persistent finish.
Savour the Moment, One Sip at a Time
So put away the screens, turn on some mellow music, and indulge in a long wine dinner that’s Tuscan inspired. Connect to your food, connect to your wine and connect with each other to find the romance in everyday life again, one small sip at a time!
Castello di Gabbiano Winery, Chianti:
