A Master Sommelier’s Guide to Pairing Pasta & Wine | The Wine Show

Quick Overview

Master Sommelier Jonathan Eichholz and host Farideh Sadegh explore the pairing of traditional and modern Italian pasta dishes with Sangiovese-based wines, tasting a 2022 Tenuta di Carleone Chianti Classico ($35) and a 2022 Bakkanali Rosso Toscana Sangiovese ($60), concluding that the wine's bright, savory, and earthy structure expertly cuts through the richness of the pasta, particularly the Cacio e Pepe and Ravioli dishes.

Key Points: Jonathan Eichholz and Farideh Sadegh taste and discuss Italian pasta paired with Sangiovese wine, specifically the Tenuta di Carleone Chianti Classico 2022 (Retail Price: $35) and the Bakkanali Rosso Toscana Sangiovese 2022 (Retail Price: $60). The hosts sample three Roman pastas: Cacio e Pepe, Amatriciana, and Carbonara, noting that the wine's bright, savory, and earthy characteristics complement the richness of the dishes. Wine Director Michael Duffy of Massara explains that Brunello di Montalcino, being one of the oldest delineated wine regions, requires a minimum five-year aging period before release. The wine's structure is described as having bright red fruit that cuts through the fat of the pasta, and its savory, earthy, and bloody notes pair well with the rich sauces. The group also samples pasta from Roscioli (Cacio e Pepe, Ravioli, Amatriciana) and discusses the modern approach to Italian wine pairing, contrasting it with older, more traditional styles. Chef Taylor Hester, Culinary Director, is shown preparing dishes including pasta cooked with guanciale and potatoes, and ravioli finished with tomato sauce and basil.

Context: The video features Master Sommelier Jonathan Eichholz and host Farideh Sadegh exploring Italian wine pairings, specifically focusing on the Sangiovese grape, the backbone of Tuscan wines like Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino. They visit two New York City restaurants, Roscioli and Massara, to taste various traditional and modern Italian pastas paired with these wines, discussing terroir, aging requirements, and flavor profiles in depth.