Complete your vicarious food & wine tour of Emilia-Romagna with these wines chosen to complement the four menus. In collaboration with importer Christian Canala & Mercato Wines.
One of the highlights of my small group food & wine tours to Emilia-Romagna is a visit to boutique winery Pandolfa. At this beautiful estate, in the foothills of the Apennine Mountains bordering Tuscany, we visit the vineyards by tractor-drawn cart. After seeing the gorgeous vista from the top of the property we walk through an ancient tunnel with co-owner Alice into the grand 18th century Villa Pandolfa for a private tasting of their Pandolfa and Noelia Ricci wines. I’m excited to be able to share three of these very special wines with you, plus a Bardolino from neighbouring Veneto.
Menu 1 – Noelia Ricci ‘Bro’ Trebbiano 2022
Trebbiano is the region’s most popular white wine and, at its best as we find here, it has delicate notes of orange blossom, lemon zest and stone fruit. I love the way this complex wine with hints of apricot and salted pistachio plays against both the buttery passatelli and fresh seafood salad in this menu. There’s a nice lick of salt on the finish too.
Menu 2 – Lenotti Bardolino Classico 2021
This blend of corvina and rondinella with a splash of molinara is a delicious soft red (almost pinot noir like) that’s perfect with both the duck and porcini in this menu; it works beautifully with the salmon version too. Half way between a big rosé and a red wine, it bursts with cherry and spice and can even take a light chilling if you fancy.
Menu 3 – Pandolfa ‘Federico’ Sangiovese 2022
Sangiovese is the classic red wine of Emilia-Romagna and, in traditional style, the Federico has notes of dark red fruit and sweet star anise on the nose. I love the play of its earthy tannins with the spinach and beetroot leaves of the pie and the touch of acid to lift the sweetness of the tomato salad. It’s great with the salumi and gnocchi fritti too.
Menu 4 – Pandolfa ‘Ginevra’ Rosato 2022
I love a full-bodied rosato and sangiovese-based Ginevra delivers on all fronts. It’s light enough to pair with the chicken (or prawn) salad in this menu, and bold enough to meet the mustard fruit and sweet balsamic vinegar head-on. Lovely notes of raspberries and plum with a great balanced acidity.
Please call Jianna on (08) 8337 1808 with any questions.
Prices include GST. Mercato supports the responsible service of alcohol and therefore all deliveries are to be received and signed for by a person of 18 years of age or over. It is against the law to sell or supply alcohol to, or to obtain alcohol on behalf of, a person under the age of 18 years.
