What wine to pair with Short Ribs?
By Marisa D'Vari | July 19th, 2009 | Category: Wine reviews | No Comments »
"What wine should I have with short ribs?" As a food and wine pairing expert, I am often asked about what to drink with what one eats. Recently I was offered a glass of wine "blind" (meaning I did not know its country of origin or varietal) and found it intensely flavorful and delicious.
My first thought was that it was an Amarone, yet it did not have the characteristic nose of an Amarone. Still the rich, succulent, luxurious flavors of chocolate, mocha, and dried fig led me in that direction. "Hmmm," I asked myself, still not knowing much about the wine other than that it was Italian and very Amarone-like in presentation. "What would I eat with this?"
The answer was short ribs. Why? Short ribs are savory, and have a hint of sweetness to them, as does this wine. Ribs are also dense and meaty, another characteristic of this medium plus bodied wine. Uncovering the bottle, I saw it was 2004 Campo San Vito Valpolicella Ripasso from the Valpolicella AOC region in Northern Italy. These are the same grapes that make up the more expensive Amarone. The grapes are Corvina, Molinara, and Rondinella. Ripasso is an Italian term meaning repassed. The unpressed grape skins used to make Amarone are added to the already blended and fermented Valpolicella, which adds body, transforming it entirely, This is a wine with a personality. Great value for $25.
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