Join us on a delectable journey in our blog series, "Divine Pairings," where we explore the enchanting combination of our wines with diverse global cuisines. We're setting the stage with our Insieme Merlot from Inserrata winery, a wine renowned for its balanced structure and varied fruity and herbal notes. Throughout this series, we'll traverse a culinary landscape encompassing Mediterranean, Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean, Thai, Japanese, and Brazilian dishes, finding the perfect harmony between them and our Insieme Merlot. Stay tuned as we delve into the complex interplay of flavors and how the unique characteristics of our wine elevate each dish, crafting a divine pairing. Let's embark on this epicurean expedition together!
Mediterranean: Greek Lamb Kleftiko, This slow-cooked lamb dish is packed with garlic, lemon, and herbs that create a rich, gamey, and aromatic profile. The earthy, meaty flavors of the lamb are complemented by the fruity and herbal notes in the Insieme Merlot, making for a delightful pairing. The medium acidity of the wine helps balance the fattiness of the lamb, while the herbal notes resonate with the seasonings in the dish.
Chinese: Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐) - Mapo Tofu is a fiery Sichuan dish with tofu and minced meat in a bold, spicy chili-bean sauce. This dish, known for its numbing spice and complex flavors, would pair well with the Insieme Merlot. The wine's fruitiness helps tame the spice, while its medium acidity provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory flavors of the dish.
Taiwanese: Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵) -This is a comforting dish with braised beef, noodles, and bok choy in a rich, savory broth. The hearty, meaty flavors of the beef and the savory broth would be complemented by the fruity and earthy flavors of the Insieme Merlot. The medium acidity of the wine helps cleanse the palate, preparing it for the next bite.
Korean Cuisine: Japchae (잡채) - Japchae is a stir-fried glass noodle dish packed with vegetables and savory flavors. The sweetness of the noodles and the complexity of the dish would balance with the wine's medium body and fruity notes. The wine's herbal notes would also pair well with the various vegetables in the dish.
Thai: Pad Thai (ผัดไทย) - Pad Thai, a classic Thai noodle dish, carries a mix of sweet, sour, and umami flavors. These complex flavors would be complemented by the fruity and herbal flavors of the Insieme Merlot, while its medium acidity helps balance the dish's sweet and tangy notes.
Japanese: Chanko Nabe (ちゃんこ鍋) - Chanko Nabe is a rich, protein-heavy hot pot dish. The numerous flavors from the proteins and vegetables in the stew would be balanced by the wine's medium body and its fruity and herbal notes. The wine's acidity also helps cut through the richness of the dish.
Brazilian: Picanha is a popular Brazilian barbecue dish featuring a rump cap cut of beef. Its fatty and smoky flavors harmonize with the wine's fruitiness, acidity, and gentle tannins. The wine's earthy and herbal notes also add an extra dimension to the smoky, savory flavors of the barbecued meat.
