Starter
Our starter reads like a great wine pairing in and of itself! The fresh acidity from pickled cucumber and radish will be a palate cleansing balance against the cornmeal fried oysters. So then what wine to choose that will pair well with the overall dish?
SEGURA VIUDAS GRAN CUVEE RESERVA DO CAVA - $20
Whenever in doubt the answer is always Champagne, but regardless this sparkling wine will be a great pairing. The acidity and bubbles will be a well balanced accompaniment to the pickled veg, as well as the great palate cleanse from the roasted veg and fried oyster. Spain is one of the largest producers of “Traditional Method” sparkling wines in the World. I think choosing a well aged (this wine sat on its lees for 15 months) traditional method sparkling wine (versus, for example a Prosecco) is important here to have a fullness and complexity that stands up to this dish, and the toasted bread aroma will pair well with the fried cornmeal.
Main
Reading through the recipe for our main has my mouth watering. An incredible array of rich components all rolled in one (literally)! When I think of a wine I would want to accompany this dish I want two standout characteristics. The first is I want a wine that is fruit forward, and leaning to darker fruits (blackberry, black currant, cherry) than lighter . My palate will want the diversion that a mouthful of rich dark cherry will provide. The second is acidity. Like the fruit, a bright, fresh acidity will cleanse the palate between bites of this rich and fatty dish. The selection then is an Amarone. The drying of the grapes creates a bold, full body wine, and intensifies the fruit of this blend, and the grapes themselves (most notably Corvina) are known for their high acidity.
MASI COSTASERA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA DOCG CLASSICO - $54
Another great wine selection here (and one that is more budget friendly than Amarone) is a Ripasso. The “leftovers” of the production of Amarone and mixed into the fermenting wine to bring some of the intensity of Amarone - at much less cost
TOMMASI VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO DOC CLASSICO SUPERIORE - $30