The pairing of red wine and fish is uncommon and sometimes wrongly criticized by common opinion. Let's banish taboos and recommend 10 bottles that prove the opposite: here's what to choose according to wine expert Luca Gardini.
10 red wines for fish: the ideal bottles to avoid making mistakes
MONTE DEL FRÀ
Bardolino DOC 2022
With 64 years of history, Monte Del Frà is a cornerstone in Sommacampagna's production, situated between Custoza and Staffalo. They've expanded over time to encompass 137 hectares, plus an additional 68 on lease, covering the main Veronese denominations. Their Monti Fitti vineyard produces a blend of Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara, and Corvinone. The nose features notes of blueberry jam, hints of wild iris and iodine, and linder. The palate is juicy and iodized with a fruity finish.
FATTORIA LE PUPILLE
Morellino di Scansano DOCG 2022
Fattoria Le Pupille's 'entry level' Morellino is a testament to their visionary winemaking. Made entirely in stainless steel with a small portion aged in second-pass barriques, it's an emblematic wine. It has an intense nose of black mulberry, touches of licorice and Mediterranean scrubland. On the palate, it's savory with iodized tannins perfectly integrated into the body, providing excellent flavor persistence.
MANDRAROSSA
Terre Siciliane IGT Frappato 2022
Mandrarossa, a leading cooperative in Sicilian wine production, especially in the Menfi area, aspires to great viticultural achievements under its brand. Their pure Frappato is truly captivating with notes of marasca cherry, ginger, and hints of citron zest and pink pepper. It's juicy and iodized on the palate with fruity-spicy notes and citrus undertones.
FRANCESCO SOBRERO
Dolcetto d’Alba DOC Selectio 2022
The beautiful family project of Cantina Sobrero in Castiglione Falletto undoubtedly reaches one of its peaks in this type, as usual for the daring, benefiting from a passion and expertise that has been in progress since the 1940s of the last century. Vinified in stainless steel only, it has a nose of raspberry and thyme, with hints of pink pepper and iris, juicy, very well balanced, with a soft finish and a fruity-herbal aftertaste.
TENUTA SAN MARCELLO
Lacrima di Morro d’Alba DOC Bastaro 2022
Tenuta San Marcello, located near Senigallia, strengthens the winemaking tradition of the Marche hills. Their vines are cultivated using integrated pest management, resulting in wines like this Lacrima. It features scents of blueberry and juniper, clementine zest, and a hint of dog-rose. The palate offers fine and elegant tannins with an acidic-saline finish.
TENUTA ANFOSSO
Rossese di Dolceacqua DOC Superiore Luvaira 2022
A Rossese that represents the passion and expertise of Alessandro and Marisa, revitalizing the rich winemaking history of Imperia, specifically the Val di Crosa. It has a nose with notes of blackcurrant jam, Mediterranean scrubland, and rhubarb, with hints of licorice. The palate reveals salty-briny tannins with a fruity return and Mediterranean scrubland sensations.
RONCO DEI PINI
Colli Orientali del Friuli di Prepotto DOC Schioppettino 2020
This family story began in the 1960s in Prepotto, in the Colli Orientali del Friuli. Their commitment to producing high-quality wines respecting varietal characteristics and consistency continues today. The Ronco dei Pini Schioppettino, aged in steel and wood of various sizes, offers notes of red currant, pepper leaf, and hints of nutmeg on the nose. The palate is elegant and complex with a fruity-herbal finish.
TENUTA SANT’ANTONIO
Valpolicella DOC Nanfrè 2022
The Castagnedi family's solid project pays great attention to traditional wine types. This Valpolicella, from vineyards in Colognola ai Colli and Mezzane di Sotto, is made exclusively from hand-harvested Corvina and Rondinella grapes and aged for about 8 months. It has fresh spice aromas, predominantly marjoram, followed by a red raspberry forest. The palate is sapid-tense, dense, and has iodized-saline tannins.
GIRLAN
Alto Adige DOC Vernatsch Fass Nr. 9 2022
Girlan, an admirable cooperative, celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2023. They increasingly focus on showcasing both indigenous and international grape varieties while emphasizing bottled quality. This Schiava wine is exceptionally fresh, with pomegranate jam, hints of rosemary, and white pepper on the nose. It offers saline-iodized tannins on the palate, velvety drinkability, and an elegant profile.
PODERE SELVA CAPUZZA
Garda DOC Groppello San Biagio 2020
Surrounded by the morainic hills of Lake Garda, Selva Capuzza combines vineyard expertise with cellar craftsmanship to produce intriguing wines, like Groppello San Biagio. Fermented in stainless steel, it features notes of wild strawberry, peony, licorice powder, and sage. It's juicy-iodized on the palate with fruity-herbal sensations and licorice notes.
