Italian food is made for pairing. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that Italy is the number one producer of wine in the world. Maybe it’s because the pasta, cheese and fresh herbs so central to Italian cuisine just tend bring out the best in the grapes. Whatever it was that brought together vino and Italian food, we’re glad it did. The right wine can make an incredible Italian meal even more incredible. Likewise, the wrong wine can make a great meal taste off. That’s why having some basic knowledge of wine pairings can greatly enhance your next visit to Buca di Beppo! These are a few of our most loved couplings…
Wine and Dine with Us Tonight!
Traditional Chianti
Chianti is an instantly recognizable Italian favorite. Traditionally, it comes in a squat glass bottle wrapped in a wicker basket. It can often be seen on red-and-white checked tables next to baskets of warm Italian bread. The version we serve in our restaurants comes straight from the sunny Chianti region of Tuscany and, like several other reds on our menu, pairs exceptionally well with our shareable spaghetti and our famous Buca meatballs.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio (Italian for “gray”) is a crisp white wine which makes it a good option for summer dining and an ideal companion for seafood. We have several Pinot Grigio options on our wine list. Order a glass alongside a bowl of our Linguine Frutti del Mar featuring shrimp, mussels, calamari and baby clams or get a bottle for the table to go with a succulent fried calamari platter.
Ciao! Rosso
Have you heard about our Ciao! vineyard selections? Ciao! Wines are produced especially for Buca di Beppo Restaurants. We’re currently carrying two Ciao! varieties – a lively Pinot Grigio and a light, fruity Rosso. The Rosso is a perfect red wine to have with our lighter pasta combinations. Any of our chicken pastas would taste nice with a charming glass of Ciao! Rosso and there are quite a few to choose from – Chicken Carbonara, Fettuccine Supremo, Penne San Remo or Spicy Chicken Rigatoni.
Prosecco
A dry prosecco can inspire a celebratory mood at any table! It’s like champagne that way, only with more Italian va-va-voom. The Maschio Prosecco available at Buca di Beppo can be described as having a bouquet of white peach and orange blossom plus fruit-forward taste of peach and citrus. It can bring out the best in our earthy mushroom pastas. Our Macaroni Rosa with chicken breast, broccoli, mushrooms and peas, for example, harmonizes perfectly with bubbly prosecco.
Something else that makes our wine list special (aside from its ability to complement our chefs’ creations) is its many size options. Many of the wines we carry can be purchased as a glass, a bottle or a larger “family-size” bottle. Some can even be brought out in a 9 oz. quartino carafe so you can order exactly the right wine in exactly the amount you want.