SIX FAMOUS ITALIAN WINE, CHEESE, AND SALUMI PAIRINGS FOR WINE NIGHT, APERITIVO, OR A SALUMI BOARD
Italy is a one-stop shop for the most indulgent culinary pairings of all time: pomodoro and pasta, wine and cheese, cocktails and aperitivo. Italian food and wine present contrasting flavors, aromas, and textures made for pairing. The combination of formaggio, vino, and salumi offers a new world for taste buds to discover. Many are familiar with the French’s flowery charcuterie boards, which pair various meats and cheeses. Us Italians prefer a more relaxed snacking experience with plenty of drinks called aperitivo. Charcuterie boards are still involved, but us Italians prefer to call them salumi boards. No matter how foodies eat them, Italian salumi, cheeses, and wines are some of the world’s best. Famous pairings like Prosciutto, Pecorino Toscano, and Chianti create harmonious tasting experiences that convince anyone to overindulge.Italian Prosciutto, Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese, and Sangiovese Toscana Wine
Prosciutto, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and Sangiovese Toscana wine are a classic Italian trio. The salty, nutty flavors of the prosciutto pair well with the sharp Parmigiano-Reggiano. Both picks hail from Parma, a city in Northern Italy known for its aged meats and cheeses. A traditional Sangiovese wine from Tuscany is medium-bodied, balancing the bold flavors of the prosciutto and Parmigiano-Reggiano.Italian Mortadella, Burrata Cheese, and Lambrusco Wine
Mortadella, Burrata cheese, and Lambrusco wine offer a more relaxed pairing combination. Traditionally from northern Italy’s Bologna, mortadella, an Italian cooked sausage containing pistachio, offers subtle pungency and saltiness. Pair mortadella with burrata, a soft cow’s milk cheese made from mozzarella and cream, to balance flavors. A sparkling Lambrusco wine from Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region tops this pairing off with a dry sweetness.Italian Coppa, Ricotta Cheese, and Vermentino Wine
Coppa salumi, ricotta cheese, and Vermentino wine make a harmonious Southern Italian pairing. The marbled thin-sliced cold-cut pork salumi, Calabrian coppa, adds texture and visual interest to this trio. Ricotta, a soft cheese from Sicily, pairs well with the coppa. A glass or two of Corsican Vermentino wine, a light-bodied white wine similar to sauvignon blanc, contrasts flavors.Italian Soppressata, Pecorino Toscano Cheese, and Chianti Wine
Italian soppressata, Pecorino Toscano cheese, and Chianti wine put the spotlight on Tuscany of central Italy. Tuscany’s pecorino cheese and Chianti red wine may be the most famous pairing in the country. The hard, nutty sheep’s milk cheese pairs well with the fruity notes of the Sangiovese grape wine. Calabrian soppressata adds the perfect savory intensity with a red wine note to complement the Chianti.Italian Salami, Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese, Campania Aglianico Wine
Salami, Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese, and Campania Aglianico wine are a traditional and beloved pairing trio. A favorite since Roman times, salami establishes a salty, fermented flavor incomparable to other salumi. Pair the salami with Campania’s iconic buffalo mozzarella and Aglianico wine for a party on the palate.Italian ‘Nduja, Pecorino Romano Cheese, and Brunello di Montalcino
‘Nduja, pecorino romano cheese, and Brunello di Montalcino make a bold pairing. The southern Italian region of Calabria delivers a well-loved spicy spreadable salumi called ‘Nduja. This salumi is made with fatty pork and sun-dried Calabrian chili peppers and pairs well with Tuscany’s salty Pecorino Romano. Brunello di Montalcino, also from Tuscany, brings a bold intensity to the table with high tannin and acidity.
Gemma Salumi: A Curated Taste of Italian Tradition
Gemma Salumi crafts the finest salumi products with heirloom recipes, wholesome prime cuts, and clean ingredients. Our culinary legacy began with our ancestors in Agerola, Italy, and lives on in New England through our family’s culinary brand, Salumificio G.B. For generations, our Italian family used the craft of salumi to preserve their meat, now we’re sharing it with the United States. Family traditions and Italian heritage season every Gemma Salumi recipe, keeping customers hungry for more.