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A crisp white wine? A refreshing summer cocktail? Or even a cold German beer? We explore some perfect prosciutto pairings.

What drink goes best with Prosciutto di San Daniele?  The answer to that question is that it depends on the occasion, your budget and your mood.

While white wine is the first thing that might come to mind when you are dining on Prosciutto di San Daniele, you
may be surprised to learn that we don’t rule out beer, or even a cocktail, either.  In fact the only rule is that you enjoy and take great satisfaction from both your food and your drink, preferably enjoyed in the company of good people too.

 

Prosecco and sparkling wine

You can never go wrong with a crisp Italian Prosecco but you can also impress your dinner party friends with something a little bit different – a bottle of Ribolla Gialla Spumante Brut.

This is the generic name (not the vineyard or producer’s name) of a sparkling wine from our Friuli Venezia Giulia region.  Made from the Ribolla Gialla grape variety it has a delicate and fresh aroma of tropical fruits.  Drink it as an aperitif or as the perfect accompaniment to a plate of Prosciutto di San Daniele.

 

White wine

Just as the micro-climate in the Friuli region is perfect for naturally air-curing our prosciutto, so the soil in the region is perfect for wine making.

In San Daniele we talk about the marriage between food and wine – it has to be a marriage of love.  Although it’s relatively small compared to other wine making areas in Italy, the Friuli Venezia Giulia region ranks among the best, especially when it comes to white wine.

Pinot Grigio is probably the best known white wine accompaniment for prosciutto, chosen because of its delicate taste, since wines that have a more distinct flavour will dominate the prosciutto, throwing the whole meal off-balance.

But the next time you are in a restaurant or shopping for wine, look for a dry, white Friulano.  The most famous wine of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, it’s also called the flagship white wine of Friuli and is sometimes known as a Sauvignon Vert.

Friulano means ‘coming from Friuli’ and it’s the wine you’ll find most often in local restaurants and cafes in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region – its alluring and delicate aroma of pears perfectly balances Prosciutto di San Daniele’s flavour.  Serve it between 8C and 10C and absorb its full-bodied flavour, flowery accents and almond finish.

 

RED WINE

Yes, you read that correctly!

You can pair Prosciutto di San Daniele with red wine but the wine needs to be carefully selected so as not to overpower the delicate taste of the prosciutto.  That’s why prosciutto is mostly always paired with white wine, but if you really love red then try a Pinot Nero which is lighter and more fruity than one of the full-bodied varieties of red.  With aromas of blackberries, strawberries, raspberries and cherries, this is another wine that the Friuli region is famous for.

 

BEER

You don’t have to drink wine with Prosciutto di San Daniele, sometimes only a beer will do!

During our annual summer Aria di Festa festival we match the best beers from our Bavarian neighbours to our prosciutto for a lighter, more convivial way to enjoy both.  Like our prosciutto, German beer is also known for its purity.  The Reinheitsgebot purity decree, which is sometimes called the Bavarian Purity Law, means that the only ingredients permitted are water, hops and malt.

 

COCKTAILS

Before or after a meal, you might find yourself in the mood for a cocktail, in which case, try an Ugo cocktail from our north-eastern region.  A perfect drink for summer, if offers a lighter way to enjoy prosecco.  Add a dash of elderberry syrup in a stemmed glass or large wine glass and pour in prosecco, top with a little bit of soda water or sparkling water then serve over ice and garnish with a slice of orange.

Although limoncello is associated with the south of Italy, and Prosciutto di San Daniele with the north-east, it is possible to take inspiration from our southern neighbours with a limoncello spritzer.  Fill a glass with ice, add white wine and a shot of limoncello.  Top with club soda and stir.

 

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