WINE PAIRINGS FOR FRIED GREEN TOMATOES & OTHER TOMATO DISHES
as recommended by Karen Bonarrigo
• Tomatoes come in almost as many forms and flavors as wines. The colors are nature’s way of celebrating the beautiful start of summer.
• Tomatoes are best characterized as a fresh profile of bright acidity with juicy sweet notes.
• Fresh tomatoes are light on the palate, whereas they become richer and heavier when cooked. This allows for a range of wine options that pair wonderfully with tomato dishes.
• Because tomatoes tend to be on the lighter side, the wine selections should match with light to medium weight. Crisp acidity, clean profile, and low tannin wines are go-to options.
• Rosé is a perfect match for tomatoes. It is a versatile wine category that ranges from sparkling, dry, off dry, and even sweet options that are all within the light to medium weight range, meaning that rosé wines will balance without overpowering or becoming lost next to a tomato dish.
• Green tomatoes are by definition under-ripe which translates into a slightly higher level of tangy acidity. Frying green tomatoes gives additional texture and weight, and dipping them in aioli or remoulade gives creamy notes that add complexity and possibly spicy notes.
Recommended Wines:
as recommended by Karen Bonarrigo
Pair with any of the following:
Messina Hof Sparkling Rosé
(refreshing dry sparkling wine)
Messina Hof Sophia Marie Rosé
(2015 vintage is a flexible off-dry rosé and the 2016 vintage is a crisp and clean dry rosé)
Messina Hof Mama Rosa Rosé
(semi-sweet rosé wine perfect for matching a little bit of spicy flavors).
Karen Bonarrigo, Director of Administration for Messina Hof Wine Cellars, Inc, is an expert in wine and food pairing.