What goes well with Moderate Red Wine

[Randy Caparoso]

Fabiano. We've sold that stuff -- fabulous, medium-full "Super Umbrian" blend crafted by one of modern day Italy's master winemakers, Riccardo Cotarella. We're dealing with both luscious red and black fruit flavors lined with soft tannin, leather glovey qualities with traces of gamey earthiness of richly roasted oak. This is really a connoisseur's wine, and so it's cool that you guys are into it.

For this type of wine which finishes dry yet soft with tannin, and in which terroir and oak play as much a part of the whole as fruit, my favorite cheese match is Italy's Parmigiano Reggiano. It's a hard cheese, either grated or broken in crumbly chunks, but has just the right balance of sharpness, mildness, and flavor concentration for this type of elegant wine.

But you may also wish to counteract this dry style cheese by adding a second, softer style. At least I would. Brie and Camembert is a bit overwhelming for this style of wine. I recommend a rounder, creamier style like a double creme or triple creme (especially Explorateur) from France. It will round out the wine, yet not kill its subtleties. Have fun!