When it comes to pairing wine with pizza, the first thing that comes to mind is beer. The most immediate association with a sparkling wine is Lambrusco. And Gragnano is synonymous with pasta. This is true all over Italy, but not in Naples, where all these rules are undermined. In today's article we explain why.
Gragnano: land of generous products
Gragnano is a small town south of Naples, world famous for its pasta production. It holds the record for the largest quantity produced and exported and, since 2013, it has also boasted the European recognition of the Protected Geographical Indication 'Pasta di Gragnano'. What you may not know is that Gargano is also the name of a red wine that has always been paired with pizza in the province of Naples. Historically, Italians have chosen beer to accompany the Campania product par excellence. In recent years, however, new suggestions have emerged, such as combining beer with sparkling wine or cocktails. But what if the new trend was a sparkling red wine with a low alcohol content?
The history of Gragnano wine
Historically, Gragnano wine was known as the "fishermen's wine" because it was the favourite of the inhabitants of the Amalfi and Sorrento coasts. They used to drink it after a long day's work at sea. The fame of Gragnano wine was consolidated during the 19th century, when it began to be appreciated even by the nobility and the bourgeoisie of Naples. This was due to its unique characteristics: a sparkling, light wine with good acidity and a pleasant fruity aftertaste. However, the success of this wine never spread throughout the peninsula and remained limited to the province of Naples. Over the years there has been no shortage of references to this wine in stories, poems and plays. The most famous is probably the one in the 1954 film "Miseria e Nobiltà", where Felice Sciosciammocca, played by Totò, says: "This is Gragnano wine! And if they know how to make it! Twenty-three years later, in his book "Vino al Vino" (1977), the Italian writer and director Mario Soldati described Gragnano as "a wine that sparkles and tastes of violets".
Wine characteristics
Gragnano is a sparkling red wine made from local grapes such as Aglianico, Piedirosso (also known as Per 'e Palummo) and Sciascinoso. The use of these indigenous varieties gives the wine its distinctive character. The modern production of Gragnano still follows traditional methods, but with the help of the most advanced technology to guarantee the quality and safety of the product. The grapes are harvested by hand in September and October, carefully selected and vinified to preserve their organoleptic characteristics. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled steel vats and the wine is produced using the Martinotti method or the classic method, depending on the producer's choice. But why drink it with pizza?
Gragnano wine and pizza: the perfect match
If the people of Naples have always paired Gragnano with pizza, there must be a reason. In fact, after drinking it, it is not difficult to understand why. The light effervescence of this wine helps to cleanse the palate of the richness of pizza ingredients such as buffalo mozzarella, sausage or friarielli. Just as Lambrusco does with typical Emilian cold cuts. The acidity of Gragnano also balances the sweetness of the tomato and the richness of the cheese. Finally, the fruity and floral notes complete the aromatic flavour of the pizza. The combination of Gragnano and pizza is not only a choice of flavours, but also a celebration of Campania's gastronomic tradition. Drinking a glass of Gragnano while tasting a Neapolitan pizza is like immersing oneself in an authentic and unique experience that tells of the history, culture and love of good food of the Sorrento peninsula.
