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What is the best wine to pair
with Grana Padano cheese?

Wine and cheese is one of the most versatile pairings in the gastronomic world and choosing the best ones can be great fun. The vagaries of taste aside, there are rules which help us make sense of traditional pairings, on one hand, and, on the other, turn customs on their heads and create new and stimulating combinations.
These are the pairings created by the Italian Sommelier Association (AIS) – using some of the finest Italian wines and Grana Padano with different ageing levels.

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Grana Padano aged
9 to 16 months

“In Grana Padano aged for from 9 to 16 months, the aromas are not yet complex and still reminiscent of milk and cream.
Still sweet in taste with just a trace of saltiness, it stimulates salivation and is best paired with rounded, fresh wines low in tannins, with a moderate alcohol content and mellow, fruity aromas.”

Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro

Controlled Designation of Origin (DOC) semi-sparkling red wine.
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Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco superiore

This is a sparkling Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin (DOCG) white wine.
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Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo

This is a Controlled Designation of Origin (DOC) rosé wine.
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Grana Padano aged
Over 16 months

Milk and cream aromas still prevail in Grana Padano aged over 16 months, with more complex notes of butter and hay also appearing. These scents are mirrored in its distincitive savoury flavour which in turn stimulates salivation. After eating this type of Grana Padano, a light, subtle fattiness remains in the mouth.
The characteristics of this cheese are enhanced with slightly tannic red wines of medium intensity and a medium-long finish. Young, crisp wines, possibly with a pronounced bouquet in which the original grape aromas prevail.

Greco di Tufo

Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin (DOCG) white wine
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Franciacorta Brut Satèn

Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin (DOCG) white wine
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Dolcetto d’Alba

Controlled Designation of Origin (DOC) red wine
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Grana Padano
PDO Riserva aged
Over 20 months

Grana Padano Riserva aged over 20 months, with its complex butter and hay aromas and balanced intensity, has a distinctive flavour which lingers a long time.
It is ideally paired with full bodied, complex wines featuring great roundness, velvetiness, and mouth-filling sensations, capable of complimenting the marked savoury notes of the cheese.

Sicilia Nero D’Avola

Controlled Designation of Origin (DOC) red wine
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Primitivo di Manduria

Controlled Designation of Origin (DOC) red wine
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Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva

Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin (DOCG) white wine.
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Extra-Mature
Grana Padano

Sometimes, the Grana Padano maturing processes can last even longer than 20 months. When this happens, the best combination between the wine and the long maturing period of the cheese is with a lavish, exuberant, intense, long lasting, aged wine, to emphasise their similarities. Instead, if contrasting aromas and flavours are the preference, extra-mature Grana Padano can be paired with raisined grape wines, to soften its slightly aggressive vein and restore harmony and balance to the palate.

Trento Brut Rosè Riserva

Controlled Designation of Origin (DOC) rosé sparkling wine
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Ramandolo

Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin (DOCG) white passito or raisined grape wine.
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Brunello di Montalcino

Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin (DOCG) red wine.
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