The wine – cheese pairing series: Benedetta and Fiamma
How to pair Vernaccia di San Gimignano Benedetta and Chianti Colli Senesi selection Fiamma.
We all know cheese and wine are simply a match made in heaven and yet that does not mean that one could pair any cheese with any wine.
Here is where we come along to the rescue with a simple guide that will help us pair our wonderful Fattoria San Donato with the best cheeses.
This is the first episode, where you will be lucky enough to meet the wines dedicated to two of the Fenzi Sisters: Benedetta and Fiamma.
Benedetta 
Fiamma
Let’s begin from the whites!
Vernaccia di San Gimignano Riserva Benedetta
The wine 🍾
A Vernaccia with character and elegance that follows a millenary tradition. It meets the eye with a deep yellow with golden undertones and follows to the nose with complex aromas amongst which you will find ginger, citrus fruits and passion fruit notes.
Once you finally get to taste you will find it decidedly sapid, saline, with a certain buttery roundenes and captivating persistance.
The cheese 🧀
Drumroll please… 🥁 Gorgonzola!
For our pairing we choose this Italian classic. It’s rich creaminess perfectly compliments the velvet notes of the Verncaccia and yet the sharp spicyness given by the blue-green ripples cut down through the fat and provides an excellent contrast to its richness.
We opted for a spicy gorgonzola to add that extra Pzazz but the sweet one works wonders too!
Make sure to add honey, nuts and grapes to play with the sweetness, crispyness and freshness!
Chianti Colli Senesi selection Fiamma.
The wine 🍷
Intense ruby red with a inviting complex aroma with undertones of wild berries and dried spices. The merlot in this Chianti creates a warm and velvet contrast with the usual elegant tannins of the Sangiovese. A wine that plesantly hugs you in a warm and joyful embrace that masterfully conveys its freshness and full body-ness.
The cheese 🧀
For this wine we went the extra mile and prepared a cheese croutons. Spicy, creamy, sweet and salty all in one bite!
The cheese is Sheep Ricotta complimented with pears caramelised with Fiamma wine and cinnamon, almonds and a pinch of chilly peppers!
The gentle and slightly nutty flavor together with its tangyness given by the sheep milk offers the perfect partner for the round Merlot and Sangiovese’s acidity!
Our job here is done, or at least for today! Stay tuned for more wine and cheese pairings!
Bon appétit!
