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In the past weeks we've learnt why to conduct a water tasting, the perfect water tasting technique and which are the best tools for a water tasting: today it's time to know ten rules to harmonize S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna waters and wines to reach the perfect combination that brings out the qualities of both.
The practice of harmonizing water with wine involves a wide set of variables, and the solutions in terms of taste are practically limitless, and in many cases unrepeatable. The fact is that, while water presents a constant set of organoleptic characteristics, (if properly preserved) wine can be considered an authentic nutritional substance and boasts a range of smell and taste factors that vary considerably. Despite this, it is worth providing a few guidelines on how and what to choose, and which type of harmonizing is preferable or to be excluded.
Fresh and fruity white wines
Their simple and fragrant organoleptic characteristics are revealed in the colour, bouquet and taste, generally reminiscent of fruit itself; for these the recommendation is Acqua Panna.
White wines aged in barrels
In in this case the aromas and taste factors of the wine are more complex; the contact with wood enhances the fruity aroma and even adds a gentle tang of spice; the taste is round and the alcohol warms the tongue; this kind of wine is perfectly matched with Acqua Panna owing to its light and smooth tone.
Rosé wines
These wines offer a vast range of organoleptic features that depend on the production technologies and, consequently, when they are young, fresh and light they blend readily with Acqua Panna; when they have a higher alcohol content they are best matched with S.Pellegrino.
Young red wines beaujolais style
This type of wine is distinctly fruity; the flavour is fresh, fragrant and looser owing to the lack of tannins, and its highlights blend equally well with either S.Pellegrino or Acqua Panna.
Young red wines
These have intense fragrance reminiscent of herbs and small red fruits; the palate perceives a pointed acidity and tannin level and a welcome persistence on the tongue, factors that match it well with S.Pellegrino.
Slightly-bodied red wines
Belonging to this category are wines that have secondary aromas lingering below the surface, hinting at mature fruit, spices, and various aromas; such wines are widely appreciated, and offer a pleasant, balanced taste spectrum, and therefore harmonize perfectly with S.Pellegrino.
Full-bodied, mature red wines
Wines in this bracket have strong personality and an ample, complex bouquet; on the tongue they are round and smooth although an edge is clearly perceivable; owing to this persistent flavour and the high tannin, such aged reds harmonize admirably with S.Pellegrino.
Aromatic sweet sparkling wines
Wines of this type are usually served with the dessert, owing to their light and lively fragrance, making them an ideal combination with Acqua Panna.
Fortified wines
These can be either dry or sweet; the sensations they provoke are highly varied, starting with the effect on the palate, where they present a smooth tone warmed by the alcohol and a tangy freshness on the tongue and an intense sensation good measure of acidity; this versatility makes them suitable equally for either Acqua Panna or S.Pellegrino.
Sparkling wines and champagne without vintage
These products are particularly eclectic, and their pointed, fresh flavour is due to their acidity; they are served to accompain the whole meal, and are perfectly suited to either S.Pellegrino or Acqua Panna
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This text is taken from The S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna Water Codex, a book written by international sommelier Giuseppe Vaccarini and Claudia Moriondo (Doctorate in Food Preparation Science). With this book S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna studied and codified the guidelines, the best techniques and tools to conduct water tasting, with the aim to create a common language for everyone who whish to explore this topic.
