Thrifty Tuscany Forum

[dillon]

My parents bought a nice looking Chianti for my sister for the hotel room after her wedding and expect me to complete the basket with fruits, cheeses and such, but I have no clue what pairs well with Chianti (other than perhaps Liver and Fava beans).

[rainier]

stake tar tar.-blurey

[dor]

Darn.. you stole my liver and fava beans joke! ;)

Seriously though...

You could go the fruit and cheese route if you wanted.

Wheat crackers, sesame crackers, watercress crackers... and so on. Any of the "good" (read: pricey) crackers you find in the specialty section of the market. (Not Cheeze-Its obviously)

Blue cheese (not the dip, but the cheese) , mild cheddar, gouda, brie... Those would pair well. But feel free to choose your own favorites.

Good fruit to choose would be red grapes (duh!), maybe some mixed dark berries too.

I'd say a proper mix of that stuff would make a fine basket.
But if your more interested in a meal, than of course red meat is the way to go. Preferably Prime Rib or a Porterhouse.

Ok... now I'm hungry!

[evert]

Liver and Fava beans.

[abba]

Chianti bottles always LOOK nice,but the only thing I`d put with it is chips(and no salt!) I suppose you could add some Italian cheeses and grapes.

[geoff]

Unless she's marrying Hannibel Lector, I'd leave the liver & fava beans out:) .......hearty flavors: chocolate-covered strawberries; dark chocolate truffles; pears; grapes- I think a creamy Havarti or Muenster, or even Brie would be good, and add a package or 2 of water crackers (and a knife) ... Oh! And 2 balloon wine glasses - maybe a loaf of crusty bread

[dekel74]

how about a couple mangoes ,some gorgonzola and triscuits ,edam ,gouda ,beemster,smoked swiss,or smoked cheddar ,carambolla, kiwis ,maybe a cut of english double glouschester (pronounced glouster) a quart of good vodka and a cigar for him perhaps a can of smoked oysters (believed to be an aphrodesiac)they really are not ,but dont tell the happy couple that and a also some salami of summer sausage and a small swedish ham with plenty of crackers,and a couple smll forks and a small knife and twodozen "party hats " to prevent kids
that should keep them alive durring the honeymoon
btw chianti is a poor choice for liver and fava beans as it will overpower them

[philipos]

Flavored sex lube and glow-in-the-dark edible body paints.

That's what I always give with a bottle of booze to friends that are getting married.

[hanford74]

Ok, here is the deal.
Chianti is a high(er) tannin wine, medium bodied, no oak, and low residual sugar. Traditionally its all about meat (and yes) beans. Usually a massive porterhouse steak and cannallini beans, along with some bitter greens like broccoli rappi. This is THE quintessential Tuscan meal. Chianti is among the best wines in the world (forget what that other girl said, she clearly drinks wine out of a box)

You are making a basket though. Remember, the best thing to do with old world wines is to go local. Some nice extra virgin olive oil, and some aged hard Italian cheese, like pecorino Romano, Granna Padano, or Parmagiano. Also a smoked provolone (aka schimorsa), a jar of Italian olives, maybe some cured meat. Even if she decides to save the wine, she will use all that other stuff eventually, and it is all cured and long lasting. No rotted fruit after the honeymoon.

Do Not go with blue type cheeses (ie Gorgonzola) which beg for a sweet wine and steer clear of stinky cheeses too.