What kind of wine should I get for dinner at my friends house?

Question

Going over to my friends house to have dinner with him and his girlfriend, and they will be making Chicken Parmesiana(spelling?) with aspargus(spelling?), what type of wine should I bring?

Answer 1

The chicken will handle red or white, but the asparagus is the problem. Absolutely kills red wine, makes it taste metallic and flat.

My recommendation would be a non-wooded white, with a fairly acidic nature. A good riesling, or perhaps a sauvignon blanc (but stay away from the very herbacious New Zealand style, unless you're sure everyone likes it. It's like punishing your palate with something that has just been filtered through the kidneys of a cat!)

Or maybe a good, spicy gewurztraminer.

ps. Chianti is made from sangiovese, it's one of those grape variety/wine name things. And, unfortunately, not many Australian versions are very good.

Answer 2

Given this meal, either white or red will work. Chicken parm is bold enough to withstand a red, but won't ruin a white. Personally, I think red goes better with Italian foods. But that's me.

If you're going with a red, I'd suggest a Merlot and maybe a Cabernet. I think Shiraz might be too "spicy." Chianti is a more traditional Italian choice, but (forgive me!) I find it a bit trite and cheap.

This is just my opinion. If you want the (ah hem!) expert opinions, there are several wine/food pairing guides on the internet.

Answer 3

Chicken Parmigiana is a the breast of a chicken baked with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. It's often served with pasta or polenta. Aspargus sounds quite lovely as well. I would suggect a zinfandel such as Kenwood Jack London Zinfandel.

Answer 4

A good Italian wine like Chianti or Asti sparkling if you bring Asti show some real savvy and bring bitters and sugar cubes for a true Bellini - lightly soak the cubes in bitters drop in the bottom of a flute and pour cold Asti over -yummy!

Answer 5

http://www.beekmanwine.com/winefood.htm

CHICKEN OR TURKEY - Light to medium Bordeaux or Rhone, a lighter California red (Pinot Noir or Merlot), Valpolicella, Chianti, Spanish red (Rioja or other light to medium wine). A full white (See complex fish). The choice really depends on how the fowl is prepared. A delicate breast needs a white, but grilling or roasting with skin on calls for a red.

Light red Rhone, light Chianti, light red Zinfandel

Answer 6

If you can find a Barbera, get that. It's a light Italian wine similar to, but lighter than, a Chianti. It goes perfect with tomato sauce, and it's light for chicken. It comes from two regions. You'll find Barbera D'Asti and Barbera D'Alba.

Answer 7

Have to agree with Bonesetter -- the chicken can handle a few different varietals. But the asparagus, depending on how it's cooked, is a different story.

My vote: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir...

Answer 8

Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio- It will compliment the food and is a fashionable wine to show up with.

Answer 9

If they asked you to bring it for dinner, try a Chablis(white) or Burgundy(red) both go with chicken. If you are bringing it to thank them for having you over, anything you think they would like. Don't bring it for dinner unless they asked, they might have something else planed.

Answer 10

Sangiovese - it is a Tuscan wine but is produced in Australia also.

It is something different and appropriate for this dinner. It has more cache than chianti.

Sites for more information:
http://www.winepros.org/wine101/grape_profiles/sangiovese.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangiovese
http://wine.about.com/od/vineyardvocab/g/sangiovese.htm