Most of us wish we could spend the summer relaxing in Italy and sampling some of the best food and wine the country has to offer. While there’s plenty to do and see throughout Italy, the cuisine is something you can’t miss. However, a trip to Italy isn’t a possibility for many of us, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try delicious Italian meals paired with amazing wine for yourself. At Grico’s South, you can enjoy a five-course Italian wine dinner complete with wine pairings to try some of the best flavors and dishes in Italian cuisine on June 1st.
We all know that Italian wine and food go hand and hand, but why is it such an important part of Italian cuisine? Learn more about the important role this drink has had in Italy throughout history!
A Quick History of Winemaking in Italy
It’s likely not surprising to many people that Italy is the largest producer of wine in the world and is famous for its exceptional wines, which isn’t anything new. Winemaking has been popular in the country for thousands of years. There is evidence of winemaking in Italy dating back to the 4th millennium BC. Winemaking and trade became extremely popular during the Roman Empire, during which time viticulture was illegal outside of Italy. Drinking wine was a common and important part of everyday life in the Roman Empire. While technologies may have advanced, many techniques created during the Roman Empire are still used to some degree today.
Following the Roman Empire, Italy remained one of the top producers of wine as other countries began to start their own vineyards. However, after years of perfecting winemaking in Italy, in the 19th century, the vine louse phylloxera destroyed many Italian vineyards. When these were destroyed, lower-quality vineyards took their place and were more concerned with producing large quantities. By the 1960s, the Italian government began regulating the production of wine to help ensure the quality of Italian wines.
Wine Culture in Italy
When wine is such an important part of Italy’s history, it’s not a surprise that it is still extremely popular and cherished in the country today. While it can be found all over the country, different regions, such as Tuscany, Sicily, Prosecco, and Piedmont, produce vastly different types of wine. Of course, with years of being one the world’s top producers, Italians also understand the importance that good wine plays in a meal and how to pair it with dishes to complement and enhance the best flavors. Italy is already well-known for its amazing food, and knowing how to pair the right wine with it only makes it even better. Wine and food are also the best way to bring people together, and enjoying a good meal and a bottle of wine with friends is important whether or not you’re in Italy.
Experience an Italian Wine Dinner with Grico’s South
If you want to experience amazing Italian food and wine but can’t hop on a flight to Europe, you can get the next best thing at Grico’s South’s Italian wine dinner. Join us on June 1st for a great evening enjoying five delicious courses and the wines we’ve selected to be just right for each one.
Give us a call at 570-735-2682 to reserve your spot!