Tuscany is amazing. We have it all here, the four seasons, stunning Italian masterpieces, great wine beyond just Chianti and of course: Tuscan cuisine. If you are into food, you must learn what cinghiale is. Cinghiale is a type of wild boar that roams freely in the forests of Tuscany and it makes for a delicious rag.However, they are a bit of a nuisance as they have been bred to be big and furious whose wild ways may wreak havoc on nearby farmers. Nevertheless, cinghiale is essential to central Italian cooking and is freshest and most in season during the fall months. The taste profile (generally speaking): tender. mild. gamey. meaty. juicy. These boars are best enjoyed not too young and not too old and their meat is said to change charactor based on how they were reared.I.e., commercial vs. free-roaming, farm feed vs what ever morsels are left in the forests like chestnuts.Enough with the food talk, here is a great link with a recipe for Pappardelle al Sugo di Cinghiale that you can try at home OR you can request cinghiale be incorporated in one of your Tuscan cooking classes with Le Baccanti if you find yourself on vacation in Tuscany!Here are a couple of options for cooking classes in Florence:With Anna or with Patrizia.If you have the time and courage to make the Pappardelle at home, we suggest that you purchase the shoulder or loin from your specialty butcher for the cinghiale rag. For wine pairing, we must endorse a nice bottle of Brunello di Montalcino. A Brunello di Montalcino, with its firm yet smooth tannin structure, will hold up to the game and richness of the wild boar rag while echoing the earth flavors that scream Tuscany on your palate. We have TWO Tuscan wine label suggestions by our in-house wine expert and journalist Filippo Bartolotta:
Pricey cult wine: Gianfranco Soldera Case Basse 2005
One of the greatest wine masters not only of Italy but worldwide.
This '05 is yet one of his greatest interpretation of purity of fruit, juicy structure and ageability
Young and affordable: Pietroso Brunello 2006.
Tiny vineyard run by a young farmer who makes wine just like in the old times. Great clean fruit, mineral intensity and strength. Great value too!
You should be able to find these wines in most fine wine shops specializing in Italian selections. Or if you are in Italy, you shouldn't have any problem at all finding this label. Especially if you are here on a wine tour!Le Baccanti Tours is a luxury travel company located in Tuscany, Italy. We have been specializing in gourmet food, wine and cultural tours of Italy for over 10 years. We pride ourselves on showing our discerning group of clients the authentic and beautiful Italy of their dreams. Contact us or visit our website to learn more.Buon appetito!
