Spigaroni & Macchia Wines: A Spicy Pairing

RECIPE & PHOTO FROM MACCHIA WINES

During the cool days of February, this hearty, cheesy casserole is easy to prepare for a family or a small gathering. Pair it with a delicious wine for a zesty meal.

Macchia Wines’ Primitivo—with sun kissed berryish fruit tinged with sweet peppercorn spice and subtle touches of cedarwood-ish oak—received the Platinum “Best Primitivo” award at the Monterey International Wine Competition. Primitivo and Zinfandel are genetically very similar, derived from the Croatian Tribidrag varietal. Meticulous farming practices at the Vista Luna Vineyard highlight the qualities that make Zinfandel California’s premier grape but, of course, with an Italian flair!

Macchia’s 2021 Mischievous, Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi Appellation, uses multiple Old Vine Zinfandel vineyards that, when combined, produce the classic, fruit-forward characteristics that are the centerpiece of all great Lodi wines. Just a touch of petite sirah adds structure and increases its complexity. Aging in small oak barrels creates a soft vanilla finish, making it a very food-friendly wine that can be enjoyed daily with everything from rich pasta to a juicy barbecued steak.