The Swiss Army Knife of Italian Wine
Michele Boscia
In a glowing review from last week, the Wine Enthusiast referred to the 2024 Le Fraghe Bardolino as the “answer to the eternal ‘what pairs with everything’ question.”
We’re glad someone finally noticed because the versatility of this wine has been a staff secret for years!
Bardolino, with its Pinot Noir-meets-Sangiovese style, goes with just about every type of cuisine imaginable—from appetizers (cold or hot), to vegetarian options, to roasted meats, and beyond!
Showing juicy red berry notes, a lighter body, and fresh acidity, Bardolino is the Swiss army knife of red wine: you can chill it, or drink it room temperature. It’s great in the summer for the patio, yet warming with spice and brooding fruit for a cold winter’s night. It’s light and refreshing enough to drink as a cocktail wine for happy hour, but somehow robust enough to hold up against a pork chop or anything off the grill.
Made in the Veneto from vineyards planted as far back as 1992, Le Fraghe’s Bardolino is one of the best we’ve ever tasted. Certified organic, this blend of 80% Corvina and 20% Rondinella spends just 7-8 days macerating with the skins for a more delicate style of red that presents as soft and silky on the palate while retaining acidity. It’s similar to the region’s more famous Valpolicella wine, but lower in alcohol (and more chugable in our opinion).
Winemaker and owner Matilde Poggi is a Bardolino specialist who has been making it for over 40 years and is an involved and vocal member of the trade association that represents independent growers of Italy. She suggests pairing the wine with a cheese plate, so add that to the list!