What Wine Pairs Best with Veal Marsala? Top Expert Pairing Recommendations

Veal marsala is a classic Italian dish that combines tender veal cutlets with a rich savory marsala wine sauce. With its complex flavors of wine, mushrooms herbs, and garlic, finding the right wine to complement this dish can be tricky. As a wine and food pairing expert, I’m often asked what wine goes best with veal marsala.

After researching expert opinions and experimenting with different wine varietals, I’ve discovered some key considerations for picking the optimal veal marsala wine pairing:

Analyzing the Flavors in Veal Marsala

To find a wine that complements veal marsala’s taste profile it’s important to understand the dish’s main flavors

• Veal – The veal itself has a delicate, subtly sweet flavor and soft texture. You want a wine that won’t overpower the veal.

• Mushrooms – The mushrooms in the sauce add an earthy, umami savoriness.

• Herbs – Traditional veal marsala recipes use herbs like oregano, basil, parsley and thyme. These give fresher, brighter notes.

• Garlic and Onions – Sautéed garlic and onions contribute an aromatic sweetness.

• Marsala Wine – The fortified Marsala wine used in the sauce provides rich nutty and caramel flavors.

• Salty-Savory – The dish overall has a rich, salty savoriness.

With this flavor profile in mind, we can determine what wine characteristics will pair well.

Best Wine Varietals for Veal Marsala

Taking the veal marsala flavor components into account, here are top wine varietal recommendations:

1. Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is hands-down one of the best wines with veal marsala. The light body and smooth tannins of Pinot won’t overtake the delicate veal. Pinot Noir often has earthy, mushroom notes that complement the mushroom marsala sauce. The red fruit flavors also balance the richness. Pinot Noir has enough acidity to cut through the savory sauce but not too much to clash with the sweetness of the veal and onions. Burgundy, Oregon, and certain California Pinot Noirs are all good options.

2. Chianti Classico

This Italian red wine has medium body and tart cherry flavors that stand up to the rich marsala sauce. The hint of herbs, spices and earthiness in Chianti also complements the flavors nicely. Chianti has firm but approachable tannins that help cut through the dish’s richness. Focus on Chianti Classicos from the Tuscan region.

3. Beaujolais

For a lighter but still flavorful red, try Beaujolais from France, made from the Gamay grape. The dominant red berry fruit flavors contrast with veal marsala’s savory profile. Beaujolais has mild tannins and a light body that won’t overwhelm the veal. The youthful fruitiness balances the rich sauce. Beaujolais Villages and Cru Beaujolais are best.

4. Dolcetto

This Italian grape makes an excellent veal marsala wine. Dolcetto means “little sweet one” referring to the grape’s fruitiness, but the wines also have robust tannins and acidity providing structure. Dolcetto has jammy red and blackberry flavors along with savory herb and bitter almond notes. Try Dolcetto d’Alba from Piedmont.

5. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

This Tuscan red is made from the Sangiovese grape. It has medium tannins, bright acidity and flavors of sour cherry, violet, and earth that work beautifully with veal marsala. It’s more full-bodied than a Chianti Classico but has similar flavor components.

6. Barbera

Barbera produces medium-bodied Italian wines with juicy acidity, medium tannins and berry fruit flavors. Notes of spice and earth pair nicely with the marsala sauce. Look for Barbera d’Asti or Barbera d’Alba.

Best White Wine Options

While red wine is a classic choice, white wines can also complement veal marsala’s richness. Try these white varietals:

1. Oaked Chardonnay

A Chardonnay aged in oak barrels harmonizes beautifully with veal marsala. The vanilla and spice notes mirror the nutty marsala wine flavors. Chardonnay has enough body and texture to stand up to the sauce. The acidity cuts through the richness. Opt for a fuller-bodied Chardonnay from California, Australia or France.

2. Marsala Wine

You can’t go wrong pairing veal marsala with a good Marsala wine, as long as it’s dry to off-dry. The wines used in cooking are lower-quality, while sipping Marsalas are finer. A 10-year Riserva with nutty, caramel flavors makes a perfect match. Vergine and Superiore Riserva Marsala are best.

3. Pinot Grigio

This light-bodied Italian white wine works with veal marsala thanks to its bright citrus and green apple flavors. The crisp acidity balances the richness. Avoid oaky, buttery styles and look for a zesty Italian Pinot Grigio.

Other Wine & Food Pairing Tips

Beyond the varietal, a few other tips for selecting a veal marsala wine:

• Go for medium to light body – Heavy, tannic wines overpower the veal.

• Consider regional pairings – Italian wines pair nicely with the Italian-inspired dish.

• Match wine style to sauce – Creamy marsala sauce calls for an equally smooth, silky wine.

• Acidity is key – You need a wine with enough acidity to cut through the rich sauce.

• Don’t overlook sparkling – Bubbles like Prosecco help cleanse the palate.

Pairing Summary: Best Wines for Veal Marsala

• Pinot Noir – Earthy with red fruit flavors

• Chianti Classico – Italian red with tart cherry notes

• Beaujolais – Light, fruit-forward French red

• Dolcetto – Robust but fruit-driven Italian red

• Vino Nobile di Montepulciano – Elegant Tuscan red

• Oaked Chardonnay – Full-bodied white with vanilla oak

• Marsala Wine – Nutty fortified wine used in the sauce

• Prosecco – Bubbles help refresh the palate

With these diverse wine options, from light and fruity to rich and oaky, you’re sure to find a bottle that perfectly complements the veal marsala’s savory flavors. Experiment with different varietals and producers, while keeping the main components of the dish and wine in mind. Then sit back and enjoy identifying those wonderful flavor synergies in each sip and bite!