Paniscia di Novara

Hearty risotto enjoyment from Piedmont: Paniscia and wine with your meal

Wine with food means a genuine combination of pleasure and tradition. The special harmony of wine and food is celebrated at Paniscia from Novara: A hearty risotto with rice, beans, vegetables and savory garnishes such as salami and bacon. The rustic texture and aromatic depth make this dish a perfect representative of Piedmontese cuisine. The rice perfectly absorbs the spicy aroma of the vegetables and meat, while the pulses provide a creamy consistency. Paniscia is an original, filling, feel-good dish – ideal as a hearty main course, especially in the cooler months, and a delicious basis for selected food pairings. Authentic flavors meet regional culinary art, which is perfected in combination with the right wine.

Ideal wine pairing: Gattinara DOCG (Alto Piemonte, Italy)

Gattinara from the northern Piedmont DOCG reveals a multi-layered aroma spectrum that goes perfectly with the hearty Paniscia. This Nebbiolo impresses with its fine notes of red berries, violets and sometimes balsamic hints. The elegant structure and concise acidity balance the full-bodied character of the dish, while the subtle tannin content clearly harmonizes with bacon and salami. The light color and fine spiciness of the Gattinara balance out the rustic ingredients and bring additional freshness to the rice. On the finish, the wine convinces with a mineral tang – regional pairing par excellence that combines tradition and enjoyment in the best possible way.

Further wine recommendations for this dish

Barbera d’Alba DOC (Piedmont, Italy)
Barbera d’Alba offers intense fruit aromas of cherry and blackberry, which harmonize wonderfully with the hearty, spicy character of Paniscia. Its lively acidity supports the tomato and bean notes of the dish, while the moderate tannin structure elegantly absorbs the strong meat components. It is juicy and fresh on the palate, enlivening the rustic flavors and making the risotto appear uncomplicated yet profound.

Dolcetto d’Ovada DOC (Piedmont, Italy)
Dolcetto d’Ovada scores with notes of dark fruit and a mild almond bitterness. Its round, less tannic style provides a velvety drinking flow to the creamy portions of Paniscia. The wine brings momentum to the combination and highlights the earthy components of the vegetables and the subtle smoky note of the bacon. The animating freshness rounds off the food pairing nicely.

Freisa di Chieri DOC (Piedmont, Italy)
Freisa di Chieri is characterized by spicy raspberry and plum nuances and impresses with its spicy style and sparkling freshness. The moderate structure harmonizes with the hearty aromas of salami and vegetables. The subtle bitter note in the background supports the rustic depth of the risotto and ensures a complex mouthfeel.

Pinot Noir QbA (Ahr, Germany)
This German Pinot Noir from the Ahr Valley has cool, red berry fruit notes and earthy hints that are ideal for the autumnal, wintery ingredients of Paniscia. Its elegant acidity and fine tannins provide structure without being overpowering. The lightness of this Pinot ensures balance and softens the richness of the dish with delicate finesse.

Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC (Rhône, France)
A Côtes du Rhône Villages brings depth and spice through its proportion of Grenache and Syrah. The dark fruit, a hint of herbs and the velvety finish are a perfect match for the powerful components of the Paniscia. The structure of the wine supports the texture of the risotto, enlivens the rustic elements and skillfully enhances the overall aroma.

The recipe: