🕒 Preparation time: 35 minutes 🍽 Servings: 4 🍷 Perfect wine: Classic Chardonnay (without barrique)
✨ Why this recipe & wine pairing is perfect
Lemon risotto is creamy, flavourful & refreshing at the same time. The fine acidity of the lemon, the salty intensity of the Parmesan and the herbal freshness make it the ideal accompaniment to classic Chardonnay.
✅ Chardonnay brings a lively freshness & subtle fruit that enhances the citrus flavours. ✅ Its mineral elegance & medium acidity harmonise perfectly with the creaminess of the risotto. ✅ Without barrique ageing, the wine remains light & crisp so that it does not overpower the fine flavours.
➡ In short: Chardonnay & lemon risotto = freshness meets creaminess! 🎯
🌍 Chardonnay: origin, character & perfect pairings
🔹 Where does Chardonnay come from?
Chardonnay is a white grape variety with worldwide significance. The best classically matured Chardonnays (without wooden barrels) come from:
- 🇫🇷 Chablis (Burgundy, France) → Highly mineral, citrus notes, cool elegance
- 🇮🇹 Alto Adige & Friuli (Italy) → Light, fresh, with apple & lemon flavours
- 🇩🇪 Pfalz & Rheinhessen (Germany) → Delicate enamel, green fruit, lively acidity
- 🇳🇿 Marlborough (New Zealand) → Tropical fruit, crisp acidity
🔹 Characteristics of classic Chardonnay (without barrique)
✔ Fresh & crisp – No heavy wood ageing, just pure fruit flavours. ✔ Citrus, apple & mineral notes – Enhances the flavours in the risotto. ✔ Medium acidity – Enough to balance the creaminess of the Parmesan.
➡ Perfect for light, creamy dishes with freshness & acidity! 🎯
Lemon risotto with parmesan & herbs
Cooking utensils
- Large pot or deep pan For even cooking of the risotto
- Cooking spoon or wooden spoon For constant stirring for the perfect creaminess
- Measuring cup For the exact measurement of stock and wine
- Kitchen grater (fine grater or Microplane) For Parmesan & lemon zest
- Small knife & chopping board For chopping shallots, garlic & herbs
- Ladle (Ladle) To gradually add the vegetable stock
Ingredients
- 300 g Arborio rice
- 1 Liter Vegetable broth (instant or fresh)
- 100 ml Chardonnay Classically developed (without wood)
- 60 g Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 30 g Butter
- 2 Piece Shallots
- 1 Toe Garlic
- 1 large Lemon (abrasion & juice)
- Fresh herbs (parsley, basil) to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
- Preparation: Finely chop the shallots & garlic. Grate the parmesan, grate and squeeze the lemon.
- Prepare the risotto: Melt the butter in a pan, sauté the shallots and garlic until translucent. Add the rice and sauté. Deglaze with Chardonnay, reduce for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the liquid: Gradually stir in the hot vegetable stock. Simmer over a medium heat for 15-20 minutes until the rice is creamy but firm to the bite.
- Finish: Stir in the Parmesan, lemon juice & zest. Season to taste with salt, pepper & fresh herbs.
- Serve & enjoy!
🍷 The perfect Chardonnay with lemon risotto
Which types of Chardonnay are best suited?
Chablis (France) – Extremely mineral & fresh, enhances the citrus flavours. ✅ Italian Chardonnay (South Tyrol, Friuli) – Crisp with fine acidity & apple flavours. ✅ German Chardonnay (Palatinate, Rheinhessen) – Creamy structure with light freshness.
🚀 Conclusion: a perfect food and wine pairing
✅ Chardonnay without barrique is the perfect partner for creamy, fresh dishes. ✅ The lemon risotto emphasises the fruity, mineral elegance of the wine. ✅ Perfect for spring & summer dishes – light, harmonious, simply delicious!
➡ Save this recipe & try it with your favourite chardonnay! 🍷✨
