Asiago cheese is a strong, nutty, and pungent cheese with a hint of saltiness. When paired with chicken, Asiago adds a rich and creamy texture. The best wines to pair with Asiago chicken depend on the other ingredients in the dish. A dry white wine such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc can complement the cheese's saltiness, while a red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon will accentuate its nutty flavour. For a dish like Asiago chicken in a white wine mushroom sauce, a dry white wine such as Chablis is recommended.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Wine Type | Red or White |
Red Wine Examples | Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Rioja |
White Wine Examples | Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, Californian Chardonnay |
Cheese Type | Asiago |
Flavour Profile | Pungent, nutty, salty, strong |
What You'll Learn
Asiago cheese and wine: a guide to pairing
Asiago cheese is a strong, nutty, and pungent cheese with a hint of saltiness. Its complex flavour profile makes it a wonderful pairing with a variety of wines, especially those with complementary nutty, fruity, or earthy notes. Here are some ideal wine pairings to consider when serving Asiago cheese:
Red Wines
Asiago cheese pairs wonderfully with red wines, especially those with earthy and fruity notes. A Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent choice, as its mouth-drying, robust characteristics complement the cheese's pungency. Cabernet Sauvignons often feature notes of dark fruit, tobacco, and leather, adding depth and complexity to the pairing. Additionally, a Shiraz (Syrah) or a Rioja can be excellent choices. A Shiraz offers a mouth-puckering experience with notes of plum, leather, and black pepper, while a Rioja is a spicy, earthy Spanish wine with flavours of blackberry, black cherry, and red currant.
White Wines
When it comes to white wines, Asiago cheese is best paired with fuller-bodied varieties. A Chardonnay, such as a Californian Chardonnay, is an excellent choice, as it can stand up to the cheese's strong flavour with its fuller body. Alternatively, a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc can also be a good option for those who prefer a white wine pairing.
Asiago Chicken and Wine
When Asiago cheese is used in dishes like Asiago chicken, the wine pairing may need to be adjusted slightly to complement the additional flavours. For instance, an Asiago chicken in a white wine mushroom sauce can benefit from the same wine used in its preparation, such as a dry white wine like Chablis. The wine's acidity and sweetness will complement the nutty and salty flavours of the Asiago cheese in the dish.
Additional Tips
When serving Asiago cheese, consider adding some sun-dried tomatoes, roasted vegetables, or artichokes as accompaniments, as these can further enhance the flavour experience. Additionally, Asiago cheese can be a versatile ingredient in various dishes, such as pasta, roasted broccoli, or even added to a tomatoey soup.
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Wine and food combinations
When it comes to wine and food combinations, certain pairings can accentuate each other, creating richer and fuller flavours that result in amazing sensory experiences. Asiago cheese, for instance, has pungent, nutty, and salty flavours. Here are some wine and food combinations to consider when serving chicken covered with Asiago cheese.
As a strong, pungent, and nutty cheese, Asiago pairs wonderfully with red wines, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon. This dry red wine features notes of dark fruit, tobacco, and leather, creating an earthy and mouth-drying sensation. The combination of Asiago cheese and Cabernet Sauvignon can enhance the flavours of both, resulting in a rich and satisfying sensory experience.
For those who prefer white wine, a Chardonnay is an excellent choice to pair with Asiago cheese. Chardonnays, particularly Californian Chardonnays, offer a fuller body than many other white wines, allowing them to stand up to the robust flavour of Asiago. This combination can result in a delightful contrast of flavours, with the wine's dryness complementing the cheese's nuttiness.
Additionally, when considering the overall dish of chicken covered with Asiago cheese, it is important to take into account the other ingredients used. For instance, if the dish incorporates sun-dried tomatoes, roasted vegetables, black olives, or artichokes, a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc could be a good choice to complement these additional flavours.
Lastly, for those who enjoy a heartier meal, a red wine such as a Shiraz or a Zinfandel could be a bold choice to pair with the chicken and Asiago cheese. These wines offer robust flavours that can stand up to the cheese's intensity, creating a satisfyingly rich dining experience.
In conclusion, when pairing wine with chicken covered with Asiago cheese, consider the cheese's strong and nutty flavour profile. Red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon can complement and accentuate these flavours, while white wines like Chardonnay offer a pleasing contrast that highlights the cheese's unique characteristics. Taking into account the other ingredients in the dish can also help guide your wine selection to create the perfect wine and food combination.
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Asiago chicken in a white wine mushroom sauce
This is a low-carb recipe that's easy to make and tastes great. Asiago is a strong-flavoured cheese, so this dish is not for the faint-hearted!
Ingredients
- 2 large skinless and boneless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp all-purpose seasoning
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
- 8 oz sliced mushrooms, drained
- 1 tsp jarred minced garlic
- 1 cup dry white wine (Chablis is recommended)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 cup grated Asiago cheese
Method
- Combine the flour, seasoning salt, paprika, salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour. (Note: you will use very little of the flour. Maybe 2 tbsp for all the chicken pieces. Cut the breasts in half if they are large. If you have small chicken breasts, you will need four.)
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tbsp butter with 1 tbsp olive oil. Fry the chicken for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Remove to a plate.
- Add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the hot skillet. Add the mushrooms and garlic. Sauté until the mushrooms begin to brown.
- Add the wine, broth and thyme.
- Add the chicken back to the pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 12 to 15 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the pan. Add the cheese and cream. Cook, stirring constantly, until the cheese has melted. Continue cooking until reduced by half. It will thicken as the liquid cooks out.
- Add the chicken back to the sauce. Heat just until the chicken is warm.
- Serve over a cauliflower mash (for low-carb) or over pasta or mashed potatoes.
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Other recipes with Asiago cheese
Asiago cheese is a strong, nutty, and pungent Italian cheese that can be used in a variety of recipes. Here are some ideas for recipes that use Asiago cheese:
Asiago Chicken in a White Wine Mushroom Sauce
This recipe combines the nuttiness of Asiago with the earthiness of mushrooms and a hint of acidity and sweetness from the white wine. The sauce is creamy and flavorful, and the chicken is tender and juicy.
Asiago Mashed Cauliflower
A flavorful side dish that is a tasty alternative to mashed potatoes.
Asiago Pasta
A mouth-watering pasta dish with a rich, velvety sauce made with grated Asiago cheese, garlic, Italian seasoning, and fresh spinach. The pasta water is added to the sauce to help bind it to the pasta, creating a full-flavored dish.
Stuffed Asiago-Basil Mushrooms
Even those who don't like mushrooms may enjoy this tasty appetizer.
Asiago Chicken Cordon Bleu
A tempting and flavorful dish that is easy enough to make any night of the week.
Fig, Caramelized Onion, and Goat Cheese Panini
The combination of sweet honey, dried figs, tangy goat cheese, nutty Asiago, and salty prosciutto creates a sandwich that will transport you to the Italian countryside.
Tuscan Cornbread with Asiago Butter
A tasty use of fresh basil that is sure to impress.
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Red wines to try with Asiago cheese
Asiago cheese is a pungent and nutty-flavoured cheese that pairs wonderfully with red wines. Here are some red wines that you can try with Asiago cheese:
Cabernet Sauvignon
A dry, mouth-drying, earthy red wine with notes of dark fruit, tobacco, and leather. The wine's characteristics beautifully complement the nutty and salty flavours of Asiago cheese.
Syrah
A mouth-puckering red wine with plum, leather, and black pepper flavours. The wine's bold flavours can stand up to the intensity of Asiago cheese.
Rioja
A spicy, earthy Spanish wine with blackberry, black cherry, and red currant notes. The fruity and spicy characteristics of Rioja create an interesting contrast with the nutty and salty flavours of the cheese.
When pairing red wines with Asiago cheese, look for wines with robust flavours that can stand up to the cheese's pungency and nuttiness. These wines will enhance the cheese's flavours and create a delightful sensory experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Asiago cheese has pungent and nutty flavours that pair wonderfully with red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon. When pairing with white wine, a Chardonnay is a good choice.
Asiago cheese can be used in a variety of dishes such as pasta, pizza, quesadillas, mac and cheese, grilled cheese, and more. It can also be added to soups or used as a dip.
Asiago chicken is a dish where chicken is cooked in a white wine mushroom sauce and topped with Asiago cheese. The sauce is made with garlic and thyme, giving it a wonderful aroma, while mushrooms add earthiness and texture. The Asiago cheese adds a nutty and salty taste to the dish.