Vegetarian

Risotto

Freshness to brighten the creaminess, with enough substance to stand up to Parmesan, vegetables or mushrooms.

The pairing

Why it
works.

Risotto calls for a wine that can accompany its creamy texture without adding heaviness. Good acidity is often the best starting point: it refreshes the palate between bites while a touch of roundness allows the wine to remain present against the rice, butter and Parmesan.

The garnish then refines the choice. With vegetables or herbs, seek more freshness. With mushrooms, earthy and savory notes become interesting. A very rich risotto or one generously laden with Parmesan can handle a white with a bit more body.

In practice

Start with the texture rather than the main ingredient: the risotto’s creaminess calls for freshness. Then adapt the wine to the garnish. The richer, more buttery or Parmesan-heavy the dish becomes, the more the wine can gain in weight; with mushrooms, also look for a more savory, earthy profile.

In the glass