Provolone Dolce (Italy)
Provolone Dolce is an Italian semi soft Cow cheese.
About Provolone
Provolone Valpadana DOP is produced in the North
(Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia‑Romagna, and Trentino-Alto Adige).
Provolone del Monaco DOP is produced the South
(Campagnia, Naples).
There are two types of Provolone:
Provolone Dolce, aged for 2-3 months, has a pale yellow to white colour and sweet taste.
Provolone Piccante, aged for more than 4 months, has a darker color and a sharper taste.
Wine Pairing Provolone Dolce
Our favourite paring for Provolone Dolce is Pinot Grigio.
Pinot Grigio is a crisp and refreshing white wine with citrus and green apple notes. Its bright acidity can balance the creaminess of Provolone Dolce, while its subtle fruitiness can complement its sweetness.
Provolone Dolce is a semi-soft Italian cheese with a mild and slightly sweet flavor profile.
When pairing Provolone Dolce with wine, you'll want to consider its creamy texture and gentle sweetness. Here are some other wine pairing options that could complement Provolone Dolce:
White Wines
Vermentino
This crisp and aromatic white wine from Italy often has flavors of citrus, green apple, and herbs, which can beautifully complement the creamy texture and slightly tangy flavor of Provolone Dolce.
Greco di Tufo
A medium-bodied white wine with a mineral character and hints of pear and peach, Greco di Tufo pairs well with aged Provolone Dolce, enhancing its nutty and savory notes.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is known for its zesty acidity and herbaceous notes, which can provide a refreshing contrast to the mild sweetness of Provolone Dolce. Its citrus flavors can also complement the cheese's creamy texture.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer, with its aromatic profile of lychee, rose petals, and spice, can pair nicely with Provolone Dolce. Its floral and slightly sweet notes can enhance the cheese's flavor while providing a refreshing contrast.
Riesling Spätlese
A slightly off-dry Riesling with vibrant acidity can balance out the strong flavor of Provolone Dolce. Look for a German or Alsace Riesling Spätlese with some residual sugar to contrast the cheese's intensity.
Rosé and Red Wines
Rosé
A dry Italian Rosé can provide a versatile pairing option for Provolone Dolce. The wine's crisp acidity and red fruit flavors can balance the cheese's creaminess while adding a refreshing touch to the pairing.
Barbera
Barbera is another Italian red wine known for its bright acidity and flavors of red cherries, plums, and spices. Its acidity can cut through the creaminess of Provolone Dolce, while its fruitiness can enhance the cheese's tangy notes.
Dolcetto
Dolcetto is an Italian red wine from the Piemonte region. It is known for its fruit-forward character and soft tannins. Its medium-bodied nature and its fruity, sometimes slightly bitter, flavor profile matches most semi-soft cheeses.
Chianti Classico
Chianti Classico, made primarily from Sangiovese grapes in the Chianti region of Tuscany, offers bright acidity, red fruit flavors, and earthy undertones that can complement the nuttiness of Provolone Dolce. Look for a Chianti Classico with moderate tannins and a long finish.
Pinot Noir
A light to medium-bodied Pinot Noir can offer a versatile pairing option for Provolone Dolce. The wine's bright acidity and red fruit flavors can complement the cheese's creamy texture and subtle sweetness without overpowering it.
Frappato
Frappato is a light and fruity red wine from Sicily. It can offer a versatile pairing option for Provolone Dolce. The wine's vibrant red fruit flavors and soft tannins can complement the cheese's profile.
Sparkling Wines
Franciacorta
This Italian sparkling wine, made in the traditional method, offers crisp acidity and elegant bubbles, making it a refreshing and palate-cleansing pairing for Provolone Dolce.
Prosecco
With its lively bubbles and flavors of green apple and citrus, Prosecco can provide a delightful contrast to the richness of Provolone Dolce.
Moscato d'Asti
Moscato d'Asti, a light and bubbly sweet wine with floral aromas and flavors of ripe peaches and apricots, can provide a refreshing contrast to the saltiness of Provolone Dolce, making it an excellent choice for a cheese course or dessert pairing.
Dessert Wines
Vin Santo
This traditional Italian dessert wine offers honeyed sweetness and flavors of dried fruits and nuts, which can complement the savory and salty notes of Provolone Dolce, creating a harmonious pairing.