Are you ready for a quick change from the holiday fare? Dinner tonight isn’t prime rib, ham, roasted turkey, lobster tails or any of your other menu items from the last few weeks. Nonna (yeah, that’s me) is in the cucina and cooking Creamy Tuscan Chicken, an aromatic and savory dish guaranteed to satisfy. What is she sipping? Nonna chose an equally flavorful wine, Tenuta di Nozzole Chianti Classico DOCG Reserva 2020 (sent as a sample) from Tuscany.
The Creamy Tuscan Chicken is not complicated to create especially if all of the ingredients are organized on the counter before cooking. The entire dish is made in one pan on the stovetop and takes less than 25 minutes from beginning to end. With ingredients of fresh spinach, sun dried tomatoes, oregano, basil, rosemary, garlic, onion, heavy cream and cheese, the mouthwatering dish atop pasta cooked al dente was comforting and satisfying – especially with plenty of gooey melted cheese. And don’t forget to tear off a good chunk of Italian bread for dipping in the sauce! Inspired? Find the recipe here and taste for yourself.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Chianti Classico DOCG
Within the region of Tuscany, six of Italy’s DOCGs (each with its own production regulations, production zones and consortiums) are located. One of the DOCGs is Chianti Classico. Wines from Chianti Classico are required to have a minimum of 80% Sangiovese grapes and a maximum of 100%. Sangiovese is the typical red variety in the region. No more than 20% of red grapes including indigenous varieties such as Colorino or Canaiolo and international varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot can be added.
The total area of the zone amounts to 71,800 hectares (177,500 acres) and includes the entire territories of the municipalities of Castellina in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, Greve in Chianti and Radda in Chianti and parts of those of Barberino Tavarnelle, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Poggibonsi, and San Casciano Val di Pesa. The characteristics of the climate, terrains and altitudes have made Chianti Classico a region that excels in the production of premium wines.
Rows of vines alternating with olive orchards are a characteristic feature of the Chianti landscape. About 7,200 hectares (18,000 acres) of vineyards entered on the DOCG Register for the production of Chianti Classico make this appellation one of the most important in Italy. In the last 10 years, approximately 270,000 hl (7,135,000 gallons) have been produced with exports to more than 130 countries. Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico
Photo Credit: Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico
Tenuta di Nozzole Chianti Classico DOCG Reserva 2020
This memorable wine is from one of the Folonari Estates that “encapsulate the excellence of Tuscany, an expression of the territories most suited to wine production: Chianti Classico, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Bolgheri and Montecucco in Maremma.” Tenuta di Nozzole is found in the northernmost sub-area of Chianti Classico on the border with Florence. Soils rich in clay and marl and a continental climate are elements that affect the wines with “power and elegance.”
Tenuta di Nozzole Chianti Classico DOCG Reserva 2020 (about $25) complemented the Creamy Tuscan Chicken in the best way. In essence, this expression of Sangiovese delivered exactly what my senses wanted: intriguing texture and a round mouthfeel. On the nose, enticing red berries, cherries, dark plums, earth and a hint of tomatoes wafted from the glass. Vibrant, food friendly acidity and soft tannins provided structure and a foundation for rustic, savory flavors of spice, tomatoes, cranberries, pomegranates, and cherries. Neither the Creamy Tuscan Chicken, with its plethora of herbs, spices, intense aromatics and flavors, or wine clashed with the other – truly a match made in heaven (or Tuscany!).
Dinner tonight? That’s easy. Taste and sip Tuscany!
Cheers! ~ Cindy
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