Renato Ratti Torriglione Barbera d’Alba 2007 ($20) and Parmigiano Reggiano

Welcome to the first in a series of wine and cheese pairings on this blog. I decided to launch into this project in style by matching up a sour-cherry-flavored Barbera from northern Italy with some aged Parmigiano Reggiano slices. The Renato Ratti Torriglione Barbera d’Alba 2007 has a tart acidity that stands up to the sharpness of the Reggiano, and the bold fruit and licorice flavors complement the spiciness of the cheese. It’s sometimes assumed that you need an expensive wine to pair with pricey cheese, but this combo disproves this myth – at $20 a bottle, the Barbera is both affordable and easy-to-drink. A good chunk of Reggiano with cost about the same amount, but trust me, it will be one of the best $40 you’ve ever spent.