We’re almost halfway through summer already. And I could be sad about it, but instead I am super excited. Do you know why? Because it’s mushroom season! And do you know what that means? Mushroom pasta, mushroom pizza, mushroom risotto, fried mushroom, mushroom consommee etc etc etc! You catch my drift. So, for the next, I don’t know how many weeks, I’ll be in the forest, hunting mushrooms.

There’s something extra special about cooking a meal using ingredients you found in nature. I honestly don’t really even eat mushrooms I didn’t pick myself. Which is probably something I shouldn’t admit, but whatever. Now, are you ready to hear my what my go to “mushroom wine” is? Drumroll please: Verduno Pelaverga. It wouldn’t surprise me if it’s the first time you’re hearing about Pelaverga. So let me tell you a bit about it.

Pelaverga

Pelaverga is a red grape variety that’s native to Piemonte. It’s most commonly grown in the town of Verduno. Although it’s not widely grown, there are thankfully still some winegrowers in Langhe who still make it. like Burlotto, Diego Morra and Fratelli Alessandria. Pelaverga typically has a very light color, and often has a strawberry aroma. Hisotrically it was a sparkling wine, but that is less and less common. I haven’t had any that are sparkling recently. But sparkling or not, it’s still one of my favorite wines with mushroom!

Others suggestions of wines with mushroom

Pelaverga is a fairly versatile wine and goes with a variety of dishes, but since it’s not a super easy wine to find, I’ll give you some alternative examples. If you’re making a very creamy mushroom dish, it might be a good idea to pair it with a Barbera, like the one from Cristian Boffa or Fratelli Revello. Or maybe you’re having steak with a side of mushrooms. Then I’d go for a Langhe Nebbiolo or Barolo. Have you tried the Barolo from Paolo Giordano? He makes a great Langhe Nebbiolo as well, but if you can’t get a hold of it, you could try the one from Trediberri.