In May 2023 we celebrated the arrival of new wines from Abruzzo in the best way we know: at the dinner table. On Thursday, 18 May, Vinoteka and Basilico, the Italian restaurant on the ground floor of InterContinental Residences Saigon, hosted an intimate Masciarelli Wine Night, with a five-course menu paired with four Masciarelli wines.

Masciarelli: the name behind modern Abruzzo

Abruzzo lies on Italy's Adriatic coast, between the Apennine mountains and the sea. For a long time it was known for simple, everyday wines. Masciarelli is one of the estates that changed that reputation. Founded by Gianni Masciarelli in the early 1980s, it has more than forty years of history and is today one of the best-known names in the region. Its Marina Cvetic range is named after Marina Cvetić, Gianni's wife, who has long been closely involved in the estate.

The estate's work centres on Abruzzo's own grapes, above all Montepulciano d’Abruzzo: deep in colour, generous with dark cherry and plum, with a gentle warmth that makes it an easy companion at the table. It is as happy with a weeknight bowl of pasta as with a special-occasion dinner, which is a large part of its charm. On the white side, Masciarelli works with local and international varieties, including Trebbiano d’Abruzzo and Chardonnay.

A dinner built around four wines

The evening was designed as a conversation between kitchen and cellar. Basilico's chefs created five courses to go with four Masciarelli wines, and guests could talk to the brand ambassador about the estate's story. Two pairings were highlighted in advance: the carabinero prawn, the deep-red Mediterranean prawn prized for its sweet, intense flavour, and the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva 2018, the red that anchored the menu.

The photos shared before the dinner show the spirit of the menu: a whole carabinero on fennel and citrus; seared beef with a Parmesan crisp; and spaghetti with green asparagus and pine nuts. Each was photographed with a bottle from the Masciarelli range beside it.

Pairing Abruzzo at home

You don't need a five-course menu to enjoy these wines. A few simple ideas, in the spirit of that evening:

• Seafood and white wine. Prawns, grilled fish or a fennel salad call for a fresh, textured white. A Chardonnay or Trebbiano from Abruzzo has enough body for richer shellfish while keeping the plate bright.
• Pasta with vegetables. Spring vegetables such as asparagus, peas and herbs sit well with a medium-bodied white, or with a lighter style of Montepulciano served slightly cool.
• Red meat and Montepulciano. Grilled or seared beef, lamb or a ragù are classic partners for Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. A Riserva, with more time in the cellar, adds depth and works well with aged cheeses such as Parmesan.
• In Saigon's climate, serve whites well chilled and reds a little below room temperature, around 16–18°C, so the fruit stays fresh.

These wines also work beyond Italian cooking. Montepulciano's soft tannins and dark fruit suit Vietnamese favourites such as bò lúc lắc (shaking beef), beef wrapped in betel leaves or caramelised braised pork, where a little sweetness and char meet the wine's ripe fruit. A fresh Abruzzo white, meanwhile, is lovely with grilled prawns, steamed clams with lemongrass or a plate of fresh spring rolls. The rule is simple: match the weight of the wine to the weight of the dish, and keep everything well chilled in the Saigon heat.

Masciarelli wines arrived at Vinoteka as new additions to our Italian collection. Browse our Italian wines in the shop to find them, or ask our team to suggest a bottle for your next dinner, at home or at your restaurant.