What to Pair with Italian Merlot: From Salumi to Game

Featuring Tenuta Fertuna Messiio 2016

Italy’s answer to bold and polished red wine, Merlot—particularly from regions like Tuscany’s Maremma—is having a moment. If you’ve been lucky enough to experience the Tenuta Fertuna Messiio 2016, you already know it’s no ordinary Merlot. Deeply expressive and aged in French oak, it’s a luxurious wine made for serious pairings.

At Cask23, we believe great wines deserve food partners that elevate the entire experience. Whether you're planning a slow Sunday roast or an indulgent platter of artisanal meats and cheeses, here’s your guide to pairing Italian Merlot to perfection.

🧀 Start with Salumi and Mature Cheese

Italian Merlot like Messiio thrives with savoury, umami-rich bites. A traditional Tuscan salumi board—featuring finocchiona, wild boar sausage, or prosciutto—brings out the earthy notes in the wine. Add mature cheeses like Pecorino Toscano, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or an aged Taleggio, and you’ve got an elegant antipasto that prepares the palate for the boldness ahead.

Pro tip: The subtle sweetness of butterscotch and vanilla in Messiio balances beautifully with aged, nutty cheeses.

🍝 First Courses with Hearty Sauces

Looking for a rustic Italian pairing? Reach for pappardelle al cinghiale (wild boar ragu) or lasagne with a rich beef and mushroom filling. The velvety tannins in Merlot soften under the richness of the meat, while the wine’s red fruit core keeps each bite lifted and lively.

Try it also with roasted vegetable risotto with truffle oil if you're leaning vegetarian—it’s earthy and indulgent enough to match the structure of Messiio.

🍖 Grilled or Stewed Meat Dishes

The full body and bold tannins of Messiio 2016 demand something substantial—think bistecca alla Fiorentina, lamb chops, or slow-cooked beef brisket with rosemary. Grilled over charcoal, these dishes mirror the smoky notes and deep flavours developed in the wine’s 12-month oak ageing.

Pairing perfection: A rich beef stew with black olives and herbs will mirror the wine’s Mediterranean soul and highlight its notes of dark chocolate and tobacco.

🦌 Go Wild with Game

Game meats are a match made in heaven for robust Merlot. Venison, wild boar, duck, or even hare hold their own next to Messiio’s intensity and aromatic complexity. The slightly sweet and spicy finish in the wine softens the iron-rich depth of game, creating a balanced and refined experience.

Pair with seasonal root vegetables, juniper, or blackberries for a sensational Tuscan-style dish.

🍫 And For Dessert? Yes, Chocolate.

While Merlot is rarely a dessert wine, its cocoa and tobacco notes make it a surprising companion to dark chocolate truffles, bittersweet ganache, or chocolate torta with hazelnuts.

Serve the wine slightly below room temperature and savour it slowly—like you would a fine port.

Final Thoughts

Italian Merlot like Tenuta Fertuna Messiio 2016 proves that this grape, when grown in the right hands and the right soils, is anything but ordinary. With its silky structure, warm Tuscan personality, and bold, generous flavours, it’s a natural pairing for Italy’s finest meats, stews, and rustic cuisine.

Ready to taste the chosen one?Order your bottle of Messiio 2016 now at Cask23.co.uk and create your perfect pairing experience.