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PhrasesFood ShoppingCerca un vino rosso da pasto?
A2

Cerca un vino rosso da pasto?

Are you looking for a red table wine?

Pronunciation

CER-ka un VI-no ROS-so da PA-sto

When to use it

A shop assistant asking a customer who is browsing the wine section.

What it means

Vino da pasto (table wine, everyday drinking wine) is distinguished from vino da meditazione (a fine wine to be sipped and contemplated) and vino da dessert (dessert wine). Everyday table wines in Italy are excellent quality at modest prices — the €5–10 range covers a huge range of DOC and DOCG wines.

Variations

Cerca un vino da abbinare alla carne?

Are you looking for a wine to pair with meat?

Offering assistance with food pairing

Ha una preferenza di regione?

Do you have a regional preference?

Asking whether the customer prefers a specific Italian region's wine

Vuole qualcosa di strutturato o leggero?

Do you want something full-bodied or light?

Asking about body and weight preference

Mini Dialogue

— Cerca un vino rosso da pasto? — Sì — per una bistecca alla fiorentina. — Allora un Chianti Classico DOCG — o un Morellino di Scansano se vuole qualcosa di più morbido. — Prendo il Chianti.

— Are you looking for a red table wine? — Yes — for a Fiorentina steak. — Then a Chianti Classico DOCG — or a Morellino di Scansano if you want something softer. — I'll take the Chianti.

Cultural Note

Bistecca alla fiorentina is the quintessential Tuscan dish — a thick T-bone steak from Chianina cattle, aged and grilled over wood embers. It is served rare (al sangue) by definition. Pairing it with a Chianti Classico DOCG — Sangiovese-based and tannic — is the canonical Tuscan combination.