Over the season we travelled with Villa Maria Wines in a celebration of food and wine matching.  While enjoying the surroundings fo the Queenstown venue we sampled and got public consensus as to what went well with Salami.  As you know from the history of the Salami there is a lot of passion involved, so we naturally turned to Gordon Russell, the very passionate wine maker of Esk Valley Wines.  The salami we matched with was Italian, however, these wines will go with any Salami.  Gordon exudes personality and it comes out strong in his wines, especially the following two reds.

Esk Valley Merlot 2000 Hawkes Bay
This soft red has delicious notes of red berries, spice and a chocolaty oaky character.  These enhance the spice and flavours of the Salami - particularly garlic.  Garlic becomes the star with this merlot.  Check out the ingredients list on your next salami purchase and make sure it has that garlic!

Esk Valley Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Hawkes Bay 2000
Gordon explained to me how the order of the grape varieties is the order of the blend, so in this case the Merlot grape is the dominant with the Sauvignon being the least.  This was a wonderful wine experience on its own with herbaceous and red berry characters.  The Cabernet Sauvignon in the wine certainly enhances the peppery flavours in the Salami.  This is a fantastic wine to compliment Bavarian and Peperoni, however, you choose your favourite and it will be a great taste experience with this top red wine.