Alcohology - "and a Nice Chianti"

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Happy Halloween! Can Chianti really tango with liver and fava beans, or is that just a culinary mismatch immortalized by pop culture? Join us as we unravel this flavorful mystery, teasing the truth behind Dr. Hannibal Lecter's infamous dinner pairing in Silence of the Lambs. This episode promises to enlighten and entertain. Travel back to the 13th century Tuscany and learn how Chianti evolved from white to the rich red icon of today, boasting the robust Sangiovese grape and a distinctive Black Rooster emblem. We’ll even share the medieval legend that put this proud rooster on the map! So pour yourself a glass, and let’s toast to Chianti’s notable place in both wine history and pop culture.

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Episode Transcript

Matt (00:00):
Welcome to Halloween.
Alchohology.
Ha ha, ha, ha, ha ha ha.
I wonder why they call it acocktail.
Yes, I'd like to know moreabout the Avenus Vinifera.
I'm very interested in theterroir.
We talking about two carbon,six hydrogen and one oxygen atom
.
We talking about ethyl alcoholthis episode Chianti.

(00:25):
In the movie Silence of theLambs, dr Hannibal Lecter,
played by the incomparable SirAnthony Hopkins, delivers the
famous line A census taker oncetried to test me and I ate his
liver with some fava beans and anice Chianti.
Here at Matt Friends, drink theUniverse.
We always strive to answer themost important and hard-hitting
questions for you.
So does Chianti actually pairwell with liver and fava beans?

(00:46):
Let's start with the history ofChianti.
Chianti is a celebrated Italianred wine hailing from the
Tuscany region of Italy and isgenerally made between Florence
and Siena.
Its production traces back toat least the 13th century, with
early records indicating it wasinitially a white wine.
The transformation to the redwine we know today began in the
18th century.

(01:06):
In 1716, grand Duke Cosimo IIIof Tuscany efficiently
delineated the Chianti region,establishing one of the world's
earliest regulated wine zones.
Chianti is predominantly madefrom Sangiovese grapes.
The grape imparts the wine'scharacteristic flavors and
structure reflecting theregion's unique terroir.

(01:26):
The wine is known for itsmedium body, bright acidity and
flavors of red fruits likecherry, raspberry, often with
hints of violet herbs, andsometimes earthy and rustic
undertones.
Chianti wines have moderatetannins and are versatile,
pairing well with a variety offoods, particularly Italian
cuisine dishes featuringtomatoes or rich meats.

(01:47):
Chianti Classico is consideredthe highest quality variant,
distinguished by a black roosteron the label signifying wines
from the original productionarea.
Chianti Classico must containat least 80% Sangiovese grapes.
For the other 20%, colarino,conigliolo, nerone, cabernet,
sauvignon and Merlot grapes maybe used.
White grapes were totallybanned in 2006.

(02:07):
So what's up with the BlackRooster on the label?
The Gallo Nero emblem of ChiantiClassico stems from a medieval
legend.
To resolve a territorialdispute, florence and Siena
agreed that two knights wouldride from their respective
cities at dawn, signaled by therooster's crow.
The Black Rooster representingFlorence crowed first, giving
the Florentine knight a headstart and leading to Florence's

(02:28):
dominance in the region.
Historically, chianti wasassociated with squat bottles
enclosed in straw baskets, knownas a fiasco.
Not to be confused with whatnormally happens during my
recording sessions, this designprotected the wine during
transport.
While less common today, theChiasco remains a symbol of
Chianti's rich heritage.
So what became of your lamb,clarice?

(02:48):
No, that's not the rightquestion.
Does Chianti actually pair wellwith fava beans and liver?
I'm sorry to tell you no, itactually doesn't.
As a side note, we here at Mattand Friends Drink the Universe
do not condone the consumptionof human liver, or any other
human body parts for that matter, under any circumstances.
Not condone the consumption ofhuman liver, or any other human
body parts for that matter,under any circumstances.
I did, however, do someresearch, and the pairing of a
meat like liver and fava beanswould traditionally call for a

(03:11):
heavier wine.
You would want to pair animalliver, or one from a census
taker that disappeared undermysterious circumstances, with
something like Shiraz, cabernet,sauvignon, merlot or a
full-bodied Italian wine likeBarolo.
Don't worry, we certainly won'tbe testing this pairing on any
upcoming Drinkable episodes.
Chianti's lighter profile makesit more ideally suitable for
pasta-centric dishes, or evenpizza, if you're feeling

(03:33):
especially classy.
Nonetheless, the associationwith Dr Lecter's famous line has
cemented Chianti's place inpopular culture Happy Halloween.
This podcast is a production ofUnfiltered Studios.
If you would like to know moreabout joining Unfiltered Studios
, please visit our website atunfpodcom for more information.
Matt and Friends Drink theUniverse is proudly sponsored by

(03:54):
the Poppins Travel Company.
Please visit our sponsor atpoppinstravelcompanycom.
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For more information about Mattand Friends Drink the Universe,
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That's mattandfriendsdtucom.