Sunshine in a Glass: Millefiori Appassimento, Veneto 2024 with Pasta Pie (Pasticcio di Pasta alla Ferrarese)
When a dish is as gloriously indulgent as pasticcio di pasta alla ferrarese — a golden-crusted pasta pie filled with a rich ragù and creamy béchamel — it calls for a wine that can rise to the occasion. Wine expert Ollie Smith has the answer: the Millefiori Appassimento 2024 from Veneto, Italy (£8.50, Tesco). This pairing celebrates intensity and harmony — the wine’s sun-dried fruit depth complements the dish’s meaty richness, while its freshness keeps each mouthful buoyant.
The Wine: A Taste of Appassimento
“I’ve got a red wine here that’s an absolute treat – the Millefiori Appassimento, available at Tesco for £8.50,” says Ollie.
The term appassimento means the grapes have been air‑dried before fermentation. This blend of Corvina and Merlot — already bursting with fruit — is dried in lofts known as fruttai, concentrating flavour as the water evaporates. The result? A wine that’s rich, bold and smooth, packed with notes of ripe cherry and plum, yet free from bitterness. Juicy, vibrant and beautifully balanced, it’s the kind of red that can bring Italian sunshine to even the greyest day.
Why It Complements the Dish
Handling texture: The wine’s velvety tannins mirror the slow-cooked meat and baked pasta layers, giving gentle grip without heaviness.
Cutting richness: Bright acidity slices neatly through béchamel and butter, refreshing the palate.
Flavour synergy: Sweet cherry and spice from the wine echo the sauce’s tomato depth and nutmeg warmth.
Comforting, joyous, and perfectly judged, this pairing is classic Ollie Smith — warm, generous, and full of life. Pick up a bottle of Millefiori Appassimento 2024 (Veneto, £8.50, Tesco) and let it work its magic alongside your next pasta pie.