Pairing the right wine with your meal can turn a great dinner into a memorable one. From a classic steak to pasta with seafood, this wine pairing guide offers confident recommendations based on Delfinos Italian Chophouse’s authentic Italian-inspired menu and award-winning wine list.
For the third year in a row, Delfinos has earned the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, a distinction given to restaurants demonstrating a strong commitment to wine selection and thoughtful pairings. This recognition guarantees that elevated food and wine experiences are available any night at the club, making it easy to enjoy restaurant-quality pairings in a private club setting.
Best Wine with Steak: Kansas City Strip or Bistecca Fiorentina + Cabernet Sauvignon
Steak lovers will find a few top picks on the menu, ranging from the marbled 20 oz Kansas City Strip to the Bistecca Fiorentina, a 24 oz porterhouse grilled and served over herb-roasted potatoes. These thick cuts all demand a wine with enough structure and depth to stand up to their rich flavors.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the ideal steak wine, with its bold tannins and intense black cherry, cassis, and spice flavors. These work together to slice through the richness of the meat but also bring depth to the grilled char and seasoning.
Recommended selections:
Swanson (Napa Valley), offering ripe fruit and balanced tannins.
St. Hubert’s The Stag (North Coast) is a smooth yet structured option.
Stag’s Leap Artemis (Napa Valley) is renowned for elegance and power.
For those wanting a slightly different profile, the Malbec Reserva, Terrazas Mendoza 2022, also pairs well with steak, adding smoky, ripe berry notes.
Best Wine with Seafood Pasta: Zuppa di Pesce + Pinot Grigio or Vermentino
The Zuppa di Pesce blends clams, lobster, shrimp, white fish, mussels, and calamari sautéed in olive oil and garlic with light tomato broth over linguine. Delicate flavors and acidity fill this seafood blend, calling for a clean, crisp white wine to harmonize with each bite.
Pinot Grigio and Vermentino are good together due to their high acidity and citrus fruit notes, which balance the flavors of the olive oil and tomato base and emphasize the seafood’s natural sweetness.
Recommended wines:
Ruffino Lumina Pinot Grigio (Veneto) is known for its light, crisp finish.
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio (Alto Adige), with clean citrus and mineral undertones.
La Pettegola Vermentino (Tuscany), offering herbal and bright fruit flavors.
For those preferring a slightly richer white, the Chardonnay, Tre Terre, Ferrari-Carano 2022 brings creamy texture balanced with acidity that pairs beautifully with this dish.
Best Wine with Veal: Cotoletta di Vitello + Chianti Classico or Barolo
The Cotoletta di Vitello features a grilled 14 oz veal chop topped with fresh arugula, red onion, baby heirloom tomatoes, vinaigrette, fresh lemon, and balsamic glaze, a plate with savory, herb, and slightly tangy notes.
Italian Red wines such as Barolo and Chianti Classico are great pairings. The bright acidity of Chianti and herb notes cut through the richness but work well with the balsamic. Barolo provides a richer body with floral and spice flavors that enhance the dish.
Recommended bottles:
Chianti Classico Riserva (Rocca Delle Macie)
Chianti Classico (Querceto or Mazzei)
Barolo (Renato Ratti or Fontanafredda)
These wines bring a traditional Italian flair to the pairing, enhancing both the food and the dining experience.
Best Wine with Shrimp: Shrimp Piccata + Sauvignon Blanc
Shrimp Piccata is sautéed shrimp in EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) served over herb polenta with a classic lemony piccata sauce full of citrus and caper flavor. A wine with bright citrus flavor and acidity is called for here.
Sauvignon Blanc contributes zest and a vibrant profile that complements the lemon and balances the richness of the polenta.
Recommended choices:
Ferrari-Carano (California)
Kim Crawford (Marlborough)
Stag’s Leap “Aveta” (Napa Valley)
For something a little different, the Gruner Veltliner, Laurenz V. Charming (Kamptal 2021), offers acidity and subtle earthy notes that complement the lemon and herbs in the dish without overpowering it.
Best Wine with Scallops or Calamari: Capesante alla Veneziana or Calamari Fritto + Sparkling Wine
For a lighter beginning, the Capesante alla Venezia provides crusted scallops with garlic, parsley, EVOO, and charred lemon. The Calamari Fritto features fried calamari with sautéed banana peppers and marinara sauce. Both call for wines that refresh the palate and enhance texture.
A sparkling wine like Prosecco or Champagne is perfect for this, with acidity and bubbles to cleanse the palate and heighten the seafood’s flavor.
Recommended sparkling:
Prosecco Ca di Roja (Veneto)
Taittinger Brut La Française (Champagne)
The character of Champagne makes it a perfect match for shellfish dishes and your closest friends. Cheers!
How to Choose the Best Wine
A lengthy wine list can be intimidating, but some basic guidelines can lead to a great choice:
Match intensity: Combine lighter dishes with lighter wines and richer dishes with full-bodied wines.
Consider acidity: Acidic wines refresh the palate, especially with rich or fatty dishes.
Complement or contrast: Pair wine flavors that either complement or pleasantly contrast the dish’s profile.
Ask for recommendations: When in doubt, ask the server to match wine to the dish and personal taste.
Even for the wine beginner, trying a few selections and understanding the basics can make the dining experience more enjoyable. Delfinos’ well-balanced list invites exploration from approachable to premium options.
Experience Award-Winning Pairings Any Night at Delfinos
Delfinos Italian Chophouse offers members and guests the chance to enjoy paired meals every evening. With a wine list recognized by the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for three consecutive years, diners can expect thoroughly selected wines to complement the authentic Italian dishes. These curated pairings demonstrate why Delfinos remains a top choice for fine dining in Hammock Beach and private club dining in Florida.
For more on the Wine Spectator awards and other exceptional restaurants, visit the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence page and browse award-winning restaurants here.