The fourth edition of the international wine event will take place from January 29th to January 31st 2024
The pair will match wines from the Campania region with the famous fried pizza from restaurant Pepe in Grani outside Naples in Italy
Recognised by The Best Chef Awards as the world’s number one pizza chef, Franco Pepe will travel from his restaurant Pepe in Grani outside Naples in Italy to Madrid Fusión where he will share a presentation alongside sommelier Davide Guarino.
Their presentation at The Wine Edition Wines from Spain is part of the Vinomio strand of the programme and will focus on his famous fried pizza. “The presentation is called Fried Absolute and will explore the creation and evolution of the fried pizza concept,” says Pepe.
Taking to the stage alongside restaurant sommelier Davide Guarino the two will talk about how to pair fried pizza with wines from the Campania region, demonstrating that pizza and wine can be a perfect duo.
Though many still associate pizza with beer drinking, this has changed in recent years. “Surprisingly in the last couple years, wine consumption equalized beer consumption,” says Pepe. “This was for sure the result of the pairing, always with great attention, that we offer between pizza and wine.”
When looking for the perfect pairing with pizza it is mostly about the ingredients on top of the pizza.” We always try to understand the acidity level of the pizza and working with that we offer the best solution to pair,” says Pepe.
And while there is no perfect wine to pair with pizza generally, he believes there is a perfect wine for every pizza on the menu. “For example, tomatoes are usually paired with Mozzarella di Bufala and combined they create a very creamy and a little acid sensation. Working with that we are going to suggest a white wine that will clean the mouth and mitigate the acid sensation.”
Those lucky enough to attend the presentation at The Wine Edition Wines from Spain will savour fried pizza and learn to understand the pairing principles in the kitchen and dining room of Pepe in Grani.
During his stay in Madrid, Franco Pepe will also host his first pop-up in Spain when he cooks at Toto restaurant on 30th and 31st of January and 1st of February.
Fried pizza and Italian wines with Franco Pepe and Davide Guarino will take place on Tuesday 30th January, 2pm- 3pm.
Registration
To register and secure tickets for in-person and online attendance to Madrid Fusión Alimentos de España 2024 and Madrid Fusión The Wine Edition, visit www.madridfusion.net