Renieri Prosciutto: How to Serve and Pair for an Unforgettable Experience

You’ve chosen a Renieri Cinta Senese DOP Prosciutto, a true treasure of our tradition, and now you’re ready to enjoy it. But what’s the best way to prepare and serve it, to ensure every slice releases its unique flavor and incredible fragrance to the fullest? And which wines or foods does it pair best with to create a truly unforgettable experience? We at Renieri, who have known and loved this prosciutto for generations, want to share some simple but precious advice with you, just like a friend inviting you to their table to taste something special. Because a product of excellence deserves to be treated with care, to deliver all the pleasure it can offer.

Even before thinking about pairings, there are a few small details in serving our Renieri Cinta Senese DOP Prosciutto that can truly make a difference:

• The slice, a crucial moment:
  If you have a whole prosciutto or a large piece, how you slice it is important. Ideally, for those with a bit of skill and the right tools, it should be sliced by hand, with a long, thin, and very sharp knife. This allows you to obtain slices that are neither too thick nor transparent like a veil, thus preserving all their goodness, juiciness, and texture. If you use a slicer, a friendly tip: make sure the blade is always perfectly clean and razor-sharp, so as not to “tear” the meat and alter its delicate nature.

• The right temperature: the secret to releasing aromas:
  This is a golden rule that applies to all great cured meats, and our prosciutto is no exception. Renieri Cinta Senese DOP Prosciutto should be enjoyed strictly at room temperature, ideally around 20-22 degrees Celsius (68-72°F). Remember to take it out of the refrigerator (if you store it there) at least half an hour, or even better an hour, before bringing it to the table. This small, but fundamental, precaution will allow the prosciutto to “awaken,” to release all its complex and wonderful aromas, and for its noble fat to regain that natural, incredible melt-in-your-mouth quality that makes it so special on the palate.

• The first taste: purity above all else:
  How to truly discover the soul of our prosciutto? The best way, especially for a first taste or when you want to focus on its nuances, is to savor it on its own, in its purest form. A slice, perhaps freshly cut, placed on a piece of our unsalted Tuscan bread (the “sciocco”, as we affectionately call it here), perhaps slightly warmed… this is a simple experience that, for us, borders on perfection. It will allow you to grasp every single aromatic note, from the sweetness of the meat to the balanced saltiness, all the way to hints of dried fruit and cellar aromas.

Our Renieri Cinta Senese DOP Prosciutto is so good and complex that it shines magnificently on its own, as we just mentioned. But it’s also an extraordinary companion at the table, capable of pairing wonderfully with other flavors, creating combinations that further enhance its qualities. Here are some ideas, born from our experience and Tuscan tradition:

With the right wine, an unforgettable marriage of flavors:
The choice of wine is important to properly accompany a prosciutto of such high quality. Here are our suggestions, with a special focus on our Tuscan excellences:

• Tuscan Reds, ideal companions: A good vintage Chianti Classico, with its balanced acidity, violet aromas, and refined tannins, is a classic and always winning pairing. An elegant Rosso di Montalcino, perhaps not too aged, with its structure and fruity aromas, also pairs magnificently with the sweetness and savoriness of our prosciutto.

• Characterful Whites, for an interesting contrast: If you prefer whites, a Vernaccia di San Gimignano Riserva, with its complexity, beautiful savoriness, and mineral notes, can offer a truly pleasant and refined contrast.

• Sparkling Wines, for a touch of festivity and freshness: And why not sparkling wines? A good Italian Metodo Classico, be it a Franciacorta, a Trento DOC, or even a good Tuscan sparkling wine, with its freshness, acidity, and fine bubbles, pleasantly cleanses the palate between bites and invites continued tasting.

With other foods and some ideas for your table:
Our prosciutto is incredibly versatile in the kitchen and on the table. Here are some ideas:

• Classics that never go out of style (and that we love so much!): The pairing with sweet and juicy melon in summer, or with ripe figs at the end of the season, is a timeless classic that enhances the prosciutto’s savoriness in a simply divine sweet-salty contrast. Try it also with fresh Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP, or with creamy burrata: a triumph of Italian flavors that always delights.

• On festive platters (and beyond!): Our Renieri Cinta Senese DOP Prosciutto is the undisputed king of a beautiful platter of Tuscan cured meats and cheeses. Accompany it with homemade bread, perhaps some walnuts, a drizzle of our acacia honey, or an artisan fig or red onion jam for a sweet and sour touch.

• In simple recipes that leave a mark (remembering not to overcook it!): If you want to use it in cooking, our advice is to choose it to enrich recipes where its superior quality can truly shine and make a difference, and where it is not excessively cooked, so as not to lose its delicate nature and fragrance. It’s perfect, for example, for a revisited saltimbocca alla romana, using our Cinta Senese instead of traditional prosciutto crudo. Or, try gently wrapping fresh shrimp or asparagus with a thin slice of our prosciutto before a very brief cooking. It’s also exquisite as a finishing touch on a gourmet pizza (strictly after baking!), or to give a unique and unforgettable flavor to rich and sophisticated salads, perhaps with pears, walnuts, and shavings of Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Toscano.

We hope these small tips, born from our experience and passion for good things done right, will help you enjoy our Renieri Cinta Senese DOP Prosciutto in all its magnificence. Remember that behind every slice lies a story of tradition, artisan care, and a deep connection with our Tuscan land.

Choosing the right cut, serving it at the ideal temperature, and pairing it wisely can truly transform a simple taste into a moment of pure pleasure, to share with the people you care about. And for us at Renieri, there is no greater satisfaction.

We invite you to experiment, try our suggestions, and, why not, discover your own favorite pairings. And if you want to bring this excellence to your table, take a look at our online shop or search for selected retailers. The authentic taste of Tuscany awaits you!