Declared the American wine grape because it reaches its highest level in California, it's now been shown to be the same as the Southern Italian Primitivo, and it's thought that both may go back to an earlier Balkan progenitor. At its best, it makes an exuberantly fruity, ripe and big red wine full of mixed blackberry and raspberry scents (known botanically as "bramble fruit").

 
Seafood: Grilled Shark
Meat: Barbecue Beef, Barbecue Chicken, Beef Bourguignon, Beef Stroganoff, Beef Wellington, Boar, Buffalo, Dove, Duck, Goose, Lamb, Meat Loaf, Ostrich, Partridge & Grouse, Pigeon, Pork, Roast, Roast Beef, Mild or Spicy Sausage, Ribs, Squab, Steak, Venison
Vegetable-Based: Eggplant, Wild Mushrooms, Stuffed Bell Pepper, Beets
Cheese: Mild Cheeses, Hard, Cheeses, Savory Cheeses, Pungent Cheeses
Ethnic: Mexican Dishes, Mild Beef Curry, Teriyaki Steak, Teriyaki Chicken, Cajun Steak, Tandori Meat and Chicken Recipes, Tajines Meat and Chicken Recipes, Falafel, Jambalaya, Couscous (with meat), Moussaka, Kibbe, Mild Chicken Curry
Miscellaneous: Bean-based Dishes, Meat-based Soups and Stews, Meat Lasagna, Hamburger, Philly Cheese Steak, Hot Dog, Pizza
Pasta With: Meat Sauces or Ragus, Carbonara Sauce
 
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