Recipe for Insalata Innamorata and Gewurztraminer

Today's recipe was "stolen" from a restaurant I usually go to for dinner, especially for business meals.
One evening, after one of the usual days grappling with an intense work pace, a phone call brightened my free time: Angelo, a university friend I reconnected with by pure coincidence last year, discovering that after years of losing touch, work had brought us back together in the same city!
"Aperitivo together?" Perfect!
Due to my delay, Angelo decided that rather than having an aperitivo, it would be better to have dinner!
Ok! That's that! A short walk and we're at Giampaolo's!
We're both on a diet so we opt for the insalatone, very generous salads offered by this simple yet elegant little restaurant within walking distance.

My choice falls on "L'innamorata":

• Iceberg lettuce
• Lettuce
• Radicchio
• 2 slices of grilled chicken breast, torn into pieces (alternatively you can use chicken cutlets)
• Parmesan shavings
• 2 tuna fillets (about 200 grams total)
• 4/5 cherry tomatoes (datterini)
• 25 grams of sweetcorn
• Just a few arugula leaves
• 1 carrot cut julienne-style
• Olive oil, salt, balsamic glaze

Love at first sight for this salad, ideal in summer.
On the wine front, however, there's a bit of a problem!
The choice is wide but in the end I go for Rampone, a Fiano Minutolo produced by Cantina I Pastini di Martina Franca in the province of Taranto.

A clarification is needed here: Minutolo is not Fiano di Avellino, nor does it resemble it!
It is a completely different and very aromatic grape variety – someone I know has described it as the Gewurztraminer of the south; I find it less overpowering on the nose and more refined!
A little-known grape variety rediscovered only in recent years.
"Sorry, we don't have it!"
Fine, then let's go with a Riesling!
"Sold out, sorry – may I suggest a Fiano di Avellino Mastroberardino?"
Clearly the waiter didn't seem to know the difference from Fiano Minutolo!

Angelo suggests a Ribolla Gialla, I counter with a Gewurztraminer, in keeping with the comparison above!
Among the various wineries I choose Falkestein di Franz Pratzner.

The Trentino climate, the slopes, the high planting density, and the use of acacia wood make the winery's wines complex and elegant.
The approximately 14 degrees of alcohol combined with the strong and varied aromas make it a leader: the absolute star of our dinner!
Deep and brilliant straw yellow, it releases very intense yet at the same time elegant aromas: rose, balsamic notes, herbs, and the scent of rose.
With my eyes closed I feel as though I'm on an early morning walk through green hills where different scents and fragrances follow one another harmoniously, like runners in a relay race.
On the palate it has a strong body, capable of supporting the wine, savory and mineral with an explosion of aromas that, besides being powerful and clear, leave the mouth intoxicated for a generous handful of seconds.

A lovely evening with a friend, a light yet flavorful meal, and a good wine – one can only thank fate!