Super Tuscans take on Brazilian churrasco at Fogo De Chao

Can some of Tuscany's most celebrated wines elevate an already impressive churrasco experience? Diana Turner heads to Fogo De Chao to find out.

If you’re a fan of BBQ, you’re probably familiar with Fazenda, now Fogo De Chao, and its Rodízio style churrasco served at your table. Despite no discernible change to the restaurant or menu since becoming part of the Fogo group, the restaurant has branched out into special events showcasing the food alongside paired wines.

I was lucky to attend the five-course Tuscany Wine Dinner, which featured some high-profile Super Tuscans (wines that are blended and not exclusively made with grapes that are indigenous to Italy) and was excellent research for next year’s Tuscany holiday plans.

The atmosphere is informal and relaxed as each course appears before us, while the company’s wine expert Richard Pickles provides a nice introduction to each wine, without overdoing the ‘learning’ portion of the evening.

The first course is a combination of sides that are available on the restaurant’s menu: Croqueta de Asado, Bolinho de Bacalhau and Wagyu Scallop. These are paired with the 2022 Leonia Brut Frescobaldi Sparkling Chardonnay, the light, buttery fizz both complementing and elevating the rich dishes.

‘Deconstructed’ Prawn Cocktail was next – a slightly different take on a classic, but it is nice to choose our own accompaniments to the juicy shellfish, including hot sauce. The Pomino Bianco, Frescobaldi, Chardonnay is the paired wine, a fresh, blended wine without any Chardonnay oakiness, but probably the least memorable drink of the night.

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The third course is where the Rodízio style kicks in, with large cuts of meat brought to the table for slicing. We enjoy Grilled Halloumi Cheese, Criollo Sausage, Chicken Thighs and Lamb Picanha, and the wines get more serious, with two options to try. The first is the 2021 Il Nero di Casanova IGT Sangiovese di Toscana, La Spinetta, a light and fruity option that is a good match for the cheese and chicken, while the bolder Il Poggione 2020 Brunello di Montalcino is a great accompaniment to the sausage and lamb.

For the penultimate course, the quality of the cuts and the tipples step up. To adequately stand up to Beef Picanha, Beef Fillet, Beef Alcatra and Beef Ribs, we have the 2020 Il Blu Rosso di Toscana Organic, Brancaia, an 80% Merlot variety, and the 2012 Tignanello Antinori – undoubtedly the most expensive and the standout wine of the night. Both wines are complex and structured with robust tannins, but really soften alongside the heavy, rich proteins.

Despite generous servings of meats, sides and wines, we have no trouble wolfing down the restaurant’s version of a Torta della Nonna to finish.

While the price point of £75 per head certainly wouldn’t fit into the remit of The Frugal Foodie, it was brilliant value for an evening of excellent food plus a crash course in Super Tuscans, and I will certainly be keeping my eyes peeled for future events.

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Fogo De Chao, 102 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3DF - T: 0131 215 1234

Opening hours: 

Lunch Mon – Sun: 12:00 - 15:15

Evening Sun – Thu: 15:30 - 21:00, Fri - Sat: 15:30 - 22:00