Wine & Pasta
Which wine with pasta?
Wine and Italian food are a perfect combination. When you think of pasta, you think of long, beautifully set tables with lots of people, laughter, the best dishes, and beautiful wines. But which wine goes with which pasta? The best tip for finding a good wine is to forget about the pasta and focus on the ingredients of the sauce. Generally, a light wine is a good choice with most pasta dishes. If the pasta contains a lot of cheese, then a rich red wine is a better pairing. Make sure the aromas of the wine don’t overpower the sauce. That might be easier said than done. That’s why we’ve listed the four most popular pasta dishes with their best wine pairings for you.
Pasta dishes with tomato sauce
Let’s start with the most popular and common pasta dish: pasta with tomato sauce. The mix of sun-ripened Italian tomatoes with ingredients like basil, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and garlic is perfect for pairing with a good glass of wine. But which wine you choose can really make a difference.
We found that South Italy was a bit too sultry, so we stick with Central and Northern Italy. Valpolicella, Bardolino, and Chianti go very well with lighter dishes with tomato sauce. Because tomatoes are acidic, we look for red wines with acidity that pairs well.
Pasta dishes with pesto
Pasta pesto is always a great idea. This dish, which can be on the table in 15 minutes, is not only delicious but also an ideal meal. To make it even easier, we’ve selected the best wines to complement this dish. Since pesto has a fresh flavor, you should pair this dish with a fresh white wine. Wines from white grapes like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Vermentino, and Grüner Veltliner are perfect.
Pasta dishes with creamy sauces
If you choose pasta with a creamy sauce, filled with ingredients like ham, salmon, or mushrooms, opt for a fuller white wine, preferably barrel-aged. Unfortunately, barrel-aged Chardonnays are rare in Italy. For that, you’ll need to cross the border. For example, to France. If you’d prefer to stick with an Italian style and don’t want any white wine other than Italian, go for a fuller Italian wine with spicy notes from the Pinot Grigio grape.
Pasta dishes with fish or seafood
Finally, pasta with fish or seafood. When you’ve spent a long time in the kitchen preparing a pasta dish with the best of the sea, you’ll want a wine that perfectly complements your culinary skills. For dishes with fish or seafood, choose wines that are less pronounced to avoid overpowering the mild flavors of fish and shellfish. Pour a mild Pinot Grigio from Northern Italy, a crisp Vermentino from Southern Italy, or Inzolia from Sicily.
No matter how you twist it, pasta is one of those meals that loves wine. The basic rule is that the aromas of the wine should match the flavors of the pasta sauce. If there’s a creamy sauce on the table, a rich Chardonnay is perfect, and for a sauce with a lot of acidity, a wine with acidity is a great complement. Be sure to take the time to try different combinations, find your personal favorites, and enjoy the many possibilities. Light a candle, open the bottle of wine, close your eyes, and imagine yourself in Italy for a moment. Cheers. Or as they say in Italy: Cin Cin!
