Who doesn’t love pasta? From spaghetti carbonara to penne arrabbiata, we know that whether traveling the world, dining out, or preparing your meals at home, delicious pasta dishes often top the list as a favorite. But what makes your classic Italian meal even more delightful is the perfect drink – wine. For all the wine lovers out there, pair your pasta with the right kind of wine — and that’s perfetto! But where to start and what pasta works with which wine? How about these 5 fantastic wines that pair best with pasta dishes?
5 Fantastic Wines That Pair Best with Pasta Dishes
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Choosing wines to complement your meals can be an arduous task requiring much expertise. (Raise your wine glass if you agree!) However, we know one thing for sure – it is not always a contest between white wines and red wines. Whether traveling to foodie destinations, dining at your local restaurant, or creating your own dishes at home, it is rather the selection of your meal that determines the kind of wine you choose.
Want to know which wine will go best with your pasta entrée? We’ve made a list just for you! From Chardonnay to Chianti, and Alfredo to Pesto, but oh the dilemma! Which wine should you sip with which pasta dishes? And is the secret in the sauce or the grape? Read on for 5 fantastic wines that pair best with pasta dishes.
1. Chardonnay
The most popular white wine in the world, this elegant drink comes from a green-skinned grape variety of the same name. The Chardonnay grape grown in different regions of the world has different qualities – ones grown in cooler climates have varied flavors such as of apples and mushrooms while the grapes grown in warmer climates tend to have more tropical flavors.
Chardonnay wines matured in oak tend to be wider-bodied with a creamy touch and tend to suit really well with cheese-based or oil-based pasta dishes such as Alfredo or Spaghetti Carbonara. Chardonnay also will also go well with mushroom-based pasta or vegetable lasagne.
If a white sauce is your go-to pasta style, then you can’t go wrong with this Whispering Hills Chardonnay. This tropical fruit-flavored wine goes really well with cream-based and fish-based pasta dishes and is also superbly affordable.
2. Cabernet Sauvignon
One of the most popular grapes among wine drinkers, the cabernet sauvignon grape comes from breeding a white Cabernet Franc grape plant with a red Sauvignon Blanc grape plant. This dry wine is moderately acidic with interesting flavors like cherries, vanilla and green pepper but its primary taste is that of black currant.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich variety of red wine and should thus be paired with tomato-based red pasta dishes. The acidic nature of a Cabernet will evenly balance out the rich tomato flavor of these kinds of pasta. If you’re a fan of dishes such as Spaghetti Bolognese and Pasta al Pomodoro, you won’t go wrong with a Cabernet as your choice of drink.
The Finca Moncloa wine, a Cabernet in combination with Shiraz and Merlot would be the ideal wine for tomato-based sauces. You can also opt for the Jean Balmont Cabernet Sauvignon if you’re more into lasagne.
3. Chianti
At least 70% of this highly acidic wine is comprised of Sangiovese, a red Italian wine grape variety. This medium- to full-bodied wine has a variety of flavors ranging from fruits like cherry to herbs like rosemary and thyme and sometimes even tomato and balsamic.
Chianti is a red wine that will usually go well with red sauces, but it can also be paired with white creamy sauces. So if you are looking for something that will accommodate more than a specific type of sauce, this drink is the one for you. It will pair equally well with your Cacio e Pepe as it will with your Arrabbiata sauce.
Better to pair with your spicy pasta with Chianti Classico as it is characterized by hints of cherry and black pepper.
4. Pinot Grigio
The Pinot Grigio (also Pinot Gris) is a white wine that comes from a greyish blue-hued grape generally thought to be a variant of the red Pinot Noir grape. This refreshing wine has tangy flavors such as lemon, lime, and green apple.
This lean-to middleweight wine is well-suited to seafood-based pasta dishes due to its acidic levels. So if you’re in the mood to indulge in Creamy Smoked Salmon Pasta or Garlic Shrimp Linguine, you can opt for a classic Pinot Grigio to accompany your meal.
The Bonavita Pinot Grigio will complement seafood preparations of shellfish, clam chowder, and scallops with its citrus and peach flavors.
5. Sauvignon Blanc
This light white wine is made from a green-skinned grape variety of the same name originating in Bordeaux, France. The crisp, dry Sauvignon Blanc is known for its grassy aroma, although it is also found in a variety of tastes including tropical fruits and floral notes.
Since this variety of wine is light-bodied in nature, it is well-suited to pesto dishes such as Orecchiette Kale Pesto and vegetable-based pasta dishes such as Pasta Primavera. Sauvignon Blanc also pairs well with seafood pasta dishes.
Pair your herb or vegetable pasta with the Soleus Organic Sauvignon Blanc which predominantly offers herbaceous tones along with fruity aromas of lemon and gooseberry.
The next time you’re out for a Tuscany-style dinner, remember to order one of our suggested drinks to pair with your pasta and bring out the essence of the dish.
