The Best Wines to Drink with Italian Food: A FULL GUIDE

Updated at : 10 Dec, 2023

You've come to the right spot if you're looking for the best wine to with Italian food! I'll lead you through the fascinating world of Italian food and wine matching as a seasoned traveler who was born in the country's heart and is well-versed in the subject. The next time you visit your favorite Italian restaurant, make sure you consult this guide so you may confidently and easily explore the wine list.

The Basis of Wine and Italian Food Pairing

It's easier than you may think to pair the ideal bottle of wine with an Italian dinner, especially if you're eating at an Italian restaurant.

 These four guiding concepts will assist you in identifying the ideal combination.

• Tone, Tannins, Textures, and Tastes

Locating a wine that matches the taste and texture of your food is the key to a great pairing. Wines can be light to full-bodied, fruity to earthy, or have low to high tannin levels.
It's a matter of matching these characteristics to the various dietary tastes. Like this one, a robust Barolo goes well with a hearty Osso Buco. On the other hand, a delicate seafood risotto could pair well with a crisp, fruity Prosecco.

•  Harmonizing Taste

It's important to strike a balance between your meal and wine. Wines taste less acidic and fruitier when paired with salty and sour foods. Conversely, savory and sweet foods may intensify the astringent flavor of wines. A dry, somewhat acidic Chianti Classico, for instance, goes well with the richness of a strong, salted lasagna.

• Modifying Acidity

It's critical to balance the acidity levels of your food and wine, just as you would with taste. Dessert wines go better with sweet dishes, whereas acidic foods pair best with equally acidic wines. For example, a high-acidity Sauvignon Blanc would work well to counterbalance a zesty lemon chicken piccata.

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• Using Regional Pairs

Food and wines from the same regions can go very well together. So, what wine pairs better with a hearty Tuscan stew than Sangiovese? If you persist, you will soon become an expert in the art of pairing the best wine to with Italian food. Follow these tips. But always remember that the main objective is your satisfaction. Feel free to try different combinations to find out which one best suit your tastes!

The best red wines of Italian cuisine

Let's immerse ourselves in some of the most popular red wines of Italian cuisine and discover their unique characteristics and perfect pairings.

• Chianti

From the heart of Tuscany, Chianti is a rich, dry red wine that draws its identity from the Sangiovese grapes. Known for its earthy flavors and high tannin content, Chianti is characterized by a deep red color with notes of balsamic vinegar, strawberries, dried herbs and smoke, giving it immense versatility and a strong pairing. 

Chianti: perfect combination for Italian dishes 

This Italian wine is also an excellent companion for fresh pizzas and also for hearty soups or stews.
It also goes well with a plate of appetizers with tasty meats such as salami and ham, cheeses such as pecorino and provolone, marinated olives and marinated peppers.

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• Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the robust Cabernet grape and is synonymous with strong red wine. This variety thrives in different climates and soils and contributes to its overall growth. Rich in black currant, blackberry, black cherry, chocolate, eucalyptus, and mint, this wine has strong tannins and distinct characteristics that frequently correspond to the region of origin.

Cabernet Sauvignon Goes Well with Italian Foods

The bold flavors of the wine go very well with tomato-based red sauces found in pasta dishes and pizza, especially those topped with cured meats. Additionally, without overpowering fatty red meats like ribeye and sirloin steaks, its robust flavor complements them. Cabernet Sauvignon's overtones of black pepper, blackberries, and cherries go nicely with beef stew.

• The Barolo

Rich crimson wine Barolo has a long history dating back over 2,500 years. It is made in the Piedmont area of northern Italy.  roduced from the esteemed Nebbiolo grapes, Barolo boasts intense red tones, sturdy tannins, and potent acidic notes. With its complex combination of tar, rose, herbs, red berries, truffles, coffee, chocolate, and other earthy aromas, Barolo is a sensory joy.

Barolo: Ideal Matches with Italian

Cuisine Rare cuts of beef, steak tartare, and fillet steak go very well with Barolo, which is frequently regarded as one of the greatest wines to have with a dinner.  Game birds like pheasant and duck are also excellent with Barolo. For vegetarians, this wine pairs well with a rich, savory, creamy risotto, especially if it has hints of truffle or mushrooms.  Cheese aficionados and lovers of dark chocolate will especially value Barolo's harmony with strong cheeses such as sheep's, goat, and gorgonzola.

•  Montalcino's Brunello

Italian Tuscany is the source of the powerful, full-bodied red wine known as Brunello di Montalcino. The only grape used to make this wine is Sangiovese, which gives it deep aromas of leather, plum, and dark cherries.  Rosso di Montalcino, its cousin from the same location, is lighter and more reasonably priced, maturing for a shorter period of time but no less captivating. Brunello di Montalcino: Ideal Combinations with Italian Cuisine These dry wines go very well with fatty meats, such as beef and lamb or a thick Italian stew.

• Merlot 

Merlot is a popular red wine that is smooth and flexible, and it is extensively grown. It has rich, dark fruit flavors with hints of vanilla, such as plum, blackberry, and cherry. 

Merlot: The Ideal Companion for Italian Cuisine 

This light wine pairs well with roasted chicken, grilled steak, and pasta dishes with tomato-based sauces.

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• Wine of Pinot Noir

Loved for its aromas of red fruit, flowers, and spices, Pinot Noir is a delicate, light-bodied red wine. It comes from Burgundy, France, and goes well with many Italian meals because of its high acidity and mild tannins. Pinot Noir and Italian Foods Go Together Perfectly It goes especially well with recipes that include duck, chicken, or mushrooms.

Italian cuisine pairs best with white wines.

We'll dive into white wines in this section, with particular attention on Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Prosecco.  Every wine has a distinct character and goes well with a range of mouthwatering Italian foods.

• First Chardonnay

Originating in the French village of Chardonnay, Chardonnay is a versatile white wine variety that has become a staple in vineyards all over the world. This grape produces wines that can be sharp and dry or soft and mellow, as it adapts easily to a variety of soil types and temperatures.

 Chardonnay and Italian Foods Go Together Perfectly Chardonnay goes well with soups, pastas, meats, and seafood that have oil- or cream-based auces. In particular, Chardonnay is a superb match for light and delicate shellfish dishes and really shines when combined with seafood. 

Its mild acidity cuts through the flavors of seafood risottos and grilled salmon. A good Chardonnay complements Italian creamy dishes, particularly those with lighter meats like chicken or mussels. With a pleasant flavor that doesn't overpower the palate, this wine is also perfect for individuals who might not be serious wine fans.

• sparkling Prosecco

Prosecco is an Italian sparkling white wine from the Veneto area that is well-known for its lively bubbles, lively fruit and floral notes, and light body. It has hints of green apple, pear, and honeydew melon and is crisp and light. Prosecco Goes Well with Italian Foods
One of the most well-liked Italian wines in the world (especially in the US) is prosecco, which goes well with light appetizers, seafood pasta, and creamy risottos. It's also a great aperitif.

FAQ

Q. Which sort of wine complements Italian cuisine?

Ans. Italian food goes well with red and white wines alike. White wines like Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Sauvignon Blanc go well with lighter foods, seafood, and creamy sauces, while rich, robust reds like Chianti, Barolo, and Cabernet Sauvignon go well with meats and tomato-based dishes.

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