Wine pairing
What wine goes with pasta?
Pasta is really a delivery system for sauce, so that’s what you pair the wine to. Get the sauce match right and almost any pasta dish has a perfect bottle.
The best wines for pasta
- Sangiovese (Chianti) Top matchMedium red
The default for tomato and meat ragù — its acidity matches the sauce.
- ChardonnayWhite
Round and rich, it’s the match for Alfredo, carbonara, and other creamy sauces.
- VermentinoWhite
Herbaceous and crisp — made for pesto and olive-oil-based pasta.
- PrimitivoBold red
For a hearty, slow-cooked meat sauce or a baked pasta, go bigger.
One to avoid
A heavy oaked red can bury a delicate seafood or lemon pasta — keep those pairings light and white.
Sommelier’s shortcut
Seafood pasta → crisp white (Vermentino, Pinot Grigio); spicy arrabbiata → juicy Barbera; cream → Chardonnay.
Frequently asked questions
What wine goes with pasta in tomato sauce?
A high-acid Italian red like Sangiovese (Chianti) or Barbera is ideal — the wine’s acidity matches the tomato so neither tastes flat.
What wine goes with creamy pasta?
Creamy sauces like Alfredo or carbonara pair best with a fuller-bodied white such as Chardonnay, which stands up to the richness.