Guide to Italian Wine and Food Pairings
A simple guide to Italian wines and the foods they pair best with.
Italian wines are some of the most food-friendly wines in the world and pair naturally with Italian recipes like pasta, tomato sauces, roasted meats, and risotto.
Italian wine can seem confusing at first because labels often list regions and grape names instead of familiar varietals, but once you learn a few of the most common Italian wines, choosing wine for Italian food becomes much easier.
This guide covers several Italian wines that are easy to find and useful to know for Italian cooking and wine pairing. These can be found at your local supermarket or wine store, such a Total Wine. I have even come across several of them at Costco. Each is priced under $25, many under $20.
Italian White and Sparkling Wines
Italian white wines and sparkling wines are typically crisp, refreshing, and designed to be enjoyed with food. These wines pair especially well with seafood, vegetables, roast chicken, light pasta dishes, and appetizers.
Prosecco, Italy’s most well-known sparkling wine, is often served before a meal, while white wines like Pinot Grigio, Vermentino, and Greco di Tufo are commonly served with lighter courses.
These are excellent wines to keep on hand if you cook Italian food regularly because they pair well with many simple Italian dishes.
Pinot Grigio
Style: Light, crisp, clean, mineral, lemon, green apple
Pair with:
– Light pasta dishes
– Seafood
– Roasted vegetables
Think: Light, simple, everyday Italian wine
Try: Nars Margreid Hill Pinot Grigio; Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
Greco di Tufo
Style: Fuller white, mineral, peach, almond
Pair with:
– Risotto
– Cream sauces
– Mushrooms
Think: Richer northern Italian dishes
Try: Donnachiara Greco di Tufo
Italian Red Wines
Italian red wines are known for their acidity and structure, which makes them especially good with food, particularly tomato-based sauces, pasta, roasted meats, and slow-cooked dishes.
Many classic Italian recipes were developed alongside the wines of their regions, which is why Italian red wines often pair so naturally with Italian cooking.
Learning a few of the most common Italian red wines, such as Chianti, Barbera, Dolcetto, and Nebbiolo, makes it much easier to choose the right wine for many traditional Italian meals.
Nebbiolo
Style: Light color but bold tannin, roses, cherry, earthy
Pair with:
– Steak
– Truffle pasta
– Braised meats
Think: A special event or fancy dinner wine
Try: La Sacrestia Langhe Nebbiolo
Italian Wine Pairing Guide
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