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Wine Pairing with Pasta

Wine pairings for tomato, cream, and olive oil-based pasta dishes.

Quick Wine Pairing Guide for Pasta

Finding the right wine to pair with pasta depends on the specific dish, cooking method, and sauce. Here's what you need to know:

  • Consider the preparation: Grilled, roasted, and fried dishes pair differently than poached or steamed.
  • Match intensity: Bold dishes need bold wines; delicate dishes need lighter wines.
  • Don't forget the sauce: Often the sauce matters more than the protein itself.

Pasta Dishes & Wine Pairings

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Pasta with Tomato Sauce

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Spaghetti marinara, penne arrabbiata, and other tomato-based pasta dishes.

πŸ’‘ Match the acidity of tomatoes with a wine that has good acidity. Sangiovese is the Italian classic.

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Creamy Pasta

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Fettuccine Alfredo, carbonara, and other cream-based pasta dishes.

πŸ’‘ Creamy sauces need wines with good acidity to cut through richness. Oaked Chardonnay is ideal.

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Light Pasta

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Pasta primavera, aglio e olio, and light olive oil-based pasta.

πŸ’‘ Light pasta needs light wine. Prosecco is wonderfully refreshing with simple pasta dishes.

Best Wines for Pasta

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A softer, more approachable red wine with plush tannins and ripe fruit flavors. Perfect for those new to red wine.

Flavors:Plum, cherry, chocolate, bay leaf, vanilla
Body:medium
Regions:Bordeaux, California
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Argentina's signature grape, producing rich, velvety wines with dark fruit and smoky notes.

Flavors:Blackberry, plum, cocoa, leather, violet
Body:full
Regions:Argentina, Cahors (France)
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California's heritage grape, known for jammy fruit flavors and bold, spicy character.

Flavors:Blackberry, jam, pepper, cinnamon, tobacco
Body:full
Regions:California, Puglia (Italy)

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