The right wine for carbonara

Carbonara is one of the most iconic dishes of the rich culinary tradition of Lazio and especially Roman cuisine. It is a tasty and flavourful first course, which, like all the rustic dishes of our cuisine, is based on few and simple ingredients: spaghetti, eggs, pork guanciale, Pecorino Romano cheese, and pepper. When choosing a wine to pair with carbonara, we must first consider the fundamental characteristics of the ingredients.

The pasta has a slightly sweet tendency, the egg expresses a certain creamy richness, the guanciale is very savoury and fatty, the Pecorino Romano has a strong and salty flavour, and the pepper adds a spicy kick. The combination of these characteristics suggests pairing with a white wine of balanced freshness, that is quite aromatic and intense, with a harmonious mid-palate and a good, persistent finish.

Now, having outlined the general profile, let’s try to identify the most suitable wines to serve with carbonara. The easiest and most obvious choice is a local one, with Frascati Superiore, which, thanks to the classic blend of Trebbiano and Malvasia, perfectly expresses the qualities needed. A valid alternative to Frascati can be found in a great Central Italian wine that offers a good pairing with a flavoursome dish like carbonara: Orvieto Classico, one of the oldest and most historically rich white wines of our peninsula. Another white that meets all the requirements to pair perfectly with carbonara pasta is Soave Classico, made with the native Garganega grape, balanced, rich, and savoury. Not far from Verona, we find another wine which, thanks to its harmony and good complexity, can accompany a good carbonara: Custoza Bianco, a blend of Garganega, Bianca Fernanda (Cortese), and Trebbianello (Friulano).

With carbonara, we do not recommend full-bodied red wines, which would be too powerful, persistent, and tannic for a dish with these features. However, if you are looking for an alternative to a still white wine, you might opt for a Classic Method Brut sparkling wine, fresh, savoury, and with harmonious fruit, whose effervescence will perfectly cleanse the palate. A Franciacorta would be perfect. If you love rosé wines, we recommend you try a Chiaretto from Valtènesi, which, with its floral notes, delicate fruit, and fresh, savoury finish, will pair nicely with the dish.

Vermentino di Gallura Superiore DOCG Mancini Primo 2024 Piero Mancini

Trento DOC Rosé Riserva Brut 2019 Altemasi

Sancerre AOC 2024 Domaine Vacheron

Alta Langa DOCG Brut Bianc 'd Bianc 2018 Cocchi

Alta Langa Brut DOCG TotoCorde 2019 Cocchi

Vermentino di Gallura DOCG Taerra 2024 Cantina Tani

Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume AOC 2022 La Chablisienne

Franciacorta DOCG Extra Brut Pas Operé Millesimato 2020 Bellavista

Trento Riserva Extra Brut Rosé DOC Cavaliere Nero 2018 Revì

Fiano di Avellino DOCG Radici 2024 Mastroberardino

Alta Langa DOCG Pas Dosé Cuvée 36 Mesi 2018 Gancia

Chablis AOC Le Beaunois 2024 Labouré-Roi

Trento DOC Brut Blanc de Blancs Maso Martis

Vermentino di Sardegna DOC 2024 Piero Mancini

Greco di Tufo DOCG Nova Serra 2024 Mastroberardino

Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC Organic Wine 2024 Cirelli

Lugana DOC Selva del Vescovo Peaks & Valley 2024 Villa Della Torre

Greco di Tufo DOCG 25 Rare 2024 Nativ