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.

Soave Classico DOC La Rocca 2023 Pieropan

Trento DOC Rosé Brut Cesarini Sforza

Trento DOC Perlé 2018 Ferrari

Franciacorta DOCG Pas Dosé Millesimato Ziliani C 2019 Chiara Ziliani

Chablis AOC 2024 Ropiteau Frères

Chablis AOC Les Deux Rives 2023 Olivier Leflaive

Franciacorta DOCG Extra Brut 2017 Ferghettina

Lugana DOC Riserva Sùere 2021 Cà Maiol

Fiano di Avellino DOCG 2023 Rocca del Principe

Franciacorta DOCG Extra Brut Montina

Franciacorta DOCG Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cuvée Monogram

Trento DOC Brut For4neri 2019 Zanotelli

Franciacorta DOCG Satèn Marchese di Lamosa

Alta Langa DOCG Pas Dosé Blanc de Noir Vigna Gatinera 84 Mesi Riserva 2015 Fontanafredda

Fiano di Avellino DOP Riserva 2018 Rocca del Principe

Trento DOC Brut 2020 Valentini di Weinfeld

Franciacorta DOCG Riserva Nature 2018 Monzio Compagnoni

Alta Langa Brut DOCG Limited Edition 2019 Fontanafredda

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