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.

Greco di Tufo DOCG Daltavilla 2024 Villa Matilde

Alta Langa DOCG Brut Limited Edition 2021 Fontanafredda

Vermentino di Gallura DOCG Piras 2024 Cantina Gallura

Soave Classico DOP Gran Guardia 2024 Montresor

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore DOC San Paterniano 2022 Tenuta Mattei

Frascati Superiore DOC People 2025 Poggio Le Volpi

Trento DOC Brut Cuvée 28 Rotari

Trento DOC Brut Rosé Cuvée 601 Concilio

Greco di Tufo DOCG Loggia della Serra 2022 Terredora

Lugana DOC Ca' Vegar 2024 Cantina Castelnuovo del Garda

Alta Langa DOCG Rosé Brut 2019 Gancia

Soave DOC Campo Le Calle 2023 Ilatium Morini

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico DOC Costa Verde 2024 Tenuta di Tavignano

Fiano di Avellino DOCG 2024 Terredora

Trento Brut DOC Vervè 2022 Roveré della Luna

Fiano di Avellino DOCG Riserva Campore 2020 Terredora

Greco di Tufo DOCG Loggia della Serra 2024 Terredora

Lugana DOC Prestige 2024 Cà Maiol