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.

Alta Langa DOCG Brut 2021 Coppo

Franciacorta DOCG Brut Santa Lucia

Franciacorta Riserva Extra Brut DOCG Millesimato Quintessence 2015 Antica Fratta

Franciacorta DOCG Brut Blanc de Blancs Freccianera 25 Fratelli Berlucchi

Franciacorta DOCG Satèn Lo Sparviere

Alta Langa DOCG Extra Brut 2019 Cocchi

Franciacorta Extra Brut Rosé DOCG Millesimato 2021 Barone Pizzini

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Riserva DOCG Salmariano 2022 Marotti Campi

Franciacorta DOCG Brut Contadi Castaldi

Franciacorta DOCG Brut Mosnel

Greco di Tufo DOCG Nassano 2022 Feudi di San Gregorio

Trento DOC Riserva Extra Brut 1673 2018 Cesarini Sforza

Soave Classico DOC Brognoligo 2024 Cecilia Beretta

Franciacorta Brut Rosé DOCG Francesco I Uberti

Trento Rosé DOC 1673 2017 Cesarini Sforza

Trento DOC Brut Rosé For4neri 2019 Zanotelli

Trento DOC Extra Brut Rosé For4neri 2021 Zanotelli

Franciacorta DOCG Extra Brut Cuvée Prestige Edizione 48 Ca' del Bosco