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.

Franciacorta DOCG Brut Nature Demetra Senza Solfiti Aggiunti Mirabella

Alta Langa DOCG Brut Ruj 2022 San Silvestro

Franciacorta DOCG Pas Dosé Riserva 33 2017 Ferghettina

Trento DOC Brut Maximum Blanc de Blancs Ferrari

Trento DOC Brut Riserva Michei 823 2019 Hofstätter

Vermentino di Gallura Superiore DOCG Mancini Primo 2024 Piero Mancini

Alta Langa DOCG Metodo Classico Extra Brut Millesimato 2022 Cascina Chicco

Alta Langa DOCG Brut 2022 Coppo

Vermentino di Gallura DOCG Vigna'ngena 2025 Capichera

Trento Brut Millesimato DOC 2021 Altemasi

Trento DOC Riserva Dosaggio Zero 2021 Maso Martis

Franciacorta DOCG Extra Brut Millesimato Millè 2021 Muratori

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

Trento DOC Riserva Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuvée Pietra 2021 San Leonardo

Trento DOC Brut Letrari

Franciacorta DOCG Extra Brut Alma Rosé Assemblage 2 Bellavista

Franciacorta DOCG Brut Cuvée Royale Tenuta Montenisa Marchesi Antinori

Lugana DOC Sant'Onorata 1953 2022 Nunzio Ghiraldi

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