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 Goleto 2022 Tenute Capaldo

Alta Langa DOCG Extra Brut 2019 Cocchi

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC Classico Superiore Vecchie Vigne Historical 2020 Umani Ronchi

Franciacorta Brut Rosé DOCG Francesco I Uberti

Franciacorta DOCG Dosaggio Zero Cisiolo Blanc de Noirs Muratori

Franciacorta DOCG Riserva Brut Casa delle Colonne 2015 Fratelli Berlucchi

Trento DOC Riserva Dosaggio Zero 2021 Maso Martis

Lugana DOC Sant'Onorata 1953 2022 Nunzio Ghiraldi

Franciacorta '61 Satèn Berlucchi gift box with 2 glasses, 0,75 ℓ, Packaging with glasses

Franciacorta DOCG Brut Nature Cuvée 1564 2019 Castello Bonomi

Franciacorta Brut Nature DOCG Enrico Gatti

Trento Extra Brut DOC Giulio Riserva del Fondatore 2015 Ferrari

Lugana DOC 2025 Ottella

Trento DOC Riserva Dosaggio Zero Ororosso 2020 Cembra Cantina di Montagna

Franciacorta Extra Brut Rosé DOCG Millesimato 2022 Barone Pizzini

Trento DOC Extra Brut Rosé For4neri 2021 Zanotelli

Vermentino di Gallura DOCG Vigna'ngena 2025 Capichera

Trento DOC Brut Riserva Arminio 2017 Valentini di Weinfeld

Confirm switching to the professional platform?

Adding products to your cart