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.

Trento DOC Dosaggio Zero Letrari

Franciacorta Brut Rosé DOCG Flamingo Monte Rossa

Franciacorta DOCG Pas Dosé Riserva 33 2017 Ferghettina

Franciacorta Rosé Nature DOCG Millesimato '61 2018 Berlucchi

Franciacorta DOCG Brut Cuvée 22 Castello Bonomi

Franciacorta DOCG Brut Blanc de Blancs Edea Mirabella

Franciacorta DOCG Riserva Brut Casa delle Colonne 2015 Fratelli Berlucchi

Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC Il Tralcetto 2024 Zaccagnini

Soave Classico DOC Brognoligo 2024 Cecilia Beretta

Franciacorta DOCG Extra Brut Comarì del Salem 2018 Uberti

Trento DOC Brut Perlé 2019 Ferrari

Trento DOC Brut Riserva Arminio 2016 Valentini di Weinfeld

Alta Langa DOCG Metodo Classico Extra Brut Millesimato 2021 Cascina Chicco

Trento DOC Brut 2021 Revì

Greco di Tufo DOCG Goleto 2022 Tenute Capaldo

Trento Brut Rosé DOC Altemasi

Alta Langa DOCG Riserva Extra Brut 2020 Coppo

Franciacorta DOCG Pas Dosé Èssenza Clarabella

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