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.

Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC Il Tralcetto 2024 Zaccagnini

Franciacorta DOCG Brut Ferghettina

Franciacorta DOCG Pas Dosé Mosnel

Fiano di Avellino DOCG Riserva Vino della Stella 2022 Joaquin

Franciacorta DOCG Brut CruPerdu 2020 Castello Bonomi

Trento Brut Rosé DOC Maximum Ferrari

Trento Brut Rosé DOC Giulio Riserva del Fondatore 2010 Ferrari

Lugana DOC Riserva Sùere 2021 Cà Maiol

Trento DOC Extra Brut Rosé Millesimato 2022 Maso Martis

Franciacorta DOCG Extra Brut '61 Berlucchi

Franciacorta DOCG Brut Satèn Millesimato 2021 Mosnel

Alta Langa DOCG Brut Rosé Riserva Contessa Rosa 2019 Fontanafredda

Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons AOC 2022 La Chablisienne

Franciacorta DOCG Rosé Monique Lo Sparviere

Franciacorta DOCG Brut Nature Cuvée 1564 2018 Castello Bonomi

Chablis AOC 1er Cru Vaulorent 2022 Patrick Piuze

Chablis AOC 1er Cru Vaulorent 2023 Patrick Piuze

Alta Langa DOCG Blanc de Noir Brut 2021 Casa E. di Mirafiore