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.

Vermentino di Gallura Superiore DOCG Monteoro 2025 Sella & Mosca

Trento DOC Dosaggio Zero Riserva 2017 Letrari

Franciacorta DOCG Dosage Zéro Rosé Millesimato 2020 Bellavista

Chablis AOC 2024 Louis Jadot

Lugana Riserva DOC Molceo 2021 Ottella

Franciacorta DOCG Brut CruPerdu 2020 Castello Bonomi

Lugana DOC Santa Cristina 2025 Zenato

Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOP Fosso Cancelli 2022 Ciavolich

Petit Chablis AOC Fortis 2023 Patrick Piuze

Chablis AOC Terroir de Fleys 2023 Patrick Piuze

Alma Assemblage Trilogy by Bellavista, 3 x 0,75 ℓ bottles, High-quality cardboard box

Chablis Premier Cru Vaucoupin AOC 2024 Domaine Michaut

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC Classico Superiore Ergo 2022 Mirizzi

Chablis AOC Premier Cru 2022 Ropiteau Frères

Franciacorta DOCG Brut Rosé Millesimato Freccianera 2022 Fratelli Berlucchi

Alta Langa DOCG Brut Cuvée 36 Mesi 2017 Gancia

Trento Riserva Brut DOC Perlé Rosé 2018 Ferrari

Franciacorta Brut DOCG Cuvée Prestige 45 Jeroboam Travel bag, Jeroboam 3 ℓ, Duffle bag

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