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.

Alta Langa DOCG Pas Dosé Blanc de Blancs 2022 Contratto

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico DOC Riserva Serra Fiorese 2022 Garofoli

Franciacorta DOCG Pinònero Riserva 2017 Contadi Castaldi

Vermentino di Sardegna DOC Giunco 2024 Mesa

Vermentino di Gallura Superiore DOCG Monteoro 2024 Sella & Mosca

Franciacorta DOCG Dosage Zéro Rosé Millesimato 2020 Bellavista

Franciacorta DOCG Brut Satèn Clarabella

Alta Langa DOCG Pas Dosé Blanc de Noir Vigna Gatinera 84 Mesi Riserva 2015 Fontanafredda

Fiano di Avellino DOP Riserva 2018 Rocca del Principe

Franciacorta DOCG Extra Brut Rosé Annalisa Faifer 2020 Clarabella

Alta Langa Brut DOCG Limited Edition 2019 Fontanafredda

Franciacorta DOCG Pas Dosé 180 2017 Clarabella

Fiano di Avellino DOCG Morandi 2021 Feudi di San Gregorio

Greco di Tufo DOCG Chianchetelle 2021 Feudi di San Gregorio

Fiano di Avellino DOCG Sacconi 2021 Feudi di San Gregorio

Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC La mia Pecora is Pink 2024 Zaccagnini

Franciacorta DOCG Brut Satèn Santa Lucia

Franciacorta DOCG Extra Brut Riserva Brolo dei Longhi 2017 Santa Lucia