Who doesn’t like pasta? This classic food from the Alpine country is suitable for any occasion, and it will certainly be even more enjoyable with the right pairing of wine and pasta. But what is the best wine to pair with pasta? Does pasta go with white or red wine? It may seem like a simple matter, but you will discover a wide range of surprising options below.
Pasta and wine: everything you need to know
Rigattone, fetuccini, spaghetti, farfalle or tortellini are just some of the many varieties of pasta you can find on the market. With ingredients such as durum wheat semolina, water and salt, the Italians have succeeded in creating a myriad of world-renowned dishes. Long, short or stuffed, al dente or more tender, with one texture or another, the concept is always the same: a cooked pasta that offers a fairly neutral flavour and goes with all kinds of sauces that give it personality.
So, choosing a wine for pasta will not depend on the preparation, but on the sauce with which you are going to finish the dish (tomato, meat, cheese...). This is key.
Wine for pairing pasta with tomato sauces
Tomato sauce is a classic for these dishes. Whether using a ready-made sauce or fresh homemade one, there are several ingredients that can be added, so when it´s time to choose a wine, making it one of the most versatile options.
Tomato adds an important taste factor: acidity. It may be watered down, but it is always there to a greater or lesser extent. To attenuate and match this characteristic of the tomato, for this type of recipe you should choose a wine that is not very acidic, so forget about a young white wine. Go for a red Crianza wine with low acidity, either single varietal or blended. For instance, an Ederra Crianza is an excellent choice.
If you opt for a Bolognese sauce or add meat to the tomato, the pairing of pasta and wine changes, as the recipe has a higher fat content. In this case, we recommend a fuller-bodied wine, such as a Legaris Crianza or one with Ribera de Duero Designation of Origin.
Wine for pairing pasta with pesto sauce
When you hear the word pesto, that delicious and intense green sauce made of basil, olive oil, parmesan cheese and pine nuts come to mind. And yes, that is indeed the traditional recipe for pesto from Genoa. But generally speaking, it can be anything with a green leafy vegetable and nuts as the main ingredient. So, a range of possibilities of wines for pasta with pesto sauce opens up.
For a traditional basil sauce, with that powerful and concentrated taste of the aromatic herb and cheese, a white wine with fruity or floral hints is ideal. Legaris Sauvignon Blanc de Rueda with its herbaceous and fresh notes is the perfect wine for pasta with any green leafy sauce.
For a more daring option, try this Can Matons Pansa Blanca, is a perfect wine for pasta with pesto sauce. You won't be disappointed by its intense aroma of white fruit and its Mediterranean origin.