Best Wines for Italian Food & Pasta
Few combinations are as perfect as wine with pasta. Italian food and wine just go together like bread and butter.
With so many flavor profiles, Italian fare requires pairing with wine that can support whatever marriage is currently on the plate. From robust tomato and slow-cooked meats to cream and fresh-caught seafood, the ingredients used in Italian recipes demand good wine to round out any meal.
Italian wines are generally highly acidic. As a general rule, white wine pairs well with creamy sauces and butter-based dishes, whereas red wines highlight entrées that feature tomatoes and bolder flavors.
These are the best wines to enjoy with Italian food and pasta.
Red Wines
Red Italian wines are perfect for any occasion. From pizza night to a romantic evening or just general wine drinking, Italian reds fit the bill.
Sangiovese
Sangiovese is Italy's most prominent grape. Used in wine blends like Chianti, it pairs especially well with Italian staples and pasta dishes that rely heavily on tomato sauce, such as lasagna.
Brunello di Montalcino is a 100% Sangiovese grape wine that many wine critics cite to be the best in Italy. With notes of dried figs, candied cherries, hazelnuts, and sun-baked leather, this wine includes a succulent acidity and tannins that turn chocolatey. It is a great accompaniment to heavier dishes like Wild Boar All Amatriciana and Wagyu File Minon Satimbocca.
Chianti
Few wines say "Italian" more than tart, spicy, and herbaceous Chianti. Most often seen in signature straw-wrapped bottles, this iconic symbol decorates many Italian restaurants.
Chianti is actually a blend of Tuscan grapes and is best served with the most robust of Italian meals. Castello di Ama is a classic Chianti that pairs perfectly with grilled items like the Australian Wagyu Margaret River New York Strip and more traditional dishes like Akaushi Wagyu Beef Cheek Lasagna and Classic Fiola Meatballs.
Sunday family dinners demand a good Chianti.
White Wines
White Italian wines are perfect alongside seafood and cream-based pastas. They also highlight desserts and celebrations quite well.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is a light-bodied white wine with a mildly acidic taste. It features aromas of lemon-lime, pear, apricots, and peaches with the flavors of citrus, green apples, and minerals.
Torresella Pinot Grigio comes directly from Venice, where it is carefully aged for two to three years. It pairs quite nicely with dishes like Fiola Lobster Ravioli, Fettuccine Carbonara, and Canary Island Grilled Branzino.
Prosecco
Prosecco is a sparkling white wine from the Veneto region of north-eastern Italy. It differs from Champagne based on the area of the world where the grapes are grown and the method of production. The flavor notes of Prosecco lean toward a fruity floral profile that is ideal for celebrations and as an accompaniment to desserts.
Marsuret Cartizze Cru Prosecco has delicate notes of ripe fruit and flowers and an intense fragrance. It goes well with Fiola Tiramisu, Fiola's Grand Chocolate Cake, or any happy occasion.
Fiola Ristaurante & Bar Miami
The best wine for Italian food can be found at Fiola in Coral Gables, Florida. Offering the excellent cuisine and culture of Italy to the greater Miami area, the restaurant features an equally impressive wine program. With an amazing wine cellar filled with 8,000 thousand bottles, Fiola is the perfect place to explore more about Italian food and wine pairings. In fact, we host frequent wine pairing dinners with vineyards and notable winemakers like Antinori, Gaja, and Vega Sicilia.
Book a table today to experience our extensive wine list during dinner, lunch, Sunday brunch, or one of our Sunday family dinners.
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