Carbonara is a pasta dish known for its rich and complex flavours and is an incredible experience for the palate when paired with the right wine. In this guide, we’ll explore why certain types of wines, such as crisp whites, complement carbonara and suggest a variety of wines to suit your tastes.
What to Keep in Mind With Carbonara Wine Pairing
Even if you aren't well-versed in the world of viticulture, there is no denying that something really special happens when food and wine collide. A good pairing can completely alter the experience of a meal. However, a thorough understanding of all the ingredients involved can help ensure a successful pairing.
Carbonara is known for its rich flavours and textures. Delicate pasta and creamy egg complement the salty guanciale (cured pork), bold pecorino romano cheese, and hints of black pepper. This beautiful medley deserves a wine pairing that truly honours each flavour note, enhancing the experience.
Flavour & Texture Considerations
Every ingredient has its own unique voice that truly deserves to be recognized. Take the egg, for example. Its subtle flavour and silky, creamy texture call for a pairing that complements rather than overwhelms. A wine that gently accompanies, honouring its flavour without stealing the spotlight. On the other hand, the guanciale adds a whole new dimension. Its rich and fatty characteristics yearn for a wine with a little acidity to create the perfect balance.
Next, we have pecorino romano, recognized for its assertive saltiness. A wine pairing must enhance its boldness while also showcasing its distinct flavour. And we can't forget about the black pepper. It is strong, intense, and lingering, leaving a lasting impression on the palate, and demands a wine that can match its power without being overshadowed by its charm.
When pairing carbonara with wine, it's essential to choose a wine that stands firm and is prepared to fulfill its role. The perfect choice exhibits specific qualities that are essential in this culinary performance. Subtle acidity, for example, harmonizes beautifully with the dish’s rich components. A strong structure acts as a backbone that sustains the overall experience while allowing the main culinary stars to shine. This wine should also have a gentle softness that complements the dish rather than overpowering it.
Red, White or Sparkling?
For those who prefer red wine, a low-tannin choice is ideal. The wine should preserve the essence of eggs and complement the hints of black pepper. Look for reds that feature a spicy charm reminiscent of this ingredient.
White wine enthusiasts need a vibrant companion. White wines like Soave and Pinot Bianco shine, featuring notes that refresh the palate with every delicious bite. Allow these selections to accompany your carbonara. Their acidity provides a crisp counterpoint to the richness of the dish.
For those who prefer effervescence, a sparkling rosé can be a pleasant choice. Its crispness and joyful bubbles elevate every bite. This bubbly partner enhances the richness of carbonara sauce, transforming each mouthful into a vibrant dance of flavours.
The options for pairing wine with carbonara are limitless. In this section, we'll explore some of the most popular wine choices that complement carbonara.
The Best Wines to Drink with Carbonara
To sum it up, if you’re looking for the perfect wine to pair with carbonara, you’ll need to select one that possesses all the following qualities:
- A mild acidity offsets the rich aspects of the dish.
- A firm structure that enhances the dish’s rich texture without overshadowing the main ingredients.
- A softness that enhances the dish instead of overshadowing it.
Sparkling Wines
Sparkling Rosé
The flavour profiles of sparkling rosé largely depend on the grape variety, production style, and duration spent on the lees (leftover yeast particles from fermentation). Nonetheless, common tasting notes include red fruit, cherries, citrus, and white flowers.
Sparkling Whites
Sparkling white wine is diverse, as its taste is influenced by the various grape varieties used and the production methods employed. Ranging from dry to sweet and everything in between, these delightful bubbles offer a fizzy mouthfeel that makes them enjoyable to drink. Consider pairing your carbonara with a dry blanc de blanch produced in the traditional method.
White
Frascati Superiore
Frascati Superiore wines are sourced from the northern slopes of the Colli Albani hills, located southeast of Rome, Italy. These dry, still white wines are mainly crafted from Malvasia grapes, offering flavours of fresh, aromatic fruits like apple and pear, along with hints of wild herbs.
Soave
Soave is a dry white wine from Italy's Veneto region, primarily near the city of Verona. It is produced from Garganega grapes cultivated around the medieval village of Soave in Northern Italy. This wine is celebrated for its melon and orange zest flavours and its aging potential.
Pinot Blanc
Pinot blanch, or pinot Bianco is renowned for its versatility. This grape can be found across various regions and countries, such as Alsace, northern Italy, Austria, Germany, and Burgundy. It belongs to the Pinot grape family, featuring Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
Pinot blanc grapes are generally small and densely clustered, with thin skins that lead to a lower yield per vine. The wine produced from these grapes tends to be dry, exhibit moderate acidity, and have a light to medium body. While it often presents a delicate floral aroma, it is primarily celebrated for its creamy texture.
Rosé
Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo
This wine is made from the Montepulciano grape in Italy's Abruzzo region. The term Cerasuolo, meaning cherry-like, refers to the wine's deep colour, which is achieved through even minimal skin contact with the intensely pigmented skins of the Montepulciano grapes. At the heart of Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo lies a vibrant line of acidity that offers a delightfully refreshing experience. Surrounding this central note are flavours of berries, citrus, and flowers, occasionally complemented by herbaceous and savoury hints that dance on the palate.
Valtènesi Chiaretto
Chiaretto is an exquisite wine crafted in Italy's Lake Garda region, derived from four black grape varieties found in Valtènesi: Groppello Gentile, Barbera, Marzemino, and Sangiovese. The Aura Valtènesi Chiaretto Riviera del Garda Classico by Cavaliere del Garda presents a wonderfully dry, full-bodied, and aromatic experience on the palate. This light rosé is both balanced and complex, delivering a delightfully long finish characteristic of youthful wines from the Lombardy wine-growing region, with aromatic notes of lychee and pomegranate.
Red
Bardolino
Bardolino is a light red wine produced along the eastern shores of Lake Garda in Italy's Veneto region. This fruity, juicy wine is made from Corvina and Rondinella grapes, sourced from a local Veneto vine. These robust wines feature deep black fruit flavours and spices in a well-structured profile with strong tannins. Common flavours include cassis, plum, black cherry, cedar, oak, vanilla, spice, and smoke.
Gamay
Gamay is a grape variety primarily grown in Beaujolais and the Loire Valley but also shows promise in the Niagara region. When tasting, anticipate tart notes of red plum, raspberry, and red cherry and hints of earthy undertones.
Syrah
Syrah is primarily grown in France's Rhône Valley. DNA testing reveals its origins as a cross of two French varieties: Dureza, an obscure black, and Mondeuse Blanche, a minor white. Syrah typically features dark fruit flavours, such as brambly berries, mountain berries, and plums. In cooler climates, red fruit notes may also appear. Common savoury notes include cracked peppercorns, leather, and bacon, alongside hints of flowers like violets.
Best Niagara Region Wines to Pair With Carbonara
Bachelder Les Villages Bench Chardonnay
The grapes for this Chardonnay are sourced from several vineyards across the Twenty Mile Bench appellation. This wine boasts rich complexity and mineral notes, showcasing vibrant aromas of green pear, nectarine, fennel seed, and vanilla, complemented by a hint of wet clay.
Peller Estates Pinot Grigio
This easy-drinking, refreshing white wine is sourced from vineyards in Niagara-On-The-Lake and across the globe. It presents enticing aromas of cantaloupe, yellow berries, and pear, accented by a subtle touch of chocolate. With an extra-dry, medium-bodied profile, it boasts vibrant flavours of melon, berries, and pear.
Want to learn more about which wines might best suit your favourite dishes? Book a Wine Tasting and Lunch Tour with Winery Guys Tours for a guided experience through wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake, featuring a curated wine and charcuterie tasting. Book Now.