Egg-based, durum wheat semolina, long, short, or stuffed, dry, and fresh pasta is a staple of the Mediterranean diet and an icon of Italian gastronomy. But to pair them, the secret is not in the pasta; it’s in the sauce!
Are you a fan of pasta and wine? If so, you may wonder which wine to pair with your favorite pasta dish. The answer lies in the type of sauce you use. Each factor will impact the ideal wine pairing, whether it’s a creamy, acidic, herbal, or vegetable-based sauce with meat or seafood. Don’t worry if you’re unsure how to make the perfect pairing – we’re here to help!
Alfredo
Alfredo sauce is a creamy and delicious sauce that is widely popular. It is usually served over hot fettuccine, and its ingredients are simple yet effective. Garlic, Parmesan cheese, butter, salt, black pepper, and cream create this sauce when mixed in the right proportions. It goes perfectly with barrel-aged Chardonnays like Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay. This wine has undergone malolactic fermentation, making it an excellent complement to dishes with butter, cheese, or cream. It brings freshness, elegance, and vitality to the plate.
Arrabiatta
Arrabiata is an unfailing tomato sauce from Rome that is spicy and essential. Made only from a mixture of tomato, garlic, olive oil, and chili, it is often served with penne pasta and pairs well with medium-bodied wines and medium tannins such as Marques de Casa Concha Merlot. The pronounced flavors of berries and red plums in the wine complement the acidity of the tomato and enhance the dish’s dimensions. Note that wine generally increases the spicy sensation of the food.
Bolognese
Bolognese sauce is one of the most popular sauces, and it truly deserves a special mention. This delicious sauce is made with tomato sauce, meat, carrots, celery, and sometimes red wine. It is usually served with spaghetti. Due to the fat content of the meat, this dish requires a red wine with a fuller body. Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon, with a soft palate that masks firm tannins, pairs perfectly with this type of sauce, especially if seasoned with black pepper.
Pesto Genovese
This sauce is a favorite of many vegetarians and is known for its intense flavor of basil, pine nuts, garlic, salt, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. This Genoa sauce is perfect for pairing with potato gnocchi, ravioli, or spaghetti and can be enjoyed with white and light red wines. Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay or Marques de Casa Concha Pinot Noir are great options to balance the sauce’s intensity.
Marinara
Marinara sauce differs from Arrabiatta sauce because it does not offer a spicy taste. Made with tomato, garlic, herbs (usually basil), and onion, it provides a simpleyet delicious flavor that suits all palates. Due to its main ingredient being tomato, it needs to be paired with wine that maintains the balance between acidity and sweetness. A red wine such as Marques de Casa Concha Syrah is an ideal choice, as its concentrated cherry and blackberry flavors perfectly complement the acidity of this dish.
Frutti di Mare
When incorporating seafood like clams, mussels, or shrimp into sauces, either with butter and herbs or with tomato sauce, it is best to pair them with dry, crisp, and aromatic wines such as whites like Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay. Even if the sauce has tomato, a rosé wine such as Marques de Casa Concha Rosé Cinsault works well, providing fresh, delicate, and mineral notes.
Who said that a midweek pasta dish has to be boring?
With these suggestions, you can transform your home-cooked meal into a culinary experience!
