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For many Italian food lovers, no fresh pasta dish is complete without the perfect glass of wine. With a nearly endless supply of dishes and grape-based drink variations, it can be challenging for even the most advanced wine connoisseurs to find the right pairings between the two. Luckily, the experts at Paul's Pasta Shop, Connecticut’s best Italian restaurant, are here to share their quick guide to pairing the right wine with your favorite pasta dish.

A Guide to Pairing Pasta & Wine

Creamy Pasta

When it comes to creamy pasta, you can choose just about any wine for a great taste. However, if you want to enhance the smooth flavors of the dish, go with a dry, white wine such as Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. Light-bodied, slightly floral or earthy red wines also match well with cheese-heavy pasta such as ravioli, so consider a delicious Pinot Noir if you prefer red over white.

Tomato-Based Pasta

When eating tomato-based dishes, you want to enhance the acidity of the fruit, not counteract it, so choose a red wine. You can go slightly dry or slightly sweet depending on your preference, but it needs to have a bit of a bite to give your taste buds the best experience. Sangiovese is a popular red wine that matches the acidity of tomatoes deliciously.

CT's Best Italian Restaurant Explains How to Pair Pasta & Wine  |  Paul's Pasta Shop in Groton, CTWhile not every eatery offers the same dishes, all the best Italian restaurants offer one beloved signature tomato-based pasta: spaghetti and meatballs. The combination of tomato, red meat, and fresh pasta suits a mid- to deep-bodied red wine such as Zinfandel or Merlot. This rule can also be applied to pasta featuring an acidic sauce and red meat.

Seafood or Chicken Pasta

Many pasta dishes include some seafood or white meat, and such options require different wine choices than their red meat counterparts. Non-heavy, dry white wines offer the right level of aggressiveness to balance out the natural smoothness of chicken and fish. Pinot Grigio is a great choice for seafood or chicken pasta dishes, especially when it's accompanied by a cheese sauce.

Try out these delicious meal pairings for yourself by visiting Paul's Pasta Shop in Groton, CT. The restaurant offers an assortment of fresh pasta, homemade sauces, and delicious wines perfect for lunch, dinner, or your catered event. Learn more about the best Italian restaurant in southeastern Connecticut by viewing their online menu or calling (860) 445-5276.

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