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The flavor of any meal can be either enhanced or hampered by your choice of wine. Pasta dishes are no different. To get the most out of your dining experience, here are some pasta dishes and the best wines to have with them.

What Are Some of the Best Pasta-to-Wine Pairings?

1. Tomato Sauce

The acidic nature of tomato sauce is best paired with medium-bodied, tangy red wine or a crisp, dry white wine. Ideally, you want a wine with an equal acidity to complement the food. Some excellent pairings include a full-bodied, dry Cabernet Sauvignon, the smoky finish of a Zinfandel, or a dry, warm red with a bitter finish, like a Rosso di Montalcino.

2. Cheese Sauce

Light-bodied white wines, like Chardonnay, are ideal pairings with cheese-based pasta because they enhance the creaminess of softer cheeses. Pinot Noir pairs well with hard-cheese dishes, like spaghetti carbonara. The floral, aromatic Reisling also goes well with these meals.

3. Pesto

imageLight-bodied, soft red wines or crisp, dry white wines pair well with the zesty, tangy pesto pasta dishes. Pesto is typically basil and cilantro based, so the dryness of white wines like Verdicchio or Soave pair well. Medium red wines such as a fruity Merlot or a savory, rustic Sangiovese are equally complementary to the zest of pesto.

4. Seafood

Crisp, dry white wines, such as a Pinot Grigio, are ideal pairings that will not overwhelm the flavor of fresh seafood pasta. Salmon dishes, on the contrary, pair well with the fruit and smoky flavors of a Pinot Noir. Some other potential wine pairings are a Grenache Blanc with dominant notes of citrus and green fruit, the equally dry, light-bodied citrus-flavored Muscadet, or the light-bodied, floral Chablis with its hint of pear.

 

Whether you are a wine connoisseur, have a passion for quality Italian dishes, or a little of both, stop by Gianna Via’s Restaurant & Bar in Pittsburgh, PA, for a quality dining experience. Between pasta and pizza, Gianna Via’s guarantees delightful dishes and drink recommendations. Call (412) 882-6599 or visit their website for more information.

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