Lasagna is a classic Italian dish that is hearty, filling, and delicious. One of the best things about lasagna is that it’s versatile and can be paired with a variety of different wines. So if you’re struggling to decide on the best wine to serve with lasagna, you’ll be happy to know that there are many choices available.
I often host dinner parties and love to serve Italian food because it’s universally liked, so you know your guests are going to enjoy it. But then comes the tough question of what wines to serve with it, because while everyone might love Italian food, not everyone loves the same type of wine. Do you serve white or red?
Since the red sauce in a classic lasagna is rather flavorful and robust, with rich mozzarella cheese, there are many red wines that can pair well with it. But that doesn’t exclude all whites.
Also find out what wines to serve with spaghetti or maybe try one of these Italian drinks instead of wine.
What Wines Pair Well With Lasagna
As a general rule, lasagna with tomato sauce has a lot of acidity to it, so you need to pair it with a wine that also has acidity, or it won’t be able to hold up to the food.
The Italians know what they’re doing when pairing tomato-based pastas with wines. Fruity red wines with a bit of acidity, such as Chianti Classico, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, or an acidity white whine, are great choices, because they have enough acidity to
Wines to Serve Based on Sauce
- If you’re serving a traditional lasagna with red sauce and ricotta or bechamel, a light, easy-drinking wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc is a good choice. These wines have a clean, refreshing flavor that pairs well with the acidity in the tomatoes.
- If you’re serving a meat sauce, on the other hand, you’ll want to choose a wine with a little more body to stand up to the richer flavors. A good option here would be a Chianti or Merlot.
- If you’re making a lasagna with white sauce, you might want to serve it with a fruit-forward red wines with some acidity, such as a Sangiovese, Chianti Classico, Barbera, or Montepulciano.
Does Red or White Wine Go Best With Lasagna?
Again, there’s no right answer here. The type of wine you choose should be based on the type of sauce in your lasagna.
Both red and white wines can be paired with lasagna. If your sauce is a red sauce, it will go better with a red wine, while a creamy white sauce will likely go better with a white wine.
In any case, you will need a wine that has a high acidity in order to stand up to the acidity in the tomato sauce, or cut through the richness of the cream sauce.
Personal Preference
Oftentimes when we’re looking for a wine pairing for our food, we go by the rules of pairing alone. But you should also take into account your own personal preferences when it comes to wine. It’s not just about what wine goes with lasagna. It’s about what wine you will enjoy drinking with the food.
If you like your wine on the sweeter side, you may want to pair your spaghetti with a wine like moscato or lambrusco. If you prefer a drier wine, you may want to go with a wine like Chianti or Barbera. The important thing is to choose a wine that you enjoy drinking and that will pair well with the flavors of your dish.
As long as you choose a wine that pairs well with the sauce you’re using, has a high enough acidity, and that you enjoy drinking, you’ll be sure to have a delicious meal.
Recap
The best wines to serve with lasagna are red wines that are high in acidity and have bold flavors. These wines can stand up to the hearty flavors of lasagna and will complement the dish perfectly. Some of the best red wines to pair with lasagna include:
- Barbera
- Chianti
- Sangiovese
If you are looking for a white wine to pair with lasagna, look for a wine that is rich and has a creamy texture. White wines that pair well with lasagna include Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Viognier.
No matter what wine you choose to pair with lasagna, make sure it is of good quality. A good quality wine will make all the difference in the taste of your dish.
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Laura is the founder and editor of the travel blogs Savored Sips and Savored Journeys. She is dedicated to sharing the best information about drinks found around the world.