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If there’s one thing that pairs perfectly with a delicious, cheesy lasagna, it’s a glass of wine. But which wine should you choose? There are many different types of wines to choose from, so it can be tough to decide. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best wines to pair with lasagna, based on your preference. Whether you’re a red or white wine lover, we’ve got you covered. So next time you make lasagna, be sure to open a bottle of wine and enjoy!
In this blog post, we will discuss the best wine pairings for lasagna and why they work well together. Whether you prefer red wine or white wine, there is sure to be a pairing that suits your taste!
When it comes to wine pairings, there are a few things you need to take into consideration. The first is the sauce. Lasagna can be made with a variety of sauces, from a traditional tomato sauce to a more unique spinach and ricotta sauce. The type of sauce you choose will play a big role in determining which wine you should pair with your lasagna.
If you’re making a lasagna with a traditional tomato sauce, then you’ll want to pair it with a red wine.
A red wine will help bring out the acidity in the tomato sauce and provide a nice contrast to the richness of the cheese and meat. Some great red wine options for lasagna include Barbera, Chianti, or Sangiovese.
If you’re making a lasagna with a creamier sauce, then you’ll want to pair it with a white wine. A white wine will help accentuate the creamy flavors in the sauce and provide a nice balance to the dish. Some great white wine options for lasagna include Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or Chardonnay.
No matter what type of wine you choose to pair with your lasagna, make sure that it is a wine that you enjoy drinking! There’s no point in pairing a wine with your food if you don’t actually like the taste of the wine. Experiment until you find a pairing that you love and then stick with it!
Tomato sauces and creamy red and white wines such as Chianti Classico, Dolcetto, Barbera, Nero d’Avola, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel are best served with lasagna. The layers of cheese, meat, vegetables, and lasagna noodles demand a red wine with enough flavor to match this classic cuisine. Meanwhile, the tomato sauce requires acidity since tannin-rich wines will taste like tin against the tartness of the tomato sauce.
Wine recommendations for Lasagna are made with the classic version in mind. Modern versions of Lasagna have become more experimental and may be prepared with turkey, lamb, pork, squash puree, pesto sauce, eggs, goat cheese, or other ingredients that would alter these suggestions.
Best Wine with Lasagna
These are my top wine recommendations for lasagna. I hope you’ll find them helpful the next time you’re looking for the perfect wine to pair with your favorite dish!
Chianti Classico & Lasagna Pairing
Chianti Classico is the most well-known Italian red wine on the market. Chianti has a tart, earthy, herbal, and fruity flavor profile that is characteristic of Italy. The bright crimson and black cherry notes provide a nice change of pace against the rich flavors of Lasagna. Meanwhile, the acidity in the wine cleanses your taste buds, making each bite taste new. Lasagna is a dish that can be easily overindulged in because the first two or three bites are delicious.
However, without an acidic beverage to help clear away the carbohydrates and fat from your taste buds, they will become clogged. As a result, each bite gets less palatable in taste and we desperately stuff more Lasagna into our mouths in order to recall those first delicious bites.
Overindulgence is not an issue with Chianti Classico because the acidity cleanses your palate, making every bite taste like that initial first bite. As a result, you consume less since you are satisfied sooner. I wish I had known this secret in my undergraduate years; as an undergraduate, I frequently ate many 5-pound frozen Lasagnes before taking a long nap when I should have been studying.
Chianti Classico has a fruity, smoky, and herbal flavor that goes well with the chopped garlic, onions, mushrooms, meat, bell peppers and herbs in your Lasagna. For this combination, I used Chianti Classico specifically since it has a distinct meaning from just “Chianti.”
What is the difference between Chianti Classico and Chianti?
The name Chianti is used to designate the original area where Chianti was first produced. As Chianti grew in popularity, the limits increased, and anything outside of this initial region is now known as Chianti.
The name Chianti comes from the ancient Roman town of Can XTcencio, which was located where Langhirano is now. The region’s main red wine grape is Sangiovese (85 percent), with the remaining 15% made up of other varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
A minimum of 70 percent Sangiovese is required in Chianti, while a minimum of 80 percent Sangiovese is stipulated for Chianti Classico. While some Chiantis and Chianti Classico may be 100% Sangiovese, not all are created equal.
Plus, reading a wine bottle’s label may be difficult for newcomers to wine tasting. As a result, I often suggest looking for the “Gallo Nero” (black rooster) on wine bottles, which is the official seal for Chianti Classico.
The black rooster label on the wine bottle’s stem is a dead giveaway that it’s Chianti Classico.
Lasagna and Italian Barbera Pairing
Barbera is a red wine grape that’s low in tannin and naturally acidic. It’s grown in Canada, Argentina, Australia, and California, but it’s most well-known in Italy. Barbera d’Alba comes from the Piedmont region of Italy, where it’s also known as Barbera d’Asti (which is lighter-bodied and more acidic, but not by much). Fresh red fruit characteristics are common in Barbera del Monferrato, a lean and acidic type of this wine produced in the region around Alessandria.
Barbera from the three areas described above has a flavor that is similar to black and red cherry, and it’s best enjoyed fresh. You’ll also detect rustic tastes of herbs, earth, minerals, and spice, but these notes will be undetectable unless pointed out or if you’re sensitive to such components. The contrasting fruit flavors of Barbera complement the rich and complex textures of your Lasagna while also lending a welcome sweetness to the tangy and herbal tomato sauce.
Barbera from other areas is unpredictable because it may or may not be produced in this classic Italian style. Barbera from other areas can also be blended with other varieties, altering the flavor. Barbera can also be produced in a manner that allows it to mature, and these bottles are frequently quite pricey. So, choose a tasty Barbera d’Alba or Asti at a fair price with Lasagna.
Lasagna and Pinot Noir Pairing
Pinot Noir is a light, fruity red wine with cherry and strawberry notes. Pinot Noir was sometimes aged in Oak, which kept it acidic enough to not clash with the tomato sauce in your Lasagna. Pinot Noir also has an odd earthiness that pairs nicely with Lasagna meals made with mushrooms.
A fine Pinot Noir is a beautiful red wine, and you pay for that refinement and elegance. It’s not easy to make great Pinot Noir, and if you find a bottle under $20, I don’t think its dashing charm will win you over. I buy bottles of Pinot Noir ranging from $35 to $65 from California, New Zealand, or France since once you’ve experienced what good Pinot should taste like, there’s no way back to the poorly made bottles.
Lasagna and Zinfandel Pairing
Zinfandel is a red wine produced in California. It’s fruity, strong and smoky, and it’s often compared to BBQ sauce. Zinfandel, like BBQ sauce, has a sweet flavor with a touch of smokiness (though it isn’t a sugary red wine). Choose a mid-range to inexpensive Zinfandel when pairing Zinfandel with Lasagna. Expensive Zinfandels will be high in alcohol and syrupy, and they taste better slathered in bbq sauce topped with fatty beef cuts. Expensive Zinfandel may also have some significant oak aging, which can make the tannin more powerful while risking clashing with the tomato sauce.
A Zinfandel that is just starting out will have enough fruit to provide contrast against the layers of beef, noodles, and tomato sauce. The tannic qualities of Zinfandel stain your tongue with raspberry, cherry, and blackberry. Meanwhile, Zinfandel’s smoky undertones creep in to complement the earthy vegetables and baked cheese nuances.
Finally, you’ll detect notes of black pepper that blend well with the beef in your Lasagna.
If you want to stick with Italian red wines, try Primitivo, which is a cousin of the Zinfandel variety. Although Primitivo has an acidity comparable to that of Zinfandel, the strong fruit notes are muted while the spice and earthy notes are emphasized.
Does White Wine Pair Well with Lasagna?
White wine, on the other hand, compliments Lasagna’s savory flavors. As a result, you’re offering contrasting and refreshing tastes of fruit with white wine. Pinot Grigio is a great match for Lasagna since it’s simple to find on a wine menu by the glass (Every Italian restaurant that serves wine should include it), as well as being popular among guests.
Italian Pinot Grigio is a light, crisp white wine with delicate peach, pear, apple, and mineral nuances. Pinot Grigio has a dry mouthfeel owing to its high acidity. The acidity of Pinot Grigio lifts up the individual elements introduced in your Lasagna, so nothing goes unnoticed.
Lasagna and Rosé Pairing
Wines like Prosecco and Rosé, as well as Sparkling Wines such as Prosecco, are also recommended with Lasagna. If at all feasible, choose dry wines because Lasagna does not require sweetness; the tomato sauce is already sweet enough. Bubbly white wines are acidic, which helps to cleanse your palette, while Rosé is often tart yet dry, allowing it to cut through the gooey cheese and bring out the wonderful tastes in your Lasagna that you never knew existed.
FAQs
Does Chardonnay pair with lasagna?
Chardonnay is a buttery white wine with creamy, nutty, and toasty flavors. When young, Chardonnay will also have fruity notes of green apples, pears, and citrus fruits. However, as Chardonnay ages, the fruit notes will give way to flavors of honey, toast, and oak.
Chardonnay pairs well with lasagna because the wine’s creamy texture can stand up to the dish’s richness. The wine’s acidity will also help to cut through the lasagna’s heaviness. However, you should avoid pairing Chardonnay with lasagna if the dish is made with a tomato-based sauce.
What wine goes with eggplant lasagna?
If you’re making eggplant lasagna, then you should pair it with a wine that has similar flavors. For example, if your lasagna includes tomato sauce, then you could pair it with a red wine like Zinfandel or Primitivo. If your lasagna is made with a cream-based sauce, then you could pair it with a white wine like Chardonnay. You could also pair eggplant lasagna with a Rosé or Sparkling Wine.
What wine goes with vegetarian lasagna?
If you’re making vegetarian lasagna, then you should pair it with a wine that has similar flavors. For example, if your lasagna includes tomato sauce, then you could pair it with a red wine like Zinfandel or Primitivo. If your lasagna is made with a cream-based sauce, then you could pair it with a white wine like Chardonnay. You could also pair vegetarian lasagna with a Rosé or Sparkling Wine.
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