Dining Like in Italy: How to Pair Lasagna and Wine

Nothing says Italian dinner like a classic lasagna paired with the perfect wine. However, with all the different ways to make lasagna and hundreds of options for wine, it may be challenging to know which lasagna style pairs with which wine. In this article, we will discuss the best lasagne and wine pairings.

The best wine pairing for lasagna is a medium-bodied, juicy red wine like Barbera, Gamay, Beaujolais, or Sangiovese. These wines accompany traditional lasagna’s rich flavor profile coming from beef, red sauce, pasta, bechamel, and cheese superbly. And they have just the right combination of acidity, tannins, and alcohol to stand up to its creamy texture.

For other non-traditional lasagna styles, you may need to stray from classic Italian red wine. Depending on the ingredients, a lighter red or even a white wine is the right match. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss the most popular lasagna and wine pairings in more detail:

• Lasagna al Forno and Wine
• Spinach Lasagna and Wine
• Chicken Lasagna and Wine
• Asparagus Lasagna and Wine
• Mozzarella Lasagna and Wine

But first, let us learn some details about lasagna’s history.

THE HISTORY OF LASAGNA

Lasagne is a versatile dish that can contain meat, vegetables, traditional pasta, and red as well as white sauces. Combining these ingredients in various ways can result in very different culinary experiences and also in different wine pairings.

Traditionally, lasagna is served as a main course or as a “primo piatto” (English: first course) ahead of the main meat dish. With meat, a red sauce, and cheese, it’s a rather heavy dish.

Before the infamous tomato was brought from the New World to Italy in the 16th century, the Italians made lasagna with sheets of pasta, soft cheese, spices, and a meat ragu sauce. For the sauce, they used different types of meat, such as wild boar, sausage, beef, or pork, and combined them with wine, milk, oil or butter, pancetta, carrots, onions, and celery. Eventually, they added tomatoes to the recipe.

With the rise in popularity of lasagna throughout the world, more and more variations came up in many different regions of the world. Many of them, especially vegetarian styles, are much lighter and address different preferences.

WHICH LASAGNA AND WINE PAIRINGS WORK BEST?

Like for other foods, you should always try to match the intensity and weight of the dish with the intensity (body) of the wine: Bold wines go with rich meals, and light-bodied wines pair well with light dishes. You can also prepare your pairings based on color: White wine for white meat and red wine for red meat.

With these rules in mind, let us discuss the most common lasagna and wine pairings.

Lasagna Al Forno and Wine

Traditional lasagna is called Lasagna Al Forno (English: Lasagna from the oven). It contains meat sauce, layers of pasta, ricotta, mozzarella cheese, and typical Mediterranean spices such as oregano and basil. To celebrate the culture of this dish, we recommend traditional Italian red wines, including Chianti and pure Sangiovese wines. Alternatively, a Spanish Rioja is a nice match.

Especially Chianti Classico wines from the Tuscany region are good picks. These complex wines stand out with aromas of red and black fruits, earthy and herbal flavors, and notes of tobacco or licorice. With about 20 USD per bottle, they are also quite affordable:

If you feel like splurging for a super special dinner, try a Gran Selezione wine. These wines are the best of the best from the Tuscany region. Typically, they are significantly more expensive than regular Chiantis, but they are absolutely worth the money and will make a great Lasagna and wine pairing:

Spinach Lasagna and Wine

If you prefer a meat-free preparation, there are some great lasagna and wine combinations for you, too. One of the most popular recipes is based on spinach.

Choose, for instance, a bottle from the Italian Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG. These wines have crisp, zesty flavor profiles with notes of lemon and herbs. Especially in the United States, many wine lovers are unaware of them, so you can add an interesting tidbit to dinner conversation (especially if you mention the iconic towers of the city of San Gimignano, which is the wines’ home).

If your recipe is heavy on the mushroom side, consider a lighter-bodied and low-tannin red such as a Pinot Noir. With its red fruit flavors and elegant tannins, it is a great match for your spinach lasagna.

Chicken Lasagna and Wine

Chicken lasagna is typically a white sauce-based lasagna that is mild in flavor but very creamy and cheesy. Serve this dish with a bolder white wine like an Oaked Chardonnay from California or South America.

A Vermentino is a great pairing too. It comes with flavors of white fruits and bright acidity that can cut through the creamy texture of the lasagna.

If your chicken lasagna recipe happens to use a red sauce, you may consider a stronger red wine, such as the earlier mentioned Chianti or a Merlot. For the latter, consider wines from the Italian region of Südtirol. They have tremendous fruity sweetness with notes of mint and basil and a chocolate finish.

Asparagus Lasagna and Wine

Asparagus lasagnas tend to vary dramatically from the traditional preparation. They include ingredients such as sun-dried tomatoes or pancetta instead of the traditional red sauce. For these lasagnas, you have to find a match for the creamy sauce or the accent flavors like the sun-dried tomatoes or pancetta rather than for the asparagus.

Be aware of bottles under 10 USD. They are often of minor quality and fail to represent the varietal’s qualities.

Verdicchio wines that match Asparagus lasagna come, for instance, from the Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOCG in Italy. They offer flavors of straw, apple blossom, and light spice at a reasonable price.

Mozzarella Lasagna and Wine

Mozzarella lasagna differs from traditional lasagna in one specific aspect: It does not contain ricotta or bechamel sauce and instead uses only Mozzarella. Typically, these types of lasagna still have a meat sauce or ragu, which provides the flavor you want to complement your wine pairing. However, if you are open to experimenting with different wine flavors, try an Aglianico wine from Southern Italy. When young, it is strong in tannins and acidity and has a full body. Older vintages will yield a smoother wine.

FINAL WORDS

No matter what style of lasagna you plan to prepare or order for your next dinner, there is a wine that will pair beautifully. With a little upfront research, you will definitely find a delicious lasagna and wine pairing that pleases all of your guests. Buon appetito!