The Perfect Wine For Pasta And Cheese Sauce

When it comes to wine and pasta, it's all about the sauce. While pasta itself has a fairly neutral flavour, its accompanying sauce—be it tomato-based, creamy, or meaty—can make or break a wine pairing. So, what wine goes well with pasta and cheese sauce?

Chardonnay is a good pairing

Chardonnay is a versatile wine that can be paired with a variety of cuisines and dishes. Its subtle nature, however, can be easily overwhelmed by pungent foods. It pairs best with mild, buttery, and creamy dishes, making it an ideal choice for pasta with cheese sauce. The rich, mild flavours of Chardonnay enhance the creaminess of the cheese, creating a harmonious pairing.

When pairing Chardonnay with food, it is important to consider the weight (body) and acidity of the wine. In the case of pasta with cheese sauce, a light-bodied Chardonnay is the best choice. Additionally, Chardonnay's subtle flavours can be enhanced by serving it with dishes that are not too spicy, pungent, or acidic. This makes pasta with cheese sauce an excellent choice, as the cheese adds creaminess and richness without overwhelming the wine.

Chardonnay is also a good pairing for pasta with cheese sauce because it complements the silky texture of the dish. Chardonnay is known for its smooth and silky mouthfeel, which pairs well with creamy and rich dishes. Pasta with cheese sauce often has a creamy texture, and the wine's silkiness enhances the sensation, creating a pleasant dining experience.

Lastly, Chardonnay's subtle flavours can be accentuated by serving it with dishes that have toasty notes. For example, Chardonnay pairs well with dishes that have toasted nuts, pastry crust, or grilled components. Some pasta with cheese sauces incorporate these elements, such as a puff pastry crust or grilled vegetables, making them an excellent match for Chardonnay.

Pinot Noir is another option

When it comes to wine and pasta, the choice of wine depends on the sauce. For pasta with a cheese sauce, a light-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir is a good option. This is because almost any wine will pair well with cheese, and a light red will complement hard cheeses in particular.

Pinot Noir is a red wine with a relatively tart flavour and a middleweight body. It is an excellent choice for pasta with a cheese sauce, as its acidity will cut through the richness of the cheese. The wine's dryness will also help to balance out the creaminess of the sauce.

If you are serving a pasta dish with a hard cheese, such as parmesan, then a Pinot Noir will be a particularly good pairing. The wine's tartness will provide an enjoyable contrast to the intense flavour of the cheese. Pinot Noir also pairs well with root vegetables, so if your pasta dish contains ingredients like carrots or potatoes, this wine will be a good choice.

Pinot Noir is a versatile wine that can be enjoyed with many different types of food. It is a good option for pasta with a cheese sauce, as it will complement the cheese while also cutting through the richness of the dish. This wine is sure to enhance your dining experience.

It depends on the type of cheese

When it comes to wine and cheese, the type of cheese is a key factor in determining the best wine to choose. A fresh cheese sauce will be different from a sauce made with strong, hard cheeses. The creaminess of the cheese is also important. A wine with some creaminess, like an oak-aged Chardonnay, will complement the creaminess of the cheese.

For a cheese sauce made with strong, hard cheeses, a light-bodied red wine with floral touches is a good choice. A Pinot Noir, for example, pairs well with hard-cheese pasta like spaghetti carbonara. A red wine with floral notes will also complement the intensity of the hard cheese.

If you're looking for a wine to pair with a creamy cheese sauce, a silky wine that enhances the smoothness of the sauce is a good choice. A Rueda wine Verdejo, for example, has the right amount of freshness and acidity to be the perfect accompaniment. A well-balanced white wine, like a Raimat Chardonnay, will also be a good match.

For those who prefer a more intense cheese flavour, a light red wine with floral notes is a good option. A Montsant's red wine, like Bruberry, has the right amount of silkiness and floral aromas to stand up to stronger cheeses.

Creamy cheese sauces need silky wines

When it comes to pasta with a creamy cheese sauce, the wine you choose will always depend on the type of cheese used. A fresh cheese sauce is different from one made with strong, hard cheeses. However, what defines this kind of recipe is its smoothness and creaminess, so the best choice is a silky wine that maintains and enhances these sensations.

A great choice of wine for pasta with a cheese sauce is a Rueda wine Verdejo. For example, La Charla, a Verdejo with an initial freshness and just the right acidity, can become the perfect accompaniment to this type of sauce. Another option is a Raimat Chardonnay varietal, a well-balanced white wine that will also be a hit. If you love stronger cheeses, you will need a light red wine with floral touches, such as Bruberry, a Montsant's red wine that goes well with harder cheeses.

Other silky wines that pair well with pasta include Clos LaChance winery's SILKY white wine, which has aromas of white nectarine and honeysuckle and flavours of tangerine with a hint of vanilla. This wine pairs well with Gruyère or Cheddar cheese. Salmon or fatty fish with rich sauces also pair well with silky white wines from the New World (California, Chile, or Australia).

Reds are better with meat added

When it comes to pasta and cheese sauce, the wine you choose will depend on the type of cheese used. A fresh cheese sauce will differ from a sauce made with strong, hard cheeses. Generally, a wine with some creaminess, like an oak-aged Chardonnay, will highlight the creaminess of the cheese. If you're adding meat to your pasta and cheese sauce, you'll want to choose a bolder, fuller-bodied red wine.

If your cheese sauce is made with fresh cheese, a silky white wine like a Rueda wine Verdejo or a well-balanced white wine like a Raimat Chardonnay will be a good pairing. These wines will complement the smoothness and creaminess of the sauce.

On the other hand, if your cheese sauce is made with strong, hard cheeses, a light-bodied red wine with floral notes will be a better choice. A red wine like Bruberry, a Montsant's red wine, will complement the harder cheeses well.

When you add meat to your pasta and cheese sauce, the recipe becomes richer and has a higher fat content. In this case, you'll want to choose a fuller-bodied red wine. A Legaris Crianza or a wine with a Ribera de Duero Designation of Origin is recommended. These wines will stand up to the heartiness of the dish.

So, while there are some great wine pairings for pasta and cheese sauce, when you add meat, a bolder red wine is the way to go.

Frequently asked questions