The Best Wines to Pair with Italian Dishes

Italian food and wine go together; the beautiful combination of rich, herb-infused cuisine and aged, tangy wine create dining experiences that can't be beat.

When it comes to fine dining and Italian food, taste pairing is everything. There's a reason Italian food and wine go together; the beautiful combination of rich, herb-infused cuisine and aged, tangy wine create a dining experience that can't be beat.

Here is a small guide to help you choose the best wine to go with your meal. Whether you are noshing on pizza, seafood, decadent thin bread or a time-honored pasta dish, the right wine can make all the difference in making your meal simply amazing. Use this guide the next time you go to your favorite Italian grill for decadent cuisine so you don't get confused when the wine list comes your way.

If you are having a classic pesto dish, then pair it with a classic wine. Pinot grigio is known for its robust yet simple flavor, and is a white wine that will bring out the charm of pesto. If you are having bread with your meal, talk to your waiter about the best types of bread that will bring out the most flavor in your wine choice so you can fully complement your meal.

The richer the red sauce you have in your pasta or pizza dish, the more tangy and bold you want your red wine to be. An excellent choice is zinfandel, which not only matches the rich tones of a zesty pasta sauce note for note, but adds its own flair to tantalize your taste buds.

Zinfandel is an excellent choice for pairing with meat-based dishes as well, such as Italian meatballs or a zesty pork dish. Don't be afraid to ask your waiter to sample different makers of this decadent wine so you can choose the flavor that best meets your palette.

Chianti is perhaps one of the most popular wines to pair with Italian dishes. Chianti is a very dry red wine that goes best with a cheese dish or a light salad, although you can pair Chianti with any meal for a true Italian culinary experience. Ask your waiter what dishes they recommend in their restaurant for Chianti wine so you can enjoy both your drink and your meal to its fullest.

Any creamy Italian dish calls for a flirtatious chardonnay. Pair chardonnay with Alfredo dishes or any cuisine that calls for a lighter meat, such as chicken or clams. Chardonnay is also a great wine to choose if you don't consider yourself a wine enthusiast, as chardonnay has a pleasing flavor that won't overwhelm your taste buds.

Seafood dishes call for a fruity wine that is bursting with pear, apple and other light essences. Pinot gris fits the bill and brings out the creamy opulence of lobster, crab, clam, oyster and calamari dishes.

If you love a fruity and fun wine, then don't be afraid to pair pinot gris with any dish that calls for a light and buttery sauce or your favorite side cheeses. Your waiter will be happy to show you the seasonal wine list where fruity and decadent wines take center stage.

Wine and Italian food go together in terrific ways. The right wine will take your favorite cuisine to a whole new level of flavor and decadence. Your favorite Italian restaurant will have a lovely wine list for you to explore, and with the knowledge you've gained about wine pairings, you will be able to choose the best one for your dining experience.

Don't be afraid to venture from your favorite wines to try something new. At Picano's Italian Grille, your dining satisfaction is what matters to us most. Explore our menu and our expansive wine list today.