What to drink with Italian dishes

Our Top 3 Wine Pairings with Lesser-Known Italian Dishes

Here's why we suggest three perfect wines to pair with three lesser-known Italian dishes.

1) With Cacciucco (Fish Soup)

Let’s start with an appetizer (primo piatto in Italy): cacciucco, a fish soup originating from the city of Livorno in Tuscany. Once called the "poor man's soup," this dish is said to have appeared in the 16th century to feed the children of the port. Made with a variety of fish and seafood (shrimp, octopus, squid, lobster, clams) and slices of bread soaked in a red wine sauce, cacciucco is now one of Tuscany's trendiest dishes.

Pairing a wine with cacciucco can be challenging due to its rich composition. We recommend choosing a crisp, mineral dry white wine that echoes the briny flavor of the seafood. However, the wine should also be structured and fruity enough to match the red wine marinade. Opt for a Burgundy wine from the Meursault appellation or a Rhône Valley wine from the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation.

2) With Arancini with Mozzarella

Perhaps you’ve already had the chance to try these small breaded rice fritters in an Italian restaurant. Arancini are true stars of Italian cuisine and the favorite snack of Sicilians. The name "arancini" comes from the word for orange ("arancione" in Italian) due to their round shape and color, which is somewhat similar to the fruit.

The traditional arancini recipe includes rice, saffron, and Bolognese sauce, but one variation involves adding mozzarella, much to the delight of our taste buds! To accompany them, nothing beats a Mediterranean pairing. Go for a young, fruity dry white wine from Corsica or a rosé from the Côtes de Provence appellation.

3) With Zuppa Inglese

Made of sponge cake, cocoa cream, and custard, "zuppa inglese," which means "English soup," is inspired by the English dessert "trifle" and is said to have been popularized in the 15th century by an Italian diplomat returning from a trip to London. Now very famous in Bologna and Ferrara, zuppa inglese differs from the English trifle, as custard replaces whipped cream, and the Italians have added maraschino, a cherry liqueur similar to kirsch.

For this dessert, which combines sweetness, crunch, and richness, it’s best to choose a rich and sweet wine without any tannins. Red wines are excluded in favor of white wines. An Alsace wine from the "vendanges tardives" category in the Gewurztraminer appellation or a sweet wine from the Southwest of France in the Pacherenc-du-Vic-Bilh appellation would be perfect.

FAQ - Wine and Italian food

Should you drink white or red wine with Italian food?

It mostly depends on the sauce rather than the dish itself. A tomato sauce or a slow-cooked meat calls for a soft, fruity red, while a preparation built on fish, fresh cheese, or olive oil pairs better with a crisp white. The trick is to match acidity and texture, not just the main ingredient.

Can French wine be served with pasta or pizza?

Yes, French wine pairs very well with Italian classics as long as the balance between acidity and richness is respected. A light red from the Rhône Valley or a dry white from Burgundy, for instance, can stand up to a tomato sauce or a cheesy topping without overpowering it.

What temperature should white wine be served at with Italian dishes?

A dry white wine meant to accompany briny or Mediterranean flavors is best served between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius. Too cold, it loses its aromas; too warm, it feels heavy next to dishes often seasoned with olive oil or citrus.

What wine goes with a sweet Italian dessert?

For a dessert rich in cream or sponge cake, a sweet or late-harvest white wine works better than a red, whose tannins clash with sugar. The goal is to match a sweetness level at least equal to the dessert, otherwise the wine tastes flat by comparison.

Are there French grape varieties close to Italian wines?

Some French grape varieties share an aromatic kinship with Italian ones like sangiovese or nero d'Avola, mainly through their freshness and present yet supple tannins. Many reds from the South of France show that same liveliness found in wines from the peninsula.