25th October 2021 | Pairings & Recipes | 4 minute read
In life, somethings are just destined to be together. And what better combination is there than a fresh pasta dish and a glass of your favourite vino? We think none! Therefore, we have teamed up with our friends over at Pasta Evangelists to bring you some iconic pasta pairings that will really hit the spot this autumn. Oh, and just a warning, you are about to become very, very hungry!
A favourite amongst pasta lovers, this Carbonara from Pasta Evangelists is gloriously creamy and brimming with flavour. A rich sauce made from cream and the freshest of egg yolks coats tangles of fresh bucatini pasta, whilst pancetta is added for that deep, salty intensity which helps to balance out the dish. Simply divine, this is an impeccable choice when you are looking for a quick meal to satisfy even the most discerning pasta connoisseurs.
A great match for this dish would be the Brio Pinot Grigio 2020. This charming Pinot from northern Italy is fresh and light in body, with bright apple and pear aromas on the nose. On the palate expect an excellent weight to the wine which is accompanied by citrus notes. The freshness helps to balance the rich creamy nature of the sauce, whilst the acidity creates the perfect combination with the salty pancetta for a delicate finish. This pairing is simply wonderful.
Pasta Evangelists have taken a humble beef ragu to the next level. Slow cooked beef shin which simply melts in the mouth is used in this classic dish creating the ultimate comfort food. Not only that but this ragu has been taken up a notch with the addition of a good glug of Barolo – an Italian wine produced in the Piedmont region. What more could we ask for? Seasoned to perfection, this dish is full on flavour, lusciously heart warming and perfect for a cold wintery evening.
Of course, there are so many wines that would pair perfectly with this pasta. An obvious choice would be a big Italian red like the Barolo used in the dish or perhaps a Chianti. However, we think the Tall Gum Shiraz Cabernet 2020 is an ideal match. This Aussie style Shiraz blend is robust and full of dark fruit flavours, balanced by a touch of clove. The full body stands up to the weight of this pasta dish, whilst the flavours will balance with the red wine sauce, without overpowering it.
For those lucky enough to have visited the sun soaked coastline of Italy, you may have memories of some of the little family-run restaurants perched by the coast serving up the freshest seafood pasta dishes you could possibly imagine. Well, that same great taste can be enjoyed with this Crab and Chilli Ravioli. Capturing the essence of Italy, this dish incorporates succulent crab meat and fiery red chilli’s, packaged up into little parcels of fresh pasta. Served with a light lemon butter, created using fruit from the Amalfi coast, adding a little zing, and sprinkled with lemon-infused pangrattato (breadcrumbs) to finish. Pure bliss.
The Billy Bosch Highwire Chenin Blanc 2020 would create an exceptional combination here. This South African white is bright and clean with green fruit flavours and a fresh citrusy note on the palate which brings out the lemony flavours of the dish. The acidity will help to counteract the heat from the chilli and bring out the freshness of the crab making this wonderfully satisfying. This wine also has a little more weight to it than perhaps a Sauvignon Blanc or a Pinot Grigio, which helps withstand the weight of the pasta.
With foraging for wild mushrooms being common practice in Italy in areas such as Piemonte and Toscana, this dish really is an Italian classic. These thick ribbons of fresh pappardelle mop up every last drop of this creamy sauce, made using the finest porcini mushrooms. Full of intense earthy flavours, this dish is damn right delicious.
This pasta calls for a medium bodied red, with enough weight to stand up to the earthy tones. The Uggiano Lucere Chianti DOCG 2019 is a fine choice here. An extremely food friendly wine, this Chianti has bright red cherry notes, with a touch of earthiness, marrying up with that rustic edge of this dish. And of course, Italian food with Italian wine is always a great option, making it difficult to go wrong.
We have all enjoyed a traditional lasagne in the past, usually bubbling with layers of ragu and béchamel sauce, but this is a somewhat newer creation developed by Pasta Evangelists. Sheets of fresh lasagne are layered up with a beautifully fragrant basil pesto, along with verdant green beans, and that classic béchamel sauce. Inspired by the culinary heritage of Liguria, where pesto is a staple, this dish is the perfect combination of bright and fresh, yet still as comforting as a traditional lasagne.
When it comes to choosing a wine for this dish we need to consider the fresh and fragrant flavours as well as the weight and richness that comes from the creamy béchamel. The Elisa Gavi 2020 is a good balance here and compliments all elements. This vino has the aromatic nature expected from Gavi which perfectly compliments the basil pesto, whilst being slightly richer in style than other whites, pairing perfectly with the richness of the dish.
Has all that pasta talk got you feeling hungry? Let Pasta Evangelists do all the hard work for you with their meal boxes which can be cooked in as little as 5 minutes! They’re even offering 50% off your first order when you use the code VIRGIN50. Head over to their website below for more details.
