Best Wine Pairings for Lasagne: Expert Recommendations

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Discover the best wines to pair with lasagne, enhancing your dining experience with perfect acidity and flavor balance.

Lasagne is a beloved Italian dish that brings comfort and joy to many. Its rich layers of pasta, béchamel sauce, and savory minced beef create a complex flavor profile that can be challenging to pair with wine. However, the right wine can elevate this classic meal to new heights. The secret lies in selecting wines that possess good acidity; this quality helps to cut through the creaminess of the béchamel and complements the hearty flavors of the beef.

Choosing the Right Wine

When it comes to pairing wine with lasagne, red options are often preferred due to their robust flavors. According to Matthieu Longuère MS, a wine development manager at Le Cordon Bleu London, ripe and juicy red wines work best. He recommends trying:

• Barbera from Italy
• Beaujolais made from Gamay
• Austrian Zweigelt

Sommelier Eric Zwiebel MS echoes these sentiments, suggesting Dolcetto, Barbera, and Blaufränkisch as excellent companions. If you’re looking for something lighter, a rosé can also complement lasagne nicely.

Embrace Regional Authenticity

To enhance your dining experience further, consider sticking with regional wines that grow alongside Italian cuisine. The old adage "what grows together goes together" holds true here. Sangiovese is a dominant grape variety in Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany, making it an ideal choice for lasagne.

Felix Paffard, a sommelier at Nipotina restaurant in London, emphasizes Sangiovese’s natural acidity which cuts through richness beautifully. He suggests classic Italian reds such as:

• Chianti
• Barbaresco
• Barolo
  These wines not only harmonize with the tomato sauce but also enhance the overall taste experience.

Wines to Avoid

While pairing bold reds may seem tempting, caution is advised. Longuère warns against wines that are too oaky or tannic as they can overpower the dish’s delicate flavors. Overly light wines like Lambrusco may also fall flat against lasagne’s richness. The goal is to find vibrant yet substantial wines that stand up well next to this hearty dish.

White Lasagnes and Alternatives

Not all lasagnes feature meat or tomato sauce; creamy white versions made with ricotta or mushrooms offer different pairing opportunities. A lightly oaked Chardonnay is an excellent match for these dishes as it balances creamy textures without overwhelming them.

Alessandro Mannello from The Kitchen at Holmes restaurant recommends looking for white wines that complement earthy flavors while maintaining good acidity. He suggests:

• Oaked Chardonnay from Piedmont for added creaminess
• Unoaked Chardonnay for brighter notes
  For those preferring red wine with white lasagnes, consider a light-bodied Pinot Noir which offers earthy notes that align beautifully with mushroom fillings.

Vegetarian Lasagne Pairings

Vegetarian lasagnes open up even more pairing possibilities depending on their ingredients. For lighter vegetarian options, dry whites such as food-friendly Italian varieties or fresh unoaked Chardonnays can provide refreshing contrasts without overpowering subtle flavors.

Next time you prepare this Italian classic—whether it’s traditional meat-based or a vegetarian twist—consider these expert recommendations for wine pairings. A well-chosen glass of wine can elevate your meal into an unforgettable culinary experience.

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