Montepulciano

Eggplant Parmesan features layers of breaded eggplant, tangy tomato sauce, and melted cheese creating a rich, umami-forward dish with bright acidic notes. The moderate acidity and red fruit character of Italian red wines cut through the richness while complementing the tomato sauce, while malt-forward beers with moderate carbonation provide balance without overwhelming the dish.

Eggplant parmigiana features layers of breaded eggplant, rich tomato sauce, and melted cheeses creating a hearty, umami-rich dish with pleasant acidity from the tomatoes. The recommended pairings balance the dish's richness with either complementary acidity (wines) or malt-forward character (beers) while having enough body to stand up to the substantial texture and flavors.

Orecchiette with sausage is a classic Puglian pasta dish featuring 'little ears' pasta with savory Italian sausage, often incorporating broccoli rabe, garlic, olive oil, and sometimes chili flakes. The richness of the pork sausage combined with the al dente pasta creates a hearty dish that calls for medium-bodied wines and beers with enough structure to complement the savory meat while cleansing the palate.

Pasta Bolognese features a rich, meaty sauce with deep tomato flavors and savory umami notes that benefit from beverages with enough structure to stand up to its hearty profile while offering complementary fruit and acidity. Italian red wines like Sangiovese cut through the richness with acidity while providing earthy notes that enhance the sauce, while malt-forward beers with caramel notes complement the savory meat and tomato flavors.

Pasta dishes span a wide range of flavors from light seafood preparations to rich meat sauces, but most share savory qualities with starchy pasta as the foundation. Wine pairings should match the sauce intensity, with medium-bodied reds complementing tomato-based sauces and crisp whites balancing cream or seafood preparations. Beer pairings offer carbonation that cuts through richness while complementing the grain-based nature of pasta itself.

Pasta with meat sauce (typically ragù or Bolognese) features rich, savory flavors from slow-cooked ground beef and tomatoes that pair beautifully with medium to full-bodied red wines with good acidity. The umami and fat content in the meat sauce is complemented by the bright acidity and cherry notes in Italian reds, while the malt-forward beer styles provide caramel notes that enhance the savory elements while having enough carbonation to cut through the richness.

The acidity in the tomato-based sauce calls for wines with good acidity and moderate tannins that can complement rather than compete with the dish. Medium-bodied Italian reds like Chianti and Sangiovese cut through the richness while enhancing the savory tomato flavors. For beer pairings, the caramel and toasted malt notes in Amber Ales and Vienna Lagers balance the acidity of the sauce, while Belgian Dubbels offer complexity that elevates this classic dish.

Pasta with tomato sauce features bright acidity and umami notes that call for wines with good acidity and moderate tannins to complement without overwhelming. The classic tomato sauce pairs beautifully with medium-bodied Italian reds that echo the dish's heritage, while refreshing, crisp beers with moderate hop character can cut through the sauce's acidity while complementing its savory elements.

Pizza's combination of acidic tomato sauce, rich cheese, and various toppings creates a complex umami profile that pairs beautifully with medium-bodied, high-acid red wines that can cut through the fat while complementing the tomato sauce. The carbonation in beer helps cleanse the palate between bites, with styles that offer enough malt backbone to stand up to the savory elements while providing refreshing contrast.

Montepulciano from Abruzzo is one of Italy's most reliable red wine values, and this bottle from Atilia showcases exactly why. Don't confuse this with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (which is actually Sangiovese from Tuscany) – this is the Montepulciano grape from its heartland along Italy's Adriatic coast, where it produces wines of remarkable depth and character at prices that won't make your wallet weep. Atilia crafts this wine to be approachable and food-friendly while maintaining the variety's distinctive personality. There's enough fruit to satisfy those looking for immediate pleasure, but with the earthy, savory notes that make Italian wines such perfect dinner companions. It's the kind of everyday red that Italian families would have on their table – unpretentious, honest, and utterly satisfying. Perfect for pizza night, pasta with red sauce, or any occasion that calls for a wine that delivers well above its price point.

Bulli Cor Vino Rosso is the kind of Italian red that makes you want to cook something delicious just to have an excuse to open a bottle. It captures that magical everyday drinkability that Italians have mastered – not too heavy, not too light, just perfectly balanced. The name 'Cor' means 'heart' in Latin, and this wine really does represent the heart of Italian wine culture – made to be enjoyed with food and friends, not to be analyzed to death. This blend of traditional Italian varieties delivers the bright acidity and savory qualities that make Italian reds so universally food-friendly. Keep a bottle on hand for impromptu pasta nights or whenever you need a taste of la dolce vita.

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is one of Italy's most reliable sources of good-value red wine, and LaFiera's version showcases why this central Italian classic deserves a place in your regular rotation. From the rugged Abruzzo region comes this crowd-pleasing red that delivers authentic Italian character without requiring a special occasion to open. Made from 100% Montepulciano grapes (not to be confused with the Tuscan town of the same name), this wine strikes the perfect balance between fruit-forward accessibility and traditional Italian structure. There's enough complexity to keep things interesting but not so much that it demands your full attention – making it perfect for casual dinners or gatherings where the wine is supporting cast rather than the star. At this price point, it's the kind of bottle you can confidently open for Tuesday night pasta knowing it will deliver far more pleasure than its modest cost suggests.