3 Best Wines to Pair With Pasta Bolognese

The union of acidity in a red sauce and red wine is a sublime pairing. The crucial element is picking a wine that harmonizes the sweetness of the tomato and the richness of the meat (if included). These wines aren't just for meat sauces — they'll also pair wonderfully with a simple spaghetti. Here are three distinct wine types to sample with pasta, ranging from exquisite, higher-priced vintages to affordable options, and even a sparkling variety.

If you're feeling flush.

Barolo and Barbaresco are Italy's most prized reds (they're often called the king and queen). Both made from the Nebbiolo grape, they have beautiful aromatics and a serious acid-tannin structure that are fantastic with Bolognese. For Barolo, look for bottles with several years of age on them from producers like Vietti or Cavallotto. Barbaresco is usually ready to drink a little younger. The best producers include Bruno Giacosa and Roagna (both of whom also make Barolo).

If you're feeling less so.

So, you don't want to spend a lot? Or think too much? Then you can't go wrong with Barbera. This northern Italian grape tends to have happy cherry fruit and tart acidity that's great with rich sauces. Look for bottles from the same producers as above.

If you're feeling fun.

If you follow the theory that what grows together goes together, then you should pair Bolognese with its home region's best-known wine: Lambrusco. These sparkling wines (usually red) range from pink and off-dry to dark, tannic, and brooding. Look for one somewhere in the middle, with bright berry fruit, such as bottles from Zanasi or Medici Ermete.

Here's how to find more Italian wine pairing options from our executive wine editor.

Kristin Donnelly is a former Food & Wine editor and author of the forthcoming The Modern Potluck (Clarkson Potter, 2016). She is also the cofounder of Stewart & Claire, an all-natural line of lip balms made in Brooklyn.