Hello! Welcome to Wine Travelista.
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Wine
  • Food
  • Work With Me
  • Shop
  • Wine Candle Holder
  • Contact
  • Web Stories
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
    • Travel
    • Wine
    • Food
  • Freebies
    • Wine Destination Quiz
    • Wine Tasting Planner
    • Wine Trip Packing List
  • Shop
    • Shop My Favorites
    • Wine Barrel Candle Holder
    • Wine Club
  • Work With Me
  • Contact

Wine Travelista

Food · March 28, 2023

The Perfect Wine Pairings for Pesto Sauce

Wine pairing with pesto sauce

Are you looking for the perfect wine pairing with pesto?

This herbal, nutty sauce is an Italian classic. And it can be used to spice up your meals in so many ways.

Whether you’re indulging in a simple pesto pasta, enjoying a zesty pesto pizza, or using it to top some grilled chicken, take your meal up a notch with the right wine pairing.

Read on for my pesto wine pairing guide. Plus, get a classic recipe for homemade pesto sauce that will go beautifully with your glass of wine.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

BTW, if you haven’t yet, make sure to grab my free Wine Tasting Planner. It has 20+ wine night theme ideas, including the exact ones I’ve used for my wine tastings. Plus, a timeline, food pairings, games, free printables, worksheets, and more. Get your copy here.

Table of Contents Hide
1. What is Pesto?
2. What’s the Best Wine Pairing with Pesto?
3. Creative Ways to Use Pesto
4. Pesto Recipe Equipment
5. Pesto Recipe

What is Pesto?

Pesto ingredients

This herbal green sauce comes from Genoa, a city in Northwestern Italy. Classic pesto is made with fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic cloves, parmesan cheese, and olive oil.

If you want to go authentic, the basil, pine nuts, and garlic should be hand-ground using a mortar and pestle. This gently releases the aromas of the basil.  

However, most people today use a food processor to speed up the task.

If you want to get creative, you can swap out the basil and pine nuts for other herbs and nuts. Try Thai basil and peanuts. Or pepitas and cilantro. You can even add sun-dried tomatoes to spice things up a bit.

Pin for Later!

What’s the Best Wine Pairing with Pesto?

With pesto’s fresh herbal flavors, the best wine pairing will have complementary “green” flavors. An herbaceous white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Vermentino is the perfect match. Depending on the dish, you could also go with a red wine like Cabernet Franc or Sangiovese.

When pairing pesto with wine, you also need to think about how you’re using the pesto. Are you having it as a simple pasta dish? With a light seafood dinner? Or with grilled meats that have more of a smoky flavor?  

You’ll want to choose a wine that works with the entire dish and not just the pesto. Otherwise, one can overpower the other.

Pesto sauce in a white bowl with ingredients surrounding it

White Wine Pairing with Pesto

When choosing a white wine to go with this herbal sauce, look for an herb-driven wine. In wine, these aromas and flavors are often described as things like green bell pepper, asparagus, mint, and fennel.

You’ll also want a dry white wine that hasn’t been oaked. An oaked Chardonnay with pesto, for example, would likely overpower the sauce’s delicate flavors. At the same time, the wine shouldn’t be too light.

Sauvignon Blanc

This popular white wine is one of the aromatic wines. Meaning it has intense aromas and fruit flavors. It’s also known for its herbal notes because it’s high in pyrazines (the same aroma compound found in green bell peppers).

You’ll often find citrus fruit flavors like grapefruit and lime. Along with tropical fruit like passionfruit.

Sauvignon Blanc is a very acidic wine. So, it’s the perfect pairing with foods that also have high acidity.

That’s why it’s a great option when adding pesto to seafood like salmon, shrimp, or white fish. Take it up a notch by squeezing a little lemon juice on top. Or it’s great on leafy greens and veggies too.

Marlborough, New Zealand is best known for this herb-forward style.

But if you want to stick with Italian wines, you can find Sauvignon Blanc in Friuli Venezia-Giulia. Ones from this Northern Italian region will have similar green pepper notes, grapefruit, and elderberry.

In a jam and don’t have any Sauv Blanc at home? You could also go for a zesty Albariño or Verdejo from Spain. A Grüner Veltliner from Austria would be a good match too!

For more about this wine, check out my post on the differences between Sauvignon Blanc vs Pinot Grigio.

Vermentino

When it comes to Italian white wines, there are loads of great pesto pairing options. From Piedmont’s Gavi to Sicily’s Grillo to Campania’s Fiano d’Avellino…I could go on, but you get the picture.

Going by what grows together goes together, Vermentino should be your go-to pairing. Genoa is the capital of the Liguria region, where you’ll find this Italian white wine.

While lower in acidity and less herbaceous than Sauvignon Blanc, it has the minerality and sometimes an almondy quality that work well with this green sauce. And it’s a great match for the garlicky flavors in pesto too.

You’ll find citrus notes like lime and pink grapefruit, along with nutty and floral aromas.

Vermentino’s light body goes best with vegetarian pesto dishes like pesto lasagna. Or it can work with lean meats like pesto chicken.

If you can’t find Ligurian Vermentino, you can also look for it from the Italian island of Sardinia.

Red Wine Pairing with Pesto

While white wine is usually the better option for pesto pairing, you can go with lighter red wines in some cases. You’ll want one that has high acidity. And it helps if it also has some herbal notes.

Avoid high-tannin wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, which will leave a bitter taste in your mouth when combined with pesto’s green flavors.

Cabernet Franc

Like Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc is also high in pyrazines. So, it often has the same green bell pepper quality that pairs well with pesto.

This red wine typically has red fruit aromas like raspberry and strawberry. Plus, a bit of black pepper on the finish.

Cabernet Franc works best with heavier meat dishes with pesto. Think red meats like steak or grilled pork chops. Or even a seared tuna steak can pair nicely.

France’s Loire Valley is the best source of single-varietal wines made from this grape. Look for ones from Chinon, Bourgueil, or Saumur-Champigny.

But you can get Cab Franc from Italy too! In Tuscany’s Bolgheri region, you’ll often find ones that have more of a dried fruit flavor characteristic.

Sangiovese

While this red wine can have higher tannins, I recommend it for pesto versions that use sun-dried tomatoes.

Sangiovese is a classic pairing with tomato sauce pasta. It’s often described as having dried herb characteristics like oregano and thyme. So, it also goes great with the herbs and dried tomatoes in this version of pesto.

This grape also has the acidity to balance the concentrated flavors that come from the drying process. And just the right amount of body to match the sauce’s weight.

Try it when using sun-dried tomato pesto in Italian cuisine like meat lasagna or pesto pasta and meatballs. Or how about pizza with sun-dried tomato pesto sauce?

You can’t go wrong with a classic Chianti Classico. But for special occasions, I love a good Brunello di Montalcino or a Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Creative Ways to Use Pesto

Pesto ingredients on a counter
Pesto sauce in a bowl

Pesto is very versatile. There are virtually endless ways to use this herbal, nutty sauce.

Of course, being an Italian invention, the classic way to use it is on Italian food. And what’s more Italian than pasta?

The obvious choice is for coating your pasta noodles. But how about a pesto lasagna? Or try mixing it into your ravioli filling. And don’t forget it makes a fantastic pizza sauce too!

Pesto also goes great with both red meats and white meats. Try it as a marinade for baked chicken breasts. Or drizzled over grilled skirt steak.

And you can’t go wrong with seafood and pesto. Whether salmon, shrimp, or scallops, it makes the perfect match.

For some vegetarian options, I love it as a salad dressing, a topping for roasted veggies, or on a baked potato.

You can even use it for appetizers like bruschetta or as a veggie dip. Buon appetito!

Want more Italian food wine pairings? Check out Carbonara wine pairings, bolognese wine pairings, and chicken marsala wine pairings. Or find out the best shrimp scampi wine pairing.

Pesto Recipe Equipment

For this recipe, you’ll need the following equipment:

  • Food processor – I prefer this one
  • Rubber spatula
  • Garlic press
  • Cheese grater
Shop my kitchen essentials

Recommendations may be affiliate links on which I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me share new wine destinations with you and I only recommend products and services that I love and think you’ll love too!

Wine pairing with pesto sauce

Pesto Recipe

This classic pesto sauce can be used in many ways and goes great with herbal wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino, and Cabernet Franc.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time:15 minutes mins
Total Time:15 minutes mins
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Dip, Pasta, Sauce
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 2 cups basil leaves
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • salt
  • black pepper

Instructions

  • Combine the basil leaves and pine nuts in a food processor. Use the pulse setting until chopped into fine pieces. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides so the mixture is at the bottom of the food processor bowl.
  • Add the cheese and garlic and pulse to combine. Scrape down the sides as needed.
  • Pour in the olive oil a little bit at a time. Keep the food processor running while adding the olive oil.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Which wine pairing did you choose to go with your pesto sauce?

Learned something new?
buy me a glass of wine

Posted In: Food · Tagged: dinner, food, pesto, sauce, wine, wine pairing

You’ll Also Love

Filet mignon steak and asparagus with filet mignon wine pairingThe Best Wine with Filet Mignon (Steak Pairing Guide)
View of Porto port houses in Vila Nova de Gaia, including Calem CellarsThe Best Porto Port Houses for Tastings & Tours
Bottle of dry Chardonnay and glass of white wineIs Chardonnay Sweet or Dry? Wine Sweetness Explained

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Next Post >

The Best Wineries in Dry Creek Valley (Wine Tasting Itinerary)

About Photo
Hello there! I'm Laura, the Wine Travelista — your go-to gal for winederlust inspiration, travel tips, and foodie destinations.

Get a Free Wine Tasting Planner

Support Wine Travelista

Buy Me a Glass of Wine

Wine Travelista Faves

Visit the Shop

Shopping through my links helps keep my content free at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Reader Favorites

hey there!

I’m Laura, the Wine Travelista — your go-to gal for winederlust inspiration, travel tips, and foodie destinations. I’m a WSET certified oenophile who loves helping others find good wine and save time and money on travel. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Wine Travelista

  • Home
  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Contact

Blog

  • Travel
  • Wine
  • Food

Shop

  • Wine Stave Centerpiece
  • Travel Essentials
  • Wine Accessories
  • Picnic Faves
  • Cooking Necessities

Freebies

  • Wine Destination Quiz
  • Wine Tasting Planner
  • Wine Trip Packing List
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms and Conditions

Copyright © 2023 Wine Travelista · Theme by 17th Avenue

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Read More
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT