What is The Best Wine Pairing with Spaghetti?

Are you ready to take your spaghetti night to a whole new level of deliciousness with wine pairing with spaghetti? We've all been there, craving a plate of perfectly cooked pasta with a delectable sauce. But here's the thing: choosing the right wine to pair with your spaghetti can make all the difference.

Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or just looking to elevate your pasta experience, we're here to guide you through the art of wine pairing with spaghetti. In this tasty journey, we'll uncover the best wines to complement your favorite pasta dishes and ensure your next Italian-inspired meal is an absolute triumph. 

Understanding the Basics of Wine Pairing

Pairing wine with food is like composing a harmonious symphony for your taste buds, creating a balance that elevates both the wine and the food. The right wine can complement the flavors, textures, and aromas of a dish, enhancing its nuances and making it more enjoyable. It's a sensory journey that involves considering the wine's acidity, body, and flavor profile in harmony with the characteristics of the food, such as its ingredients and preparation.

When done right, this culinary alchemy can result in a dining experience that's greater than the sum of its parts, leaving you with a sense of satisfaction and delight that only a perfectly paired wine and dish can deliver. Let's delve into some key factors to keep in mind:

1. Wine to Pair with Spaghetti: The Primary Considerations

When selecting the ideal wine for your spaghetti dish, it's essential to consider the sauce's characteristics. Different sauces can significantly influence your wine choice. Here are a few primary considerations:

a. Tomato-Based Sauces: If you're indulging in classic spaghetti with marinara or a rich tomato-based sauce, opt for a wine with good acidity. A medium-bodied red, like a Chianti, or a light and zesty red like Pinot Noir, can be an excellent choice.

b. Meaty and Hearty Sauces: For meaty and hearty sauces, such as a Bolognese, consider a full-bodied red wine, like a Sangiovese or a Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines can stand up to the bold flavors of the meat.

c. Seafood Sauces: If your spaghetti features seafood, like a clam or shrimp scampi, go for a crisp and refreshing white wine. A dry Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, or Pinot Grigio can be a fantastic match for the delicate seafood flavors.

d. Creamy and Cheesy Sauces: Creamy and cheesy pasta dishes, such as Alfredo or carbonara, call for a white wine with good body. A rich Chardonnay can complement the creamy textures and add a buttery note to your meal.

2. Wine Pairing with Spaghetti: The Flavor Profiles

To create a harmonious pairing, consider the flavor profiles of both the wine and the spaghetti dish. Here are some general guidelines:

a. Sweet vs. Dry: For a sweeter tomato sauce, opt for a dry wine to balance the sweetness. A dry red wine like a Barbera or a Malbec can be an excellent choice.

b. Balance Acidity: A wine with a similar or slightly higher acidity level than your sauce can provide a well-balanced pairing.

c. Regional Pairings: Sometimes, matching an Italian pasta dish with an Italian wine can create a delightful synergy. For instance, a spaghetti carbonara with an Italian Vermentino can be a lovely match.

Wine to Pair with Spaghetti: A Few Recommendations

Now that we've covered the essential considerations let's explore some specific wine recommendations that can elevate your spaghetti experience.

1. Chianti - The Classic Choice

Chianti, a red wine from Tuscany, Italy, is a classic choice for tomato-based spaghetti sauces. Its medium body and high acidity cut through the richness of the sauce, making it a timeless pairing for traditional Italian dishes.

2. Pinot Noir - A Versatile Option

Pinot Noir, known for its versatility, is an excellent choice for various spaghetti dishes. Its light to medium body and bright acidity make it a go-to option for both tomato-based and creamy sauces.

3. Sauvignon Blanc - A Refreshing White

For seafood pasta dishes, consider a Sauvignon Blanc. This white wine's zesty and citrusy flavors complement the delicate taste of seafood, providing a refreshing contrast.

4. Sangiovese - Robust and Flavorful

Sangiovese, a red wine prominent in Italian cuisine, pairs wonderfully with meaty and hearty spaghetti sauces. Its robust flavor and moderate tannins can enhance the richness of meat-based dishes.

5. Chardonnay - Creamy and Buttery

When enjoying creamy and cheesy pasta dishes, a Chardonnay is an excellent choice. Its buttery texture and subtle oak notes harmonize with the creamy components of the sauce.

Savoring Spaghetti with Pacific Rim & Co.

Choosing the best wine to pair with spaghetti is a delightful journey of discovery. The key lies in understanding the ingredients, the sauces, and the flavor profiles to create that perfect pairing. So, the next time you prepare a plate of your favorite spaghetti, don't forget to reach for a bottle of wine that complements your dish. It's a culinary adventure that's always worth the journey, and it's the secret ingredient to making your pasta night truly exceptional.

At Pacific Rim & Co., we're committed to bringing you high-quality wines that capture the essence of the Pacific Northwest region while promoting eco-friendly winemaking. We invite you to explore our wine selection and discover the perfect wine to pair with your next spaghetti adventure. Contact us for more information and let us be your guide to the world of wine and sustainability. Cheers to unforgettable wine and spaghetti pairings!

How Many Calories are in a Glass of Riesling?

Close to 42 percent of the U.S. is considered obese, and the numbers are set to increase within the next 5 years. Obesity is not a benign disorder and can lead to serious complications. Today, many people have become weight conscious and watch what they eat and drink. Knowing the calorie count of the beverages they drink is very helpful for those trying to prevent weight gain. 

How Many Calories Are in a Glass of Riesling?  

Other than water, almost every beverage, including colas, beers, and wine, has calories. For a wine like Riesling, the number of calories depends on the amount of sugar and alcohol in the beverage. In general, the higher the alcohol by volume (ABV) in a wine, the greater the calories. This is because every gram of alcohol contains calories. Some wines are sweet and have low alcohol content. In this case, each gram of sugar will contain 4 calories. However, wines can contain anywhere from 1-8 grams of sugar.

A 5-ounce glass of wine is equivalent to about 150 ml (equal to one glass). On average, most wines contain between 100-130 calories. But the problem is many people drink wine several times a week, and during each sitting, will consume two to three glasses; that equals about 350 calories per sitting. This amounts to about one-fifth of the total recommended caloric intake of about 1,800 calories/day.

One of the simplest ways to calculate the number of calories in 5 ounces of wine (150 ml) is to look at the label for the alcohol content (ABV) and multiply by 12. For example, if a wine contains 12% ABV, multiply this by 12, which equals 144 calories.

Ranking of Wines by Calorie Content:

1. Overall non-alcoholic wine has the least amount of calories. A glass of non-alcoholic wine will only provide 9 calories.
2. Light wines, such as Pinot Grigio, Riesling, or Sauvignon Blanc, usually have an ABV of 6.5%, and they provide about 74 calories.
3. Medium-bodied wines usually have an ABV of 10-12.5% and provide between 120-140 calories. Most wines fall in this range.
4. Heavy-bodied wines usually have an ABV greater than 14% and provide a minimum of 168 calories.
5. Some sweet dessert wines contain both alcohol and sugars and can contain over 230 calories in one glass.

Of course, the more wine you drink, the more calories you add to your diet.

While it is nice to drink wine, one should not supersize the beverage and limit the frequency of drinking. For good health, it is recommended that men should consume no more than 1-2 glasses of wine per day, and women should drink 1 glass per day. At the same time, eat healthily and exercise regularly.

On average, there are about 120 calories in a glass of Riesling. In a chart of wines listed by calories, Riesling is one of the ones with fewer calories, which means you can drink more glasses of Riesling wine, right?  That’s one way to look at it.  Pacific Rim and Company has been passionate about Riesling wines for nearly 30 years. If there’s anything you want to know about Riesling wines, just ask them. Also, check them out on Instagram at @pacificrimandco, Pinterest, Facebook, or Twitter.

How Do I Know If My Riesling Is Sweet?

Aside from tasting the wine, how is it possible to tell if your wine is one of the sweet Riesling brands?  Riesling is a very flavorful aromatic wine that is native to Germany. The wine is known to possess a variety of fruity flavors, including apricots, peaches, pears, and apples.

Riesling wine is available in many flavors and styles, ranging from very dry to sweet dessert wines, including sparkling wine. It is one of the few white wines that can mature over many decades and has a distinct petrol aroma when aged. It is not always easy to tell from a label whether the Riesling is sweet or not.

Riesling wine is available as dry or sweet. But how does one tell if you have one of the sweetest Riesling brands?

Understanding the Fermentation Process

To understand why some wines are sweet, and others are acidic, it is important to know how riesling wine is made. Yeast is added to the crushed grapes during the fermentation process, which initiates a chemical reaction that converts the sugars released from grapes into alcohol. 

If the fermentation process is short, there will be lots of sugar leftover that have not been converted into alcohol, and the resulting wine will be sweet. On the other hand, if the fermentation process is prolonged, all the sugar will be converted into alcohol, and the wine will be very dry or full-bodied.

If all of the sugar in the wine is turned into alcohol, the Alcohol by Volume (ABV) will tend to be high, and the Residual Sugar (RS) will be low or zero. This would apply to a wine that was on the drier end of the spectrum. On the flip side, if there is a small amount of sugar left in the wine after the fermentation process, the ABV will be lower and the RS higher, which will result in a sweeter wine. If you are looking for a sweet Riesling brand, you can look for bottles with an ABV of 11% or lower and for a dry look for 14% and over. Remember, there can always be exceptions to the rule, though!

Know Where the Wine is From

Next, it is important to know where the wine is from. If the Riesling wine is from the French Alsace region, Austria, or Chile, it is most likely to be dry or acidic.  If the Riesling is from Australia, it will have citrus flavors, but maybe on the dry side. In addition, most of the Riesling wine made in California is also on the dry side.

If you want sweet Riesling, you need a Riesling wine from Germany or one from Washington state. In German, the label will indicate the following: 

1) Ripe Sweet Kabinett

2) Nectar Sweet Spatlese and Auslese

3) Syrup Sweet Beerenauslese Dessert-Style

Further, if the Riesling is from the Alsace region of France, the sweet wine label will indicate “Selection de Gran nobles” and “Vendange tardive.”

If all this sounds confusing, ask the server or the vendor if the wine is sweet. Or you can also call Pacific Rim and Company to speak to one of their knowledgeable wine representatives.  They will be happy to help in your quest of finding the sweetest Riesling brands. After all, their home state of Washington is the largest Riesling producer in the United States.

What is Riesling Wine?

Riesling wine is one of the most popular wines in Europe, and that popularity has emigrated to the United States. Even though Riesling wine has been around for centuries, it was not as well-known as Chardonnay in North America. But rest assured, Riesling is an excellent light- to medium-bodied white wine with fruity flavors and a distinct aroma that is now taking its place as one of the most requested wines worldwide.

Riesling wine has its origins along the Rhine River in Germany. Because of the type of grapes, the wine boasts many fruity flavors, including those of apricots, apples, pears, and peaches, as well as high levels of acidity. Besides Germany, Riesling is also made in nearby Austria and France, as well as New Zealand, California, New York, and Washington. In most of these locations, other than Germany, Riesling is medium- to full-bodied with little residual sugar.

Riesling is one of the few white wines that mature with age and develop a distinct petroleum aroma, a quality of aged wine considered superb.

Types of Riesling Wine

Several types of Riesling wine are available to choose from; one is sure to be favorable for every occasion or need.

• Dry
• Lean
• Sparkling
• Light
• Slightly sweet
• Dessert

The Taste of Riesling

What is Riesling wine?  Types of Riesling wine are available in many tastes and flavors. When the wine is made early in fermentation, it retains the fruity notes. This fruity character depends on where the wine is from.  In Germany, the wine will boast flavors of apples, pear, and apricots, but those from Australia will include citrus flavors. 

In addition, Riesling from Austria and France may have flavors of Stoney fruits. Along the way, it is not uncommon for Riesling to pick up flavors of ginger, beeswax, or honey. Traditionally, Riesling wines have tended to be on the sweeter side to balance the high acidity, but today, a significant amount of Riesling produced is dry or semi-dry.

Sparkling Riesling

Besides the high acidic wine, Riesling is also available as a high-quality sparkling wine, often dry or semi-dry. 

Riesling Labels

Types of Riesling wine:  The labeling of wines in Europe is a little different from North America. In general, the origins and pradikatswein levels are mentioned on the label, indicating the wine’s sweetness. In simple terms, if you want a sweet Reisling, then go with a wine that has a high pradikatswein level. These include Kabineet, spätlese, Beerenauslese, and Trockenbeerenauslese.

Pairing Riesling With Food

What is Riesling wine? Riesling pairs well with many types of food, but because it is light- to medium-bodied, it pairs best with spicy, hot, and curried foods, including Indian curries, Chinese duck, and hot Thai rice dishes. The wine's natural acidity balances the spice/hotness, while the residual sugar tames the rich, spicy curries. 

In addition, Riesling can also be paired with most meat, seafood, chicken, and pork dishes. It works especially well if they are high in aromatic herbs, including ginger, garlic, cayenne pepper, turmeric, and thyme. 

Cost of Riesling Wine

For the most part, good Riesling wines are under $15, especially those from Washington and California.

Riesling gained its very own winery in 2006 in the State of Washington, Pacific Rim, and Company.  The enthusiasts who dedicated 90 percent of their entire vineyard to the production of Riesling wines were very passionate about it, and they still are.  There is a Riesling for everything!  The soils in the Columbia Valley in the State of Washington are prime territory for producing the best Riesling wines.  Call today to talk to an expert about Riesling wines.

20 Wine Quotes Only Wine Lovers Would Understand

These days, life is not always easy. What we used to once take for granted is no more. No longer can we go out and hug someone or even shake hands. Masks are the new norm, and keeping away from people is the new game in town. 

To get through the daily hassles of life, a little sip of wine may be just the right remedy for most of us. Wine has some heart-healthy benefits, and so does a sense of humor.  Laughter is said to be good medicine, so while you sip your favorite wine, enjoy these funny wine quotes from around the globe.

“I tried to think of a way to always have clean bedsheets, so I bought bed sheets that are the same color as my wine.” – Unknown

“A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.” – Louis Pasteur

“I tried cooking with wine. Didn’t go so well. After 5 glasses, I forgot why I was even in the kitchen.” – Anonymous

“In wine, there is wisdom, in beer, there is freedom, in water, there is bacteria.” – Benjamin Franklin

“Anyone who tries to make you believe that he knows all about wines is obviously a fake.” - Leon Adams

“Compromises are for relationships, not wine”-  Sir Robert Scott Caywood

“Penicillin cures, but wine makes people happy.” ― Alexander Fleming

“Either give me more wine or leave me alone.”― Rumi, circa 1200s

“Age is just a number. It’s totally irrelevant unless, of course, you happen to be a bottle of wine.” ― Joan Collins

“Men are like wine – some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age.” ― Pope John XXIII

“Be careful to trust a person who does not like wine.” – Karl Marx

“Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like it.” ― Anonymous

“The discovery of a wine is of greater moment than the discovery of a constellation. The universe is too full of stars.” - Benjamin Franklin

“More wine – Less whine” – Anonymous

“I’m like old wine. They don’t bring me out very often – but I’m well preserved.” – Rose Kennedy

“Here’s to alcohol: the cause of, and answer to, all of life’s problems.” —Matt Groening

“Accept what life offers you and try to drink from every cup. All wines should be tasted; some should only be sipped, but with others, drink the whole bottle.” ― Paulo Coelho

“One should always be drunk. That’s all that matters…But with what? With wine, with poetry, or with virtue, as you choose. But get drunk.” ― Charles Baudelaire

“When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.” – Henny Youngman

“I will drink milk when cows eat grapes.” – Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Enjoy these funny wine sayings with the next glass of your favorite wine.  Perhaps you can think of more funny wine sayings, and the next thing you’ll know, they will be attributing wine quotes to you!  Learn about and experiment with a variety of wines when you visit Pacific Rim and Company.