Wine Pairings with Lentils

Lentils are among the most versatile pulses in Mediterranean cooking, the stars of soups, side dishes and one-pot meals, and often served with cotechino or zampone. The right wine should accompany their soft texture and earthy flavour, bringing out their rustic character.

Characteristics of Lentils and General Pairings

• Palate: tasty, earthy, slightly sweet.
• Preparations: braised, in soups, with fatty meats, as a vegetarian main course.

Best Food and Wine Pairings for Lentils

Soft and Enveloping Red Wines

• Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC – Perfect with lentil soups or cotechino.
• Cannonau di Sardegna DOC – Soft and warm, ideal with spiced lentils.
• Chianti Classico DOCG – Great for vegetarian dishes with lentils.

Flavourful White Wines

• Fiano di Avellino DOCG – Aromatic and structured, excellent with stewed lentils.
• Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC – Mineral and versatile, perfect with lentils and vegetables.

Versatile Sparkling Wines

• Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC – Lightly sparkling and savoury, ideal with cotechino and lentils.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Avoid wines that are too tannic, which overwhelm the delicacy of the lentils.
• Watch out for sweet wines, not harmonious with the earthy flavour.
• Avoid wines that are too acidic, which jar with the creamy texture of the dish.

Specific Pairings

• Lentil soup → Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Verdicchio
• Lentils with cotechino or zampone → Lambrusco Grasparossa, Cannonau
• Stewed lentils with vegetables → Chianti Classico, Fiano di Avellino