Wine Pairings with Seafood first courses

Seafood first courses are one of the highlights of Italian cooking, prized for their lightness and for the perfect balance between the flavours of the sea and pasta or rice. The right wine pairing brings out the character of the dish, creating perfect harmony between acidity, freshness and structure. Here is a guide to choosing the best wine to serve with fish-based first courses.

Characteristics of Seafood First Courses and General Pairings

Every seafood first course has ingredients and cooking methods that affect the wine pairing. Here are the main factors to consider:

• Type of fish: molluscs, shellfish or white-fleshed fish affect the choice of wine.
• Seasoning and sauce: dishes with tomato call for more structured wines, while white preparations go well with fresh, savoury wines.
• Structure of the dish: a creamy risotto will have different needs from a light pasta dish.

Best Wine and Food Pairings for Seafood First Courses

Recommended White Wines

• Vermentino di Gallura DOCG – Perfect for spaghetti alle vongole, thanks to its salinity and freshness.
• Fiano di Avellino DOCG – Ideal with linguine with scampi, thanks to its body and aromatic persistence.
• Gavi DOCG – Excellent with seafood risottos, thanks to its elegance and balanced acidity.

Recommended Sparkling Wines

• Franciacorta Brut – Perfect for pasta with prawns and courgettes, it adds freshness and complexity.
• Prosecco Superiore DOCG – A good option for a light seafood risotto.

Recommended Rosé Wines

• Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC – An excellent choice for pasta allo scoglio, for its freshness and light tannins.
• Bardolino Chiaretto DOC – Ideal for first courses with shellfish and tomato.