Best Wine to Pair with Pesto

Classic pasta tossed in pesto sauce pairs beautifully with a crisp, citrusy Vermentino, which highlights the sauce’s herbal notes and lively freshness. For a red option, a light-bodied Pinot Noir offers enough acidity and subtle fruit to balance pesto’s richness without overwhelming its delicate flavors.

Pesto as a pizza topping benefits from a zesty, aromatic white like Sauvignon Blanc, whose grassy, citrus-driven profile complements the fresh basil and garlic. If you prefer red, a lightly sparkling Lambrusco brings bright berry notes and gentle effervescence that refresh the palate between bites.

Grilled or roasted chicken served with pesto is enhanced by a mineral-driven Gavi, whose clean, lemony character lifts the herbal sauce. Alternatively, a fruit-forward Gamay (from Beaujolais) offers enough acidity and soft tannins to complement both the chicken and the pesto’s vibrant flavors.

A creamy pesto risotto marries well with Soave, a fresh Italian white that brings subtle floral and almond notes to the dish. For a red, try Bardolino, a light, low-tannin wine from northern Italy, which won’t overpower the risotto’s basil and pine nut flavors.

Vegetable dishes featuring pesto—like grilled zucchini or stuffed peppers—shine alongside a lively Grüner Veltliner, whose herbal, peppery notes echo the sauce’s green flavors. A chilled Cinsault offers a juicy, refreshing red option that pairs well with both the veggies and the pesto.

• Emphasize herbal notes – Choose wines with herbal or citrusy undertones to enhance pesto’s basil and garlic flavors.
• Balance richness – Opt for wines with enough acidity to cut through pesto’s rich olive oil base and pine nut flavors.
• Consider the dish – Pair lighter wines with delicate dishes like pasta, while heartier options can handle richer, meat-based pesto meals.