Now that autumn has returned, I begin to turn my thoughts to cold weather comfort foods like pasta.

Generally speaking, the best way to pair wine with pasta is to match the weight and richness of the sauce to the wine. Pair light, vegetable or seafood-based pasta with crisp white wines like Pinot Grigio. Rich creamy, or meat-based sauces go well with fuller-bodied wines such as Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, while tomato-based sauces require medium-bodied reds like Sangiovese. A sparkling wine, for example Prosecco, will complement many pasta dishes, especially those with creamy or rich sauces.

A good rule of thumb is to match the weight of the pasta sauce with the weight of the wine. A light sauce calls for a light wine, while a heavy sauce pairs well with a bolder wine. Also consider sparkling wines as the bubbles will complement creamy sauces and the acidity works well with tomato-based dishes.

Here are some specific pairing suggestions from several experts:

Fettuccine Alfredo: The wine needs to complement the richness of the dish while providing balance and enhancing the flavours. White Burgundy, Pinot Blanc, and Soave Classico will pair well with Fettuccine Alfredo.

Lasagna: This dish pairs well with a full-bodied red wine like an Italian Chianti Classico or a Brunello di Montalcino.

Pesto Pasta: The pesto flavours will harmonize well with a light-bodied white wine with herbal and citrus notes such as a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or Italian Vermentino.

Spaghetti Bolognese: The rich and meaty tomato-based sauce goes well with a medium-bodied red wine with good acidity such as an Italian Sangiovese or a Chianti.

Spaghetti Carbonara: The creamy Carbonara sauce will be complimented by a medium-bodied white wine like a Viognier or a Chardonnay. If you prefer red, Pinot Noir or Malbec are suggested.

Cheese-filled Ravioli: Pair with a light to medium-bodied white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or Vermentino.

Meat-filled Ravioli: A full-bodied red wine such as Sangiovese, Barbera, Chianti, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Syrah is a good combination.

Seafood-filled Ravioli: Couple this ravioli with a white wine like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc or a dry Riesling.

Vegetarian Ravioli: A red wine like Pinot Noir or Gamay, or a light to medium-bodied white wine such as Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Grigio, Viognier or Sauvignon Blanc are great options. You can also choose Rosés like Chenin Blanc or Pinot Gris.

No matter what pasta you have there will be the perfect complementary wine to enjoy alongside.

Sláinte mhaith