Wine pairings: wine and lasagna

Mozzarella, tomato sauce, béchamel, fresh pasta, lasagna are typical Italian cuisine. It is prepared according to tastes and preferences. The dish can be garnished with béchamel or simply declined in a vegetarian version. Anyway, we accompany it with a good wine, but which one? Oé sheds light on wine and lasagna pairings.

In any case, be sure that a Burgundy Pinot Noir will go perfectly with your lasagna dish.

Discover our selection of organic wines.

Lasagna: for the record

A mythical and emblematic dish of Italian gastronomy, lasagna is in this case a complete and healthy dish. The word originates from the name “lasagna” in Italian and “lasana” in Greek, which means kitchen tripod. The latter was used to designate a dish in which lasagna was cooked. In addition to being tasty, lasagna is first of all a raw plate of dough where ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan are accommodated, a sauce made of meat and béchamel. It is obvious that the dish is highly appreciated in ultramontane gastronomy.

The origin of lasagna dates back to antiquity. At that time, the products used were quite different from those used today and very well known to the greatest number. According to a legend, lasagna originated in the Maghreb. The first recipe for lasagna appears for the first time in 1238 in an Italian gastronomy book. It was not until the 15th century that the lasagna leg was developed in French cuisine and known as "losans". It is a paw cut in the shape of a diamond which had to be dried after the size.

The secret of a good Bolognese lasagna

Achieving a Bolognese lasagna depends on respecting the following 3 rules: a very tasty Bolognese sauce, a very liquid béchamel sauce and so-called piano piano cooking. For the Bolognese sauce, a large skillet would be essential. Brown the chopped onions in the olive oil, then add the minced meat. Preferably, opt for ground beef possibly associated with beef. When the water evaporates from the pan, pour a glass of red wine, add the carrots cut into sections, the minced garlic and then a tomato coulis. Then salt and pepper, add the herbs and simmer over low heat for 30 to 40 minutes.

As for the béchamel sauce, it is prepared while the sauce is simmering. In a saucepan, melt the butter while foaming it slightly. In order to ensure the homogeneity between the flour and the butter, put the powder and mix quickly. Pour the lactic liquid little by little to dilute the mixture. The secret of a liquid béchamel is to pour the milk in large proportion. When the sauce has the desired consistency, add a pinch of grated nutmeg. For cooking, start by pouring a thin layer of béchamel then a layer of lasagna that you cover with bolognese then béchamel. Place in the oven and cook for 40 or 45 minutes at 180° until the lasagna is browned well.

What wine to serve with lasagna?

The choice of wine to accompany a lasagna varies depending on the type of lasagna. For example, if you opt for a Bolognese lasagna, choose an Italian wine. Experience has shown that the typical menus of a region go perfectly with red wine from the said wine region. A French red wine such as a red Côte de Provence or a red Lubéron is ideal to accompany your meal. Appellations such as Saint-Chinian rosé, Morgon, Chianti and sparkling Lambrusco will have the effect. These wines are perfect for emphasizing the balance between the power and roundness of minced meat, tomato sauce and bechamel.

If you are on the side of veal lasagna, know that it also contains a tomato sauce and a béchamel. The fine and supple taste of veal very often encourages you to choose an elegant wine like a red Burgundy wine . Also, a Sancerre, a Pouilly-fumé or a Chablis will be wonderful with your menu.

However, lasagna with porcini mushrooms with foie gras sauce can have a chic tone for a festive meal. This is the wine will follow this destination. This is therefore an opportunity to open a high-class Pommard, Pomerol or Madiran. These are wines with patinated tannins that go perfectly with foie gras. A red wine from Alsace will be ideal to enhance the flavors of your menu.

With vegetable lasagna, you have several options. With goat cheese lasagna, for example, a wine from the Loire vineyards such as Cour-Cheverny is perfectly indicated. You can also choose a fruity and mineral red wine from the same region such as a Bourgueil, the Côtes du Rhône or a Beaujolais cru. Also opt for a Coteaux d'Aix or a Travel rosé which will bring a perfect character to your vegetarian lasagna.

Characteristics of wine to drink with lasagna

It is important to note that the lasagna is firstly composed of a fruity and spicy tomato sauce and secondly fatty products such as béchamel and mozzarella. It is a sour and unctuous dish. To choose the ideal wine to taste it, there are two possible choices: a red wine or a rosé wine. If you choose a rosé wine, opt for a powerful wine like a Corsican wine, which will balance very well with the aromas of the pasta. The wine should also be acidic to break down the fatty side of the cheese.

The mistake to avoid is a rather young wine like a Côte de Provence which has few tannins and offers great lightness. A red appellation, cuvée with light tannins accompanied by a lasagna, is a better pairing and can have a particular taste when accompanied by lasagna. It will very well recall the aromas of tomato sauce, while offering a refreshment to the palate.