Italian wines are some of the most naturally food-friendly in the world, which makes them ideal for roast dinners. As British households increasingly search for the best wine to match roast chicken, roast beef, lamb, pork or vegetarian roasts, Italian bottles offer exceptional versatility, balance and value. The best Italian wines for roast dinner combine structure, acidity and rich flavours that cut through hearty dishes without overwhelming them. This guide explores the top Italian wines for every type of roast, explaining why they pair so well and how to choose the perfect bottle for your next Sunday lunch or special occasion.
Why Italian Wines Work So Well with Roast Dinners
Roast dinners are a cornerstone of British cooking, typically built around rich proteins, caramelised vegetables, herbs and savoury gravies. Italian wine excels with this type of food for several reasons.
Balanced acidity
Italian reds, in particular, have freshness and acidity that complement fatty or roasted cuts of meat. This prevents the meal from feeling heavy.
Natural structure
Whether from tannins in Sangiovese or the volcanic backbone of Aglianico, Italian wines offer grip and complexity that pairs with rich flavours.
Regional diversity
Italy produces a vast range of wine styles, allowing perfect pairings for beef, lamb, pork, poultry, vegetarian roasts and festive meals.
Food-centred winemaking
Italian wines are made to be drunk with food. Even fuller reds remain savoury, nuanced and balanced, making them reliable choices for roast dinners.
Best Italian Wines for Roast Beef
Roast beef requires a wine with depth, tannin and richness. Italian regions offer outstanding options for this pairing, each bringing something different to the table.
Aglianico from Campania or Basilicata
Aglianico is one of Italy’s most powerful grapes, producing deeply structured wines with notes of black cherry, plum, smoke and spice. Its firm tannins match perfectly with the richness of roast beef, especially rib-eye, topside or sirloin. For those seeking an alternative to Barolo or Bordeaux, Aglianico is a superb winter selection.
Chianti Classico (Sangiovese)
A more elegant pairing for leaner cuts, Chianti Classico offers cherry fruit, herbs and fine tannins. The acidity in Sangiovese cuts beautifully through the fat of rare roast beef while enhancing herb-based sides like rosemary potatoes.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva
This fuller expression of Montepulciano brings dark fruit, cocoa and spice, and has enough depth to support Yorkshire pudding, beef gravy and roasted vegetables. It’s a smoother, more approachable pairing for those who prefer a plush texture.
Best Italian Wines for Roast Lamb
Roast lamb is aromatic, savoury and often herby — exactly the kind of food Italian reds complement perfectly.
Negroamaro from Puglia
Negroamaro’s earthy, dark-fruited profile works beautifully with lamb’s natural richness. Expect flavours of black cherry, dried herbs, liquorice and roasted spice. It complements rosemary, garlic and Mediterranean roast vegetables exceptionally well.
Aglianico del Vulture
Once again, Aglianico shines with lamb thanks to its structure and depth. Its smoky, mineral-driven character enhances the char and caramelisation of lamb fat.
Cannonau di Sardegna
Cannonau (Grenache) from Sardinia is lifted, spicy and elegant, making it ideal for lamb cooked with aromatic herbs or Middle Eastern spices. It offers warmth and softness without heaviness.
Best Italian Wines for Roast Chicken
Roast chicken is one of the most flexible dishes for wine. Depending on the seasoning, both Italian white and red wines can work.
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi
This richer white offers citrus, almond, herbs and a slight creaminess. It pairs beautifully with traditional roast chicken, especially when lemon, garlic or thyme are used.
Fiano di Avellino
Fiano is an outstanding winter white for poultry. Textured, nutty and aromatic, it has the weight to match roast chicken without overpowering it.
Chianti (Sangiovese)
For those who prefer red wine with poultry, Chianti is the perfect choice. Its acidity and cherry fruit match well with the crispy skin and savoury gravy.
Pinot Nero (Italian Pinot Noir)
Italian Pinot Noir is lighter and fresher than many New World styles, making it ideal for herb-roasted chicken.
Best Italian Wines for Roast Pork
Roast pork benefits from wines with acidity to cut through fat and sweetness to complement crackling or apple sauce.
Lambrusco (Dry or Semi-Dry)
Real artisan Lambrusco is one of the best pork pairings in the world. Its freshness, gentle tannin and red fruit notes enhance pork belly, crackling and fatty cuts.
Gewürztraminer (Dry Italian Style)
For aromatic pork dishes, especially with apple or fennel, a dry Italian Gewürztraminer offers spice and richness that complements the dish beautifully.
Montepulciano
Montepulciano’s plum fruit and soft tannins pair particularly well with pork shoulder, loin or slow-roasted cuts.
Best Italian Wines for Vegetarian Roasts
Vegetarian roasts are often built on earthy flavours, root vegetables, mushrooms, nuts and herbs — perfect territory for Italian wine.
Barbera d’Asti
High acidity and bright red fruit cut through the richness of nut roasts, mushroom wellingtons or cheesy vegetable bakes.
Etna Rosso (Nerello Mascalese)
Elegant, savoury and mineral, Etna Rosso pairs beautifully with roast cauliflower, herb stuffing, miso vegetables and mushroom dishes. Its Burgundian style appeals to those who enjoy lighter, complex reds.
Soave Classico
For vegetable-led dishes such as squash, parsnips or sweet root vegetable roasts, Soave’s freshness, minerality and light almond character are ideal.
Best Italian Wines for Christmas Roast Dinner
Festive roasts often involve richer gravies, stronger flavours and a wider mix of sides. Italy has perfect solutions.
Amarone della Valpolicella
For a decadent Christmas roast, Amarone provides luxurious depth with flavours of dried cherry, chocolate and baking spices. Exceptional with beef, venison or Christmas duck.
Valpolicella Ripasso
A more affordable but expressive option, Ripasso has richness without Amarone’s intensity. Perfect for turkey crown, pigs-in-blankets and festive roasted vegetables.
Frappato or Cerasuolo di Vittoria
For lighter Christmas meals or turkey with cranberry, these Sicilian reds offer freshness, red fruit and a soft texture.
Best Italian White Wines for Roast Dinner
Italian whites are often overlooked for roasts, but they can be brilliant with certain dishes.
Lugana
Creamy, citrus-driven and mineral, perfect for chicken or pork.
Greco di Tufo
Structured and textured, excellent with herb stuffing and roasted root vegetables.
Gavi
A lighter option for those who prefer freshness with poultry or vegetarian dishes.
How to Choose the Right Italian Wine for Your Roast Dinner
To help UK drinkers navigate the options easily, here is a simple breakdown:
If the roast is rich and fatty
Choose: Aglianico, Montepulciano Riserva, Amarone
If the roast is herby or tomato-based
Choose: Chianti, Barbera, Cannonau
If the roast is poultry
Choose: Verdicchio, Fiano, Pinot Nero
If the roast is pork
Choose: Lambrusco, dry Gewürztraminer, Montepulciano
If the roast is vegetarian
Choose: Etna Rosso, Barbera, Soave Classico
Why Italian Wines Offer the Best Value for UK Roast Dinners
Italian wines consistently offer better value than many French or New World options at the same quality level. For British households, this means:
- Higher complexity for the price
- Better matching with traditional Sunday roasts
- A wider range of flavours and styles
- Approachable wines for all budgets
- More versatility across different dishes
Independent merchants specialising in Italian wines are uniquely placed to guide customers toward the perfect pairing, improving both customer satisfaction and repeat purchases.
