Wine pairing
Best wine for Sunday gravy and meatballs
Last updated
Long-simmered tomato sauce is acidic and savory, and a wine with less acidity than the sauce tastes flat next to it. That is why Italy's high-acid reds — Sangiovese above all — are the traditional match for gravy, meatballs and braciole. These are the wines on our list we pour with the Sunday pot.
Quick answer
Match the sauce's acidity: Chianti Classico or another Sangiovese, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, or Barbera. Avoid very oaky, low-acid reds, which can taste dull and bitter against tomato.
8 wines to pour
Teroldego Rotaliano
Teroldego · Trentino
Dark, juicy, blackberry. Serve at 60°F / 16°C.
Larry: “Alpine red with southern color.”
Morellino di Scansano
Sangiovese (Morellino) · Tuscany (Maremma)
Ripe cherry, soft, sunny. Serve at 60°F / 16°C.
Larry: “Chianti that spent the summer at the beach.”
Rosso di Montalcino
Sangiovese · Tuscany
Fresh cherry, younger Brunello style. Serve at 60°F / 16°C.
Larry: “Baby Brunello. Opens on a Tuesday.”
Gragnano
Piedirosso, Aglianico and Sciascinoso · Campania
Purple, frothy, dry-to-off-dry red. Serve at 54°F / 12°C.
Larry: “Neapolitan pizza's fizzy red. Trust it.”
Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio
Piedirosso and Aglianico · Campania (Vesuvius)
Smoky, cherry, medium body. Serve at 60°F / 16°C.
Larry: “A volcano in a glass. With pizza.”
Negroamaro
Negroamaro · Puglia (Salento)
Dark, earthy, gently bitter. Serve at 62°F / 17°C.
Larry: “Grilled sausage with a bitter edge — perfect.”
Salice Salentino
Negroamaro with Malvasia Nera · Puglia
Ripe plum, spice, soft. Serve at 62°F / 17°C.
Larry: “The red-sauce joint classic.”
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Nero d'Avola and Frappato · Sicily
Cherry, floral, medium body. Serve at 60°F / 16°C.
Larry: “Sicily in balance — sun and freshness.”
Cooking it tonight? Start with Sunday gravy guide, then learn the basics in Wine Pairing 101.
Questions people ask
What wine goes with Sunday gravy?
High-acid Italian reds such as Chianti Classico, other Sangiovese wines, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo or Barbera.
What wine goes with meatballs in tomato sauce?
A medium-bodied red with bright acidity; Sangiovese and Barbera are dependable choices.
Why do high-acid wines suit tomato sauce?
Tomato is acidic; a wine with similar or higher acidity stays fresh instead of tasting flat or sour.
Can I cook the gravy with the same wine I drink?
Yes — a splash of a decent, dry red you'd happily drink is a good rule.