Start with the meal you want and the wine you enjoy. A pairing is a useful way to explore flavor, not a test with one correct answer. When ordering at Italian Brothers, tell your server what you have chosen and whether you prefer a lighter, fuller, drier or sweeter wine.
Look at the sauce, not only the pasta
Tomato, cream and seafood bring different qualities to a dish. Acidity in food changes how a wine tastes; a tomato-based sauce is a good reason to discuss a wine with refreshing acidity. A richer sauce may call for a different balance. Describe the whole dish when asking for a recommendation.
Consider intensity
A delicate meal and a deeply flavored dish do not necessarily suit the same bottle. If your table is sharing several plates, mention that too: a versatile choice may be more enjoyable than matching one course perfectly.
Leave room for dessert
Sweet food can make a dry wine seem more bitter or acidic. If you want wine with dessert, ask about a suitably sweet option rather than assuming the bottle from dinner will be the best fit.
Make the choice personal
Three details help us understand what you are looking for: your dishes, your preferred style and your budget. Ask about the current selection; this guide is not a list of bottles available at the restaurant.
Browse our menu before your visit.
Further reading: WSET’s food and wine pairing principles.