Wines that pair with

Pesto

Aggregated across 222 related dishes — most-paired wines first.

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Chardonnay

102 dishes

White · Medium · Dry

The most-planted white grape and the most chameleon-like. Crisp and steely from Chablis; rich, oaky, and tropical from California. Read the label, then match the style to the dish.

Works with Pesto · Red Pesto · Pea Pesto +99 more

White · Light · Dry

Citrus, cut grass, and a wire of acid. Marlborough makes it loudest; Sancerre makes it most refined. Either way, it cuts cleanly through goat cheese, herbs, and anything with shellfish.

Works with Pesto · Beet Pesto · Pesto Sauce +94 more

Pinot Noir

89 dishes

Red · Light · Dry

Burgundy's most temperamental grape, but the rewards are real — translucent ruby with a perfumed lift of red cherry, forest floor, and clove. Silken tannins and bright acid make it the most versatile red on the table; serve cool, around 58°F.

Works with Pesto · Red Pesto · Pea Pesto +86 more

Rosé

Classic 85 dishes

Rosé · Light · Dry

Provence's gift to summer — dry, pale, faintly strawberry-and-citrus, with low alcohol and crisp acid. Made to drink cold, with food, in the shade.

Works with Red Pesto · Pea Pesto · Pesto Ziti +82 more

Pinot Grigio

Classic 76 dishes

White · Light · Dry

Italy's everyday white — light, lemony, neutral by design. Pleasant with anything; profound with very little. The best Friuli bottles are quietly excellent.

Works with Beet Pesto · Basil Pesto · Pasta Pesto +73 more

Sangiovese

Classic 46 dishes

Red · Medium · Dry

The soul of Tuscany — bright red cherry, dried herbs, and a savory line of acidity that craves tomato sauce. Chianti is the everyday face; Brunello is its serious cousin.

Works with Pasta Pesto · Pesto Ravioli · Gnocchi Pesto +43 more

Cabernet Sauvignon

Classic 29 dishes

Red · Full · Dry

The benchmark for full-bodied red — structured, age-worthy, unapologetic. Black currant, graphite, and tobacco lead into firm tannins that demand protein on the plate. Decant young bottles; cellar the serious ones.

Works with Pesto Pork · Pesto Lamb · Pesto Steak +26 more

Cava

Interesting 24 dishes

Sparkling · Light · Dry

Spain's traditional-method sparkling, made in Catalunya. Crisper and chalkier than Prosecco; remarkable value next to Champagne. Pair with jamón, tortilla, and grilled vegetables.

Works with Red Pesto · Pea Pesto · Pesto Ziti +21 more

Malbec

Classic 12 dishes

Red · Full · Dry

Argentina's signature grape: deep purple, plummy, and remarkably smooth for its weight. Soft tannins and a touch of cocoa make it the dinner-party Cabernet alternative — and far easier on the wallet.

Works with Pesto Lamb · Pesto Steak · Lamb With Pesto +9 more

Showing the 12 most-paired wines out of 112. Try a more specific term (e.g. "ribeye" instead of "steak") to tighten the list.

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Top 30 of 222 matched dishes. Refine your search for a tighter list.