Cooler weather spurs cravings for heartier dishes, like lasagna. If there’s no time to make one, buy a scratch-made frozen lasagna to bake at home. Teamed with a green salad, crusty bread and the right wine, it can anchor an easy yet indulgent weeknight meal or a stress-free dinner party.
Recently, The Dallas Morning News wine panel explored wine pairings for a lasagna from Jimmy’s Food Store. The Italian market in East Dallas has a loyal following for its soul-satisfying meat version: four layers of tender pasta sandwiching thin ribbons of marinara, crumbled meatballs, molten mozzarella, and a little ricotta, topped off with Jimmy’s mild Italian sausage. The lasagna comes in two sizes: small ($17.99), yielding 2 to 3 servings, and large ($37.99) serving 6 to 8.
We tasted 20 wines under $25 with the lasagna and found seven great matches, including some super bargains. One of our picks sells for under $10, and we were able to find all of our winning matches for under $20 (prices vary between stores). If you’re willing to spend more than $25, you’ll no doubt find some Chianti Classico wines that shine with this lasagna, too.
Our sommelier panelists were Paul Botamer (of Fearing’s at The Ritz Carlton), Jeff Gregory, (operating partner at 55-Seventy, a private wine club and storage facility opening in 2022); and Jennifer Uygur (co-owner and beverage manager of Lucia restaurant). Read on to discover the affordable wines our panel enjoyed with Jimmy’s meat lasagna.
Molo 8 Lambrusco Mantovano, NV
A bubbly red wine with lasagna? Yes, please! This semi-sparkling, dry Lambrusco brought a refreshing counterpoint to the dish’s richness. “It’s frizzante, so it’s very palate cleansing –– and very good with the lasagna,” Botamer said. Gregory added that the wine had enough length to handle the dish. Lasagna is one of many foods — like charcuterie, or salty cheese — that would pair well with this fruity, fizzy red.
$15.99 to $17.99 at Jimmy’s, Pogo’s, Dallas Fine Wines, Momo’s (available retail), Corner Wines (in Plano), McKinney Wine Merchant, and The Downing Bottles and Bites (in Rockwall).
Cantina Zaccagnini “Tralcetto” Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo, DOC, 2018
Despite explosive growth since its founding in 1978, the family-owned Cantina Zaccagnini has consistently maintained the good quality of this affordable wine. Made of 100% Montepulciano grapes from the winery’s 375-acre estate, this medium-bodied wine shows soft tannins and a good balance of fruit and acidity. Panelists liked the wine’s soft, black plum fruit. “It’s rich and plummy, and offers a good contrast to the lasagna,” Uygur said.
$13.49 to $15.99 at Jimmy’s, Sigel’s, Trader Joe’s on Greenville, Market Street, McKinney Wine Merchant, and Total Wine (Plano, Allen, and Lewisville stores).
Brancaia Tre Rosso Toscana IGT, 2016 (Panel Pick)
A blend of 80% sangiovese, 10% merlot, and 10% cabernet sauvignon, this wine over-delivers for its price, and heightens all the flavors in the lasagna. “On the palate, it’s more savory, with herbal notes. The pairing has you paying more attention to the lasagna’s meatiness, herbs and spices,” Uygur said. Gregory credited “skillful use of merlot and cabernet sauvignon” for the wine’s herbaceous undertones, which enhanced the sauce. “It’s delicious, with great complexity. You’ll want another glass. If someone gave me this as a gift, I’d be happy. Bang for the buck, it’s hard to beat,” Botamer said.
$19.99 to $24.99 at Jimmy’s, Central Market on Lovers Lane, McKinney Wine Merchant, and Schrick’s Liquors.
Bruno Giacosa Dolcetto d’Alba DOC 2018
Panelists hailed this a good weeknight lasagna wine. “It’s very approachable, yet there’s enough acidity to balance the fruit. It has lovely fruit, but it’s not jammy-sweet,” Uygur said.
Gregory praised the wine’s “compelling nose,” and Botamer liked its floral notes, which lend complexity.
$24.99 at Sigel’s, Eataly, Pogo’s, and Total Wine in Preston Village (Plano North).
Ruffino “Il Ducale” Toscana IGT, 2018
Made of sangiovese, syrah, and merlot, this modern Tuscan blend’s spice spice notes boosted the lasagna’s flavor. “The syrah’s black fruit and spice counterbalance the sangiovese, making it a good match,” Gregory said. Botamer liked the wine’s dried cherry fruit and spicy quality, which enhanced the mild Italian sausage. “It’s a crowd pleaser for those who gravitate toward New World style wines,” Uygur said.
$17.99 at Sigel’s, Goody Goody on Greenville, Tom Thumb (Lovers Lane and Preston-Forest locations), and McKinney Wine Merchant.
Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva, DOC, 2018
Cannonau is the local name for the grenache that flourishes in the Italian island of Sardinia. Italian researchers believe the grape may have originated on the island. “It’s soft, velvety and delicious,” Botamer said. Uygur noted that the lasagna enhanced the wine’s herbaceous quality. “It’s like a house wine at a trattoria in Italy. It’s homey, and the lasagna is homey — they’re a good pair,” she said.
$16.99 to $17.88 at Central Market, Jimmy’s, Spec’s, and Total Wine.
Cune Rioja Crianza, DOC, 2017, Spain
Made of 100% tempranillo, this Spanish wine is a natural for lasagna and pastas with meat sauce, and it’s an outstanding value, too. “It’s very well made — delicious, with terrific balance,” Botamer said. Uygur liked the wine’s refreshing quality. “It reads lighter and cleaner than our other favorites,” she said. “It emphasizes the meat, and doesn’t drown out the lasagna,” Gregory added.
$9.47 to $13.57 at Total Wine (Park Lane and Plano stores), Central Market, Spec’s, most Whole Foods Market locations, and most Costco stores.
Tina Danze is a Dallas freelance writer.
