It’s Tuesday. You’ve worked all day or wrangled kids, and now the red sauce is bubbling on the stove—your weeknight standby. The meal is comforting, but maybe it’s lost a little of its sparkle. What you need is a wine that feels like a treat without the guilt.
Enter Chianti—your weeknight savior in a bottle.
Chianti doesn’t just pair beautifully with red sauce—it makes you feel like you’ve cracked the code. It’s the $20 wine that makes pasta night feel like an event.
Red sauce has become so common in American kitchens that we’ve stopped tasting it. It’s the soundtrack of pizza night, spaghetti and meatballs, and the platters of chicken parm we see in commercials. But a good Chianti? It wakes up your senses and reminds you why this tangy, savory dish became a national obsession.
How I Selected The Wine
First, I found wines that are widely available in the US and can be ordered online. Then, I selected wines with high ratings from professional reviewers and tasted them myself. The final step was to put together a six-person tasting panel to get a wider perspective.
The price and availability of wine can change. We apologize if any of these wines are no longer available.
Our Top Three Selections
These five bottles—all under $25—deliver flavor, authenticity, and enough zing to bring your pasta back to life. And if you’ve only got ten bucks and a pizza box? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered there, too.
1. [Tasting Panel Top Choice] Castello di Meleto Chianti Classico Riserva ($21.99)
The Vibe: Dried cherry richness, mellow herbal depth, and a touch of cedar on the finish. Smooth tannins carry it all with confidence.
Relatable Take: Like your personal enforcer—its acidic backbone shows up to take on chicken parm, fully sauced, fully cheesed, and is completely unfazed.
Pair It With: Chicken Parmesan. Or eggplant if you’re feeling virtuous but still want backup.
Nerd Note: Riservas spend more time in barrel, so they show up with polish—refined, but still ready to scrap with red sauce.2. Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico 2022 ($19.97)
Click here to see the current price on wine.com.
2. Castello Di Bossi ($19.97)
The Vibe: Vibrant red cherries, sweet orange peel, and earthy dried oregano swirl together like a Tuscan sunset you can drink.
Relatable Take: It’s so good for the price, you might feel a little guilty—like you’re getting away with something that should cost double.
Pair It With: Bolognese that’s a little too heavy on the Parmesan. Then have seconds. If you are interested, click here to see the most up-to-date price.
3. Capraia Chianti Classico 2021 ($19.99)
The Vibe: Bracing cherry zing up front, then a savory tumble of Italian herbs and a dusty clay finish—like dragging your tongue across a sun-baked terra cotta tile (in the best way).
Relatable Take: It’s a fix-it kit for tired red sauce routines. Suddenly your Tuesday lasagna is singing like Bocelli.
Pair It With: Frozen lasagna you pretend is homemade—Chianti won’t tell. This wine is available on wine.com.
Bonus Round: The Under $12 Pizza Heroes
Not every Chianti needs to wear a blazer. Sometimes it just needs to cut through grease, bring the acid, and keep the party rolling.
These two DOCG bottles might lack finesse, but when there are pizza boxes stacked and glasses clinking, they punch way above their price tag.
4. Fontella Chianti 2022 ($10.95)
The Vibe: Zippy cherry and rustic edge that hits like a good slap from Nonna. In this case, she slaps you with organic grapes.
Relatable Take: Like a friend who shows up early to help move furniture—and brings snacks.
Pair It With: Pepperoni pizza and garlic knots. Bonus points if you eat standing up.
Buy a bottle here.
5. Bolla Chianti 2021 ($10.99)
The Vibe: Straightforward cherry fruit, chewy tannins, and a structure that says, “I’m not here for nuance—I’m here for pizza.”
Relatable Take: You didn’t buy it to be impressed. You bought it because your friends already finished the first bottle.
Pair It With: Delivery pizza, red plastic cups, and that one friend who always pours too heavy.
Total Wine & More carries this wine. You can order it here.
Final Sip
Chianti is the utility knife of red wines—built for food, made for community, and always worth keeping a bottle (or three) on hand. If you already love Chianti, read the fascinating history of how Chianti and tomato sauce formed the perfect union.
