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Step 1
Forget white wine. Although it is common to hear that poultry calls for white wine, this is a misleading and generally false rule. A dish like Chicken Parmesan, with its tomato sauce and Italian roots calls for red wine. The consensus opinion is that the Italian Sangiovese and the more common Merlot and Pinot Noir are the best types of red wine to serve with this dish.
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Step 2
Decide how much you want to spend. Sangiovese is rarely made in the United States. This makes finding a good example of the wine very hard, and a good and cheap bottle all but impossible. Therefore, budget shoppers should be looking for a domestic Merlot or Pinot Noir.
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Step 3
Consider your own tastes. Merlot is a well-rounded, friendly table wine, but a bit on the dry side. Pinot Noir is more velvety, earthy, and smacks of red fruits. Sangiovese is spicier and tarter than either. If you are not familiar with all three, avoid ruining a meal by experimenting with a wine you might not like; save trying something new for another time.
