White wine has the least sugar, but is that the only way to tell which will go well with your meal?
White wine is a delicate drink. It goes well with light dishes such as salads, seafood, and vegetarian fare. For example, if you’re having a ham sandwich for lunch, try adding some white wine to your glass – it pairs nicely! White wine also pairs well with cheese plates or desserts like tiramisu. As long as the food is not too heavy or sugary, white wine will enhance the flavors of your meal. We’re here to answer the question of “what food goes well with white wine?”
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Top 5 White Wines To Pair With Food
White wine is a versatile drink paired with many different foods. It’s also one of the most popular types of wine, and there are so many different varieties to choose from:
1. Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the most popular of all wines. It pairs well with various foods, from seafood to pasta and cheese. The crisp acidity in this wine makes it perfect for any meal.
2. Riesling
Rieslings are usually dry, but they can also be sweet. They pair well with many different types of food, including spicy dishes like Mexican or Indian cuisine. In addition, this type of wine has a lot of citrus flavors that make them great for pairing with fish and chicken.
3. Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blancs are often very light-bodied and have grassy flavors. This means they go well with lighter meals such as salads, sushi, and Asian food. In addition, these wines are excellent when you’re looking for something refreshing on hot summer days.
4. Pinot Gris
This grape produces a full-bodied wine that pairs well with hearty Italian dishes. In addition, its fruity flavor makes it an ideal match for pizza, pasta, and other dishes flavored with tomato sauce.
5. Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminers are known for their spice flavors, which pair perfectly with German food. Their subtle sweetness works well with sausage, sauerkraut, and other dishes that contain mustard.
What Food Goes Well With White Wine?
Top 5 White Wine Pairings
Pairing wine with food isn’t difficult if you follow these tips:
- Choose the correct type of wine based on the dish you’re making.
- Select a wine that complements the flavor profile of your ingredients.
- Don’t forget about the serving temperature.
If you’re having a warm dinner, serve chilled wine. If you have cold food, serve room temperature wine. And if you want to keep things simple, serve chilled wine at room temperature.
Here are some easy ideas to get you started:
1. Chardonnay and Grilled Chicken
The buttery notes in chardonnays work well with grilled chicken. You can serve this dish over some steamed vegetables or rice to round out the meal.
2. Riesling and Sushi
Try serving sushi with riesling. The crisp acidity will cut through the richness of the soy sauce and sesame oil used to prepare these rolls.
3. Sauvignon Blanc and Goat Cheese
Serve goat cheese with fresh fruit and a glass of sauvignon blanc to create a simple yet elegant appetizer.
4. Pinot Gris and Roasted Salmon
Pinot Gris is best served chilled, so try serving salmon with this wine. The honeyed flavors complement the smoky taste of the salmon.
5. Gewürztraminer and Spicy Food
Add a little heat to your meal by pairing gewürztraminers with spicy dishes. For example, try serving curries, chili con carne, or Chinese food with this wine.
Best Pairings For Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wines can be paired with various foods, but some pairings work better than others. Here are a few of the best combinations:
1. Appetizers: Pair sparkling Wine with appetizers such as shrimp cocktails, stuffed mushrooms, or cheese plates.
2. Entrées: For the main course, pair sparkling wine with chicken, salmon, or pasta dishes.
3. Desserts: Enjoy sparkling wine with desserts such as chocolate cake, fruit tarts, or crème brûlée.
4. Cheese: Sparkling Wine also pairs well with cheese, so try it with various cheeses, including Brie, Camembert, or goat cheese.
5. Fruit: Sparkling Wine is a refreshing pairing for fruit, so try it with strawberries, raspberries, or melon.
Best Pairings For Dessert Wine
There are a variety of dessert wines, but some pairings work better than others. Here are a few of the best combinations:
1. Chocolate: Pair chocolate desserts with sweet dessert wines such as Port, Sauternes, or Moscato d’Asti.
2. Fruit: For fruit-based desserts, pair dessert wine with Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer, or Moscato d’Asti.
3. Cheese: Cheese plates are often paired with dessert wines such as Port, Madeira, or Sauternes.
4. Pâté: Pâté is traditionally paired with sweet dessert wines such as Sauternes or Tokaji.
5. Cake: Cake is often paired with dessert wines such as Port, Madeira, or Moscato d’Asti.
Best Pairings For Sweet Wine
Sweet wines can be paired with various foods, but some pairings work better than others. Here are a few of the best combinations:
1. Desserts: Sweet wines are traditionally paired with desserts such as cake, tarts, or pudding.
2. Cheese: Sweet wines can also be paired with cheese plates, particularly with blue cheese or other strong-flavored cheeses.
3. Fruit: Sweet wines are a refreshing pairing for fruit, so try them with strawberries, raspberries, or melon.
4. Appetizers: Sweet wines can also be paired with appetizers such as shrimp cocktails or stuffed mushrooms.
5. Entrées: Sweet wines can also be paired with entrees such as chicken or salmon.
White Wine Pairings By Flavor
Balance of essential flavors: Pair with Chardonnay, Riesling, or Gewürztraminer
Bold flavors: Pair with Chardonnay, Riesling, or Gewürztraminer
Briny flavor profile: Pair with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Moscato
Buttery flavor: Pair with Chardonnay or Viognier
Citrus flavors: Pair with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Moscato
Delicate flavor: Pair with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Moscato
Earthy/woodsy flavor profile: Pair with Pinot Noir or Syrah
Floral flavors: Pair with Viognier or Riesling
Fruity flavors: Pair with Moscato or Gewürztraminer
Herbal flavors: Pair with Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
Intense flavors: Pair with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or Zinfandel
Light flavors: Pair with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Moscato
Mellow flavors: Pair with Chardonnay, Viognier, or Riesling
Nutty flavors: Pair with Chardonnay or Pinot Noir
Rich flavors: Pair with Chardonnay, Viognier, or Riesling
Smoky flavors: Pair with Syrah or Zin
Spicy flavors: Pair with Gewürztraminer, Riesling, or Moscato
Subtle flavors: Pair with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Moscato
Sweet flavors: Pair with Moscato, Sauternes, or Tokaji
Tannic Flavors: Pair with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or Zinfandel
The Perfect White Wine Pairings For Cheese
Soft cheeses: Pair with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Moscato
Hard cheeses: Pair with Chardonnay, Riesling, or Gewürztraminer
Creamy cheeses: Pair with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Moscato
Nutty cheeses: Pair with Chardonnay or Pinot Noir
Strong cheeses: Pair with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or Zinfandel
Cheese plate: Pair with a variety of wines, including Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel
Cheese platter: Pair with a variety of wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Moscato
Milder cheeses: Pair with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Moscato
Bleu cheese: Pair with Port, Madeira, or Sauternes
Bolder cheeses: Pair with Chardonnay, Riesling, or Gewürztraminer
Crumbly cheeses: Pair with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Moscato
Briny cheeses: Pair with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Moscato
The Perfect White Wine Pairings For Meat
White meat: Pair with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Moscato
Dark meat: Pair with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or Zinfandel
Red meat: Pair with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or Zinfandel
Light meat: Pair with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Moscato
Poultry: Pair with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Moscato
Game: Pair with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or Zinfandel
Lamb: Pair with Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah
Crabmeat: Pair with Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
White fish: Pair with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Moscato
Dark fish: Pair with Chardonnay, Riesling, or Gewürztram
Grilled fish: Pair with a medium-bodied white wine like Chardonnay
Roasted fish: Pair with a medium- to full-bodied white Wine like Oakville Fume Blanc
Shellfish: Pair with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Moscato
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the perfect white wine pairings for your next dinner party or get-together, look no further. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide of the best white wines to pair with different types of food. Whether you’re serving up cheese and crackers or grilled chicken and steak, we’ve got you covered. And if that wasn’t enough, we even have recommendations for sparkling wine and dessert wine pairings! So what are you waiting for? Start planning your next event and check out our White Wine Guide: The Different Types of White Wine today.