Wine is a universal beverage that can complement many different types of foods. It is no wonder that wine and food pairing is an art form that is taken seriously by sommeliers and wine enthusiasts alike.
Among the different types of wine, white wine is a popular choice for many occasions, and finding the best food to pair with white wine can be challenging.
In this blog post, we will explore the best food to pair with white wine, giving you ideas and inspiration for your next wining and dining experience.
I have always enjoyed these sides along with white wine, and I am sure you will also enjoy the flavor of white wine along with these foods.
20 Best Food to Pair with White Wine
1. Seafood
Seafood is known to pair well with white wine. The acidity of white wine complements the seafood’s natural sweetness and enhances its flavors.
Whether it’s grilled salmon or sushi rolls, a good glass of crisp white wine always enhances the seafood’s flavors.
Sauvignon Blanc is especially ideal for seafood dishes such as shrimp, scallops, and fish tacos because of its acidic and citrus notes that pair well with the freshness and crispness of seafood.
Similarly, Chardonnay’s buttery and oaky notes beautifully enhance rich seafood dishes like lobster or crab.
2. Creamy Dishes
Creamy dishes are a pale-colored type of dish that requires a delicate wine to complement its richness.
Creamy pasta dishes like fettuccine Alfredo or garlic butter shrimp pasta provide an excellent opportunity to try pairing your dish with a buttery white wine like Chardonnay, which will help to complement the creamy sauce.
Similarly, wines like Viognier or Roussanne have a subtle fragrant flavor and a creamy texture that matches perfectly with creamy dishes.
3. Sushi
Sushi is a light and delicate dish that tastes excellent with white wine. Sushi’s light flavors work well with crisp and refreshing white wine like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or a Riesling.
The bright acidity of the white wine helps to cleanse the palate, and the lightness of the sushi complements the delicate taste of the wine.
Additionally, pairing Sushi with Japanese white wines like Sake or Soju serves as a great combination since these wines share similar characteristics with sushi, such as richness and balance.
4. Cheese
Cheese and wine pairing is a classic pairing that has stood the test of time. White wine is no exception when it comes to pairing with cheese.
White wines, such as chardonnay or riesling, are an ideal match for soft cheeses like brie, camembert, and goat cheese.
Light white wines like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc are the perfect match for fresh or soft cheeses.
In contrast, richer white wines like Chardonnay or Viognier are ideal for matching with hard and aged cheese.
Find Out More: Best Food to Pair with Red Wines
5. Salad
A light, refreshing white wine is the perfect match for a salad. Dry wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc matches a salad’s brightness and acidity, making it the perfect pair.
The tanginess of a vinaigrette salad dressing or the sweetness of a fig salad complements the acidity of the wine.
Additionally, the wine’s freshness and crispness make it a refreshing complement to a fresh salad.
6. Vegetables
While you may not typically think of pairing wine with vegetables, white wine can be an excellent choice for fresh and vibrant vegetable dishes.
The acidity and bright flavors of white wine perfectly complement fresh and light vegetable dishes.
Try pairing a Grüner Veltliner with asparagus or a Sauvignon Blanc with a salad topped with fresh vegetables.
7. Poultry
White wine is also a great pairing for poultry dishes. The acidity and lightness of white wine pair particularly well with chicken, turkey, and duck.
For a perfect pairing, try a Chardonnay with roasted chicken or a Pinot Grigio with a turkey breast.
8. Spicy dishes
Spicy dishes can be challenging food to pair with wine, but White wine can be a great choice for spicy dishes such as Thai or Indian cuisine.
White wine can help cool down the heat and refresh the palate. Try pairing a Riesling with spicy chicken curry or a Gewurztraminer with spicy pad Thai.
Explore More: What to Serve with Indian Butter Chicken
9. Oysters
With a briny, mineral-like flavor, oysters are the perfect partner for white wine.
The crisp acidity of many whites can bring out the salty flavors in the oyster, creating a balanced and complex pairing.
10. Fruit Dishes
White wines with a touch of sweetness are perfect for pairing with fruit-based desserts and dishes.
Riesling, Moscato and Chenin Blanc all have slightly sweet notes that bring out the flavors of the fruit without overpowering them.
They also pair well with lighter meat dishes such as pork and chicken.
11. Asian Dishes
White wine is also a great match for Asian cuisines, such as Thai and Chinese food. Its light body complements the spicy complexity of these dishes without overpowering them.
Try an unoaked Chardonnay or Gewürztraminer for milder dishes, or go for a Pinot Grigio or Chenin Blanc if you’re looking for something with more acidity to stand up to spicier curries and stir-fries.
12. Desserts
Sweet white wines such as Muscat or Moscato make an excellent pairing for desserts such as tarts, cakes and puddings.
The sweetness in these wines helps to balance out the richness of sugary treats while still allowing you to enjoy all their subtle nuances.
For lighter desserts like mousse or sorbet, go for a dry Riesling or Chenin Blanc – its acidity will cut through the sweetness for a refreshing finish.
13. Cocktails
White wine can also be used to make a variety of delicious cocktails. Its light body and fruity flavor make it perfect for mixing into punches, spritzers and sangrias – or simply sipping as an Aperol Spritz.
Experiment with different white wines to create your own signature cocktail!
14. Cheese Fondue
For cheese fondues, look no further than white wine! Its creaminess works well with the rich cheeses, while its light body enhances the flavors of all the other ingredients in the dish.
Try an oaked Chardonnay or dry Riesling – their boldness will stand up to the sharpness of the cheese without overpowering it.
15. Cheese Platters
White wine is also a great match for cheese platters. Its creamy texture works well with milder cheeses such as Brie, Camembert and goat’s cheese, while its crispness can stand up to the sharper flavors of blue cheese.
Try a Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio for an easy-drinking accompaniment to your favorite cheeses.
16. Cold Salads
White wine is perfect for refreshing cold salads such as Nicoise or Greek salad – its light body and acidity help to cut through the richness of these dishes, creating a harmonious balance of flavors.
Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc work best for this type of food – but don’t be afraid to experiment with other white wines too!
17. Charcuterie
White wine is also great for pairing with charcuterie such as salami, prosciutto and chorizo.
Its light body helps to contrast the richness of cured meats, while its crisp acidity enhances the flavor profile.
Try an unoaked Chardonnay or Gewürztraminer for a refreshing accompaniment, or go for a dry Riesling if you’re looking for something more complex.
18. Vegetarian Dishes
White wine is an excellent pairing for vegetarian dishes such as risotto, pasta and stuffed vegetables.
Its light body helps to cut through the richness of these dishes, while its crisp acidity enhances its flavor profile.
Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc are great choices; they’ll help to bring out the subtle nuances in the food without overwhelming it.
19. Fried Foods
For fried foods such as tempura, white wines make an excellent pairing. Their light body and crisp acidity can stand up to deep-fried flavors without overpowering them, and their subtle sweetness will enhance all the other ingredients in the dish.
Try a dry Riesling or Chenin Blanc for an easy-drinking accompaniment to your favorite fried foods.
5 best Sandwiches that go with white wine
1. Prosciutto and Brie Sandwiches
Prosciutto and Brie Sandwiches are a delicious combination of salty prosciutto and creamy brie that is an ideal match for a crisp white wine.
The buttery texture of the cheese perfectly complements the dryness of the white wine, while the saltiness of the prosciutto helps to bring out its fruity notes. Plus, these sandwiches are very simple to make and make for a great light meal.
2. Grilled Chicken and Avocado Sandwiches
Grilled Chicken and Avocado Sandwiches are packed with flavor from grilled chicken, creamy avocado and tangy Dijon mustard.
All these flavors combine superbly with a glass of chilled white wine, bringing out its citrusy or grassy tones depending on your choice of vintage.
3. Smoked Salmon Sandwiches
Smoke salmon pairs wonderfully with many styles of white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. (Recipe)
The subtle smokiness in the fish contrasts nicely with the fruitiness of the wine, creating a delightful flavor combination.
Use a spreadable cream cheese as a base and top it off with capers, dill or other herbs to bring this classic sandwich to life!
4. Ricotta and Honey Sandwiches
Ricotta and Honey Sandwiches are a surprisingly delicious combination that pairs best with an oaked Chardonnay or Riesling, thanks to its sweetness which will brighten up any bolder whites while balancing out their acidity levels.
Spread ricotta on crusty bread slices and drizzle some honey over them for an easy yet tasty snack that’ll go perfectly with your favorite bottle of white!
5. Egg Salad Sandwiches
Light whites like Chenin Blanc or Vermentino are perfect accompaniments for egg salad sandwiches due to their mildness which won’t overpower this delicate yet filling lunchtime staple.
Try adding chopped fresh dill or parsley into your egg salad mixture for added flavor before serving on crusty bread slices with some freshly cracked pepper!
Discover More: Best Side Dishes to Elevate Your Egg Salad Sandwich
White Wine and Food Pairing Guide
Choosing the best dishes to pair with white wine can be a daunting task. However, there are some easy guidelines that you can use when selecting food to match your favorite white wines.
When selecting dishes for white wine pairing, it is important to consider both the flavor profile and body of the wine.
Generally speaking, lighter-bodied wines such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc pair best with lighter flavors like seafood, salads, and pasta dishes that are made with herbs or mild sauces.
Heavier-bodied whites such as Chardonnay often stand up well to heartier fare like grilled fish, roasted chicken, and buttery sauces.
Additionally, if you’re serving a sweeter style of white wine, such as Riesling or Moscato, look for accompanying dishes that balance out sweetness, like fruit-based desserts or honey-glazed vegetables.
Further complexity can be added to white wine pairings by exploring regional cuisines from all over the world.
For example, if you’re serving an Italian Pinot Grigio, then why not include a few classic Italian antipasti items such as cured meats and marinated vegetables? Or if you’re drinking a crisp French Sauvignon Blanc, then you could enjoy light fish dishes served in creamy sauces typical of French bistros.
Finally, don’t forget to take into account additional flavors in your dish, such as herbs, spices and fats, which will all interact differently with different styles of white wine.
The goal is to create harmony between the food and the wine – where each element enhances the other without overpowering it. With these simple tips and tricks at hand, you’ll be sure to serve up delicious meals perfectly paired with your favorite whites!
Wrap Up
In conclusion, white wine can be a perfect pairing for a wide variety of dishes, from seafood and cheese to vegetables and poultry.
The trick to finding the right pairing is to match the acidity and flavors of the wine with the flavors and textures of the food.
So next time you are planning a meal, try one of these food and white wine pairings to elevate your dining experience.
