Citrusy with aromatic hint of floral notes, white wine has sharper and more refreshing flavors compared to red wine that it is often bolder and richer overall.
Nevertheless, white wines are light, simple, and elegant. They are much more delicate than their red wine counterparts, hence extra caution is to be taken when serving with food.
What to eat with white wine? White wine pairs wonderfully with less complicated dishes such as shellfish, chicken, salad, fish, mild cheese, and potato chips.
When it comes to food to serve with white wine, go with chips and salsa, baked brie, cupcakes, pizza, humus and pita chips. However, specific varietals of white wine goes better with certain foods:
- Chardonnay: roasted chicken, smoked salmon
- Chenin Blanc: roast pork, lemony dessert, bread and butter pudding
- Gewürztraminer: sweet and spicy Asian food, fruit tarts, creamy blue cheese
- Pinot Gris: Chinese food, dim sum, spring rolls, duck
- Riesling: Thai green curry, chicken korma, apple crumble, vanilla ice cream
- Sauvignon Blanc: goat cheese, foie gras, plum tart, blue cheese
- Viognier: fish with mango and chili, pad thai
A glass of white wine should be served chilled, while some require colder temperatures than others. With this in mind, always serve white wines with lighter tastes to avoid upsetting the balance on the palate.
Whether cooking with white wine or serving it with food, there are certain ingredients that go better together than others. If you are not sure about what snacks, cheese types, and meats to serve with white wine, this article is for you!
What flavor goes well with white wine?
Incorporating fruits makes white wines taste better. The addition of strawberries, apples, and other sour fruits infuses flavor and gives a nice decorative touch.
From creamy entrees to sweet desserts, white wine blends well with various flavor profiles.
Here are classic combinations that goes well with white wine:
- white wine + pasta + red pepper flakes + olive oil + lemon juice
- white wine + cream + chicken + herbs de Provence
- white wine + maple syrup + honey + heavy cream + rolled oats
- white wine + brie + bread + cheddar cheese + whole grain mustard
- white wine + tortellini + cherry tomatoes + heavy cream
Good snacks to eat with white wine
Snacks are a must-have at any gathering, especially with a glass of white wine. But what snacks should be paired specially with white wine? Let’s find out!
- Popcorn: Easy to make, cheap, and customizable, popcorn pairs perfectly with chardonnay since they both have a creamy taste. The buttery flavor of chardonnay marries perfectly with the richness of popcorn without hiding or overpowering the taste.
- Nuts: A bowl of mixed nuts alongside white wine is great appetizer at any event. Preferably pair white wine with cashews, pistachios, or almonds for a delightful experience.
- Pizza: Whether serving fresh or cold leftover pizza, these two are a perfect blend. Pinot Grigio is particularly fit, thanks to the white wine being slightly fruity and semi-dry.
- Cupcakes: Not only savory food, but white wine pairs perfectly with sweet treats as well. Try a glass of Moscato with sweet mini cupcakes for an explosion of taste.
- Salsa and chips: Serve chips and salsa with an acidic white wine that matches a dish in acidity. Pinot Grigio and Riesling are great with these type of snacks.
- Fruits: If you are looking for a sweet, healthy companion to white wine, then fruits are the answer. White wines that complement the sweetness if fruits includes both Moscato and Riesling.
White wine is served with what meat
Heavy red meats are typically not the best pairing with white wine. However, some cuts of meat are doable with white wine when using specific cooking techniques.
Serve white wine with:
- Poultry: The easiest pairing with white wine is poultry, especially roasted chicken. Try serving chicken with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or Riesling because chicken goes well with white wine.
- Beef: Not all white wines can stand up to beef, however Chardonnay is surprisingly delicious with beef. When firing up a barbecue grill, go for a nutty, lightly oaked and smoky Chardonnay. The acidity is able to cut through the fattiness and juiciness of the meat without much concern.
- Fish: Whether baked, sautéed, or grilled, fish is pretty light and generally pairs well with white wine. Chardonnay is the perfect match, but Sauvignon Blanc or dry Riesling will do the trick.
- Shrimp, lobster, and crab: In general, white wine goes well with seafood. However, some types are fuller and richer than others, so they should be treated as such. Shrimp, lobster, and crab goes well with either a Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling to balance out the complexity of flavors.
White wine pairing cheese
Similar to red wine, white wine is pairs well with a variety of cheese, especially a charcuterie board with aged cheddar, gouda, or havarti. Other cheeses to consider based not he white wine varietal are asiago, brie, blue, goat, provolone, swiss, parmesan, monterey jack and muenster
Although it’s recommended to select the type of white wine depending on the cheese being paired together, these three go well with just about any varietal of white wine.
Depending on the selection of white wine, here are the best cheese pairings to go along with:
- Sauvignon Blanc: cheddar, gouda, havarti, monterey jack, muenster, parmesan, swiss
- Chardonnay: asiago, brie, gouda, provolone, monterey jack
- Moscato: blue cheese, parmesan, goat cheese, brie cheese
- Riesling: colby, swiss, asiago, blue cheese, cheddar, gouda, monterey Jack, muenster, parmesan
- Pinot Grigio: cheddar, gouda, monterey jack, swiss
- Chenin Blanc: brie, cheddar, goat cheese
Eat with White Wine: Conclusion
When pairing white wine with snacks, meats, and cheese, always seek lighter foods with lighter wines. This ensures that the two blend perfectly, without one item overpowering the other.
Serve white wine with shellfish, chicken, salad, fish, mild cheese, and potato chips.Chicken and seafood are ideal protein options when it comes to complementing white wine.
However, Chardonnay is the only white wine that tastes good with barbecued or grilled beef because it cuts through the fat without being overrun by the meaty flavor.
For small bite for snack or lunch, try it with chips and salsa, baked brie, cupcakes for dessert, pizza, hummus and pita for healthy options.
Wine and cheese plates are always welcomed to the party, and white wine goes well with aged cheddar, gouda, and havarti in particular.
There’s no formal instruction manual for pairing wines and foods. However, use this guide with a bit of practice and you will find the best white wines to accompany certain foods.