A Complete Wine Pairing Guide

Whether you’re something of a wine expert or more of a novice, a perfectly paired glass of wine can bring your palate to life. 

In the same way serving wine in the proper glass can enhance the drinking experience, a great food-and-wine pairing either emphasizes the similarities or amplifies the differences between the dish and the drink. 

Below, we offer tips and suggestions to help you learn the basics so you can create your own pairings with ease. 

Wine Pairing Methods

In wine, elements are predetermined. But in a recipe, a match can be made by choosing ingredients and cooking methods that complement or contrast with the chosen wine.

We break down the two most popular wine pairing methods below.

Congruent Pairings

When a wine and food feature similar flavor profiles, it enhances the taste of both. This is known as a congruent pairing. 

An example of a congruent food and wine pairing would be a creamy lobster pasta paired with a buttery Chardonnay.

Contrasting Pairings

When either the wine or the food dominates a pairing and helps to balance out the other, this is known as a contrasting pairing. 

An example of a contrasting food and wine pairing would be dry Champagne and salty caviar.

White Wine Pairing Ideas

Whether you’re looking to pair a dish with dry Sauvignon Blanc or a fruity Riesling, white wine lends itself well to a variety of dishes. We suggest a few classic white wine food pairings below.

Champagne and Smoked Salmon

Champagne is a versatile wine that pairs well with a wide variety of dishes. The wine’s high acidity level and small amount of sugar complement just about anything, from luscious cheeses to crunchy popcorn.

A contrasting pairing of vintage Champagne with a smoked salmon and red onion pizzette balances out the smokiness of the fish. 

Additional sparkling wine food pairing ideas:

• Caviar
• Shellfish
• Double-and triple-cream cheese

Sauvignon Blanc and Cioppino

With grass and grapefruit notes, a crisp Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with a variety of fish and shellfish. Serve a Sauvignon with strong fruity notes with a hearty cioppino for a nice contrasting pairing.

Additional Sauvignon Blanc food pairing ideas:

• Green vegetables
• Chicken
• Goat and sheep cheeses

Riesling and Pad Thai

Rieslings feature fresh floral aromas and fruity notes of apple, peach and pear. This light-bodied wine pairs well with the exotic spices you might find in Indian or Thai dishes. 

A contrasting pairing of fruity Riesling with a traditional pad Thai dish helps amplify the nutty, salty flavors of the pad thai.

Additional riesling food pairing ideas:

• Poultry and game birds
• Charcuterie
• Citrus

Chardonnay and Lobster

A dry medium- to full-bodied Chardonnay pairs well with a number of dishes, including fish and shellfish. Oaked Chardonnays present rich flavors of butter and vanilla, while unoaked Chardonnays have a fruitier profile. 

Serve an oaked Chardonnay with a buttery lobster roll or lobster ravioli for a perfect congruent pairing. 

Additional Chardonnay food pairing ideas:

• Poultry and game birds
• Butter and cream
• Cow's milk cheeses

Red Wine Pairing Ideas

If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “What does red wine pair with?” know you’re not alone. While the general rule of thumb is to serve red wine with red meats, there are many other pairing options to try.  

Pinot Noir and Truffle Mac and Cheese

Pinot Noir features complex flavor notes of cherry, mushroom and vanilla. Pinot Noirs grown in cooler climates tend to be more delicate, while Pinot Noirs grown in warmer climates tend to be more full-bodied. 

Pinot Noir pairs well with foods that bring out its savory notes, such as mushrooms and truffles. Try serving this type of wine with a truffled mac and cheese for a decadent contrasting pairing. 

Additional Pinot Noir food pairing ideas:

• Charcuterie and sausage
• Mild red meats
• Woody herbs

Merlot and Beef Bourguignon

Merlot features dark fruit flavors of black cherry and plum as well as cedar and cocoa. These flavors make Merlot a great addition to meat dishes such as pork and veal. 

Try a contrasting pairing of Merlot with lighter, fruiter notes from Australia or Argentina with a sumptuous beef bourguignon.

Additional Merlot food pairing ideas:

• Red meat and game meats
• Mushrooms and truffles 
• Woody herbs

Cabernet Sauvignon and Beef Tenderloin

Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied wine that features flavor notes such as black currant, cedar and baking spices. 

Serve a beef tenderloin with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon for a nice contrasting pairing. The high acidity and tannin levels in Cabernet Sauvignon helps cut through the fat of the steak while also complementing its flavor. 

Additional Cabernet Sauvignon food pairing ideas:

• Game meats
• Sausages
• Aged hard cheeses and blue cheeses

Rosé Wine Pairing Ideas

Rosé is a crisp wine that features flavor notes such as strawberry, black pepper and citrus, depending on where the grapes were grown. 

Rosé types range from very light dry wines to Rosé Champagne, meaning there’s a rosé for just about any food occasion. 

Try a contrasting pairing of a medium-bodied Rosé from southern France with a charcuterie spread which includes sausage and sheep cheese to enhance the floral, fruity flavors of the wine. 

Additional Rosé food pairing ideas:

• Smoked meats
• Bold spices
• Mild or strong cheeses

Dessert Wine Pairing Ideas

Dessert wines are extra sweet with high alcohol content and are meant to be enjoyed slowly after dinner in their own special dessert glasses. There are hundreds of dessert wines to choose from, depending on what you may be serving for dessert. 

Port-style wines pair well with a French vanilla ice cream, or a Tokaji with cardamom crème brûlée makes for a nice contrasting pairing. 

Additional dessert wine food pairing ideas:

• Chocolate
• Blue cheeses
• Nuts
• Dried fruit

Wine Pairing Chart

Below, we’ve compiled wine and food pairing suggestions as a quick guide when you’re stumped on what to serve with your meal.

Crafting the perfect wine and food pairing is a personal choice, as everyone’s taste buds and palates are different. 

Forget the old rules about red wines with meat and white with fish. Instead, experiment with different combinations and take note of the aromas and flavors you like. You might discover some surprising combinations you love along the way.