White Wine Pairing 101
By Annemarie D'Alessandro
Wine itself is complex and it is nearly impossible to learn everything about it, which makes wine pairing difficult to master. But don’t be discouraged as understanding the basics of wine pairings can take your dining experiences to the next level!
Determining the major tasting note of your wine of choice is the first step in narrowing down pairing options. The major tasting profiles are fatty, acidic, bitter, salty, sweet, and spicy. In general, all white wines tend to be more acidic and much less bitter than red wines. Sweetness varies greatly in wines, but two of the most common white wines that are on the sweeter end are Moscato and Riesling.
When it comes to pairing itself, there are two methods: contrasting and complimentary. Contrasting pairs items with the same major flavor profiles whereas complementary pairs items with opposite flavor profiles. So, for a pairing that is contrasting, you would focus on two items that are sweet, but if you wanted to do a complementary pairing, you would choose one item that is acidic and one that is fatty. Here’s a diagram to help you visualize how the flavor profiles interact with one another:
The dark green lines connect the best pairings, purple connect second best, and light green connects third best. Dashed gray lines are pairings that are not compatible.
A good rule of thumb for white wine pairings is white wine goes with white meats. Based on this assumption, it would be a good bet to pair a white wine with white fish, chicken, turkey, and other white meat seafoods like clams. If your dish contains white meat and some type of sauce, it is best to narrow down your wine choice using the major flavor profiles. Overall, is your dish acidic, bitter, or sweet? A combination? Does it contain some of the other flavor profiles (fatty, spicy, or salty)? Let’s break down some of the most common white wines, their flavor profiles, and some foods they complement the most. I’ll even throw in some recommendations for popular wines we carry in store!
We’ll begin with one of the most common white wines: Pinot Grigio. Pinot Grigio, sometimes called Pinot Gris, is a great wine for pairing beginners since its flavor profile doesn’t necessarily specialize in any one category. Pinot Grigio is made from the grape Pinot Gris which gives the wine its dry, light-bodied, somewhat acidic character. As a white wine, Pinot Grigio will pair wonderfully with salads, especially with dressings that are slightly acidic because of the acidity in the wine. It will also pair well with more delicate white meats since it is light-bodied and its flavor won’t overpower the more subtle flavors in the dish. Have cheese in your dish? Pinot Grigio is great for dishes that have lighter cheeses since there isn’t a ton of acidity in this type of wine to combat extra fattiness that heavier, richer cheeses would bring to the table. One of my personal favorite pinot grigios from Passion Vines is Voga:
Voga is a wonderful Pinot Grigio because it tends to have a slightly bolder flavor profile, while also allowing bright fruit flavors to shine through. It is one of the most popular white wines produced in Northern Italy, and after a glass, you’ll know why! Plus, at only $11.99 per bottle, you’re set to have a wonderful pairing without breaking the bank.
Now let’s move on to Chardonnay. This wine tends to be about as acidic as pinot grigio, but it tends to have more unique flavors in its arsenal. Aging Chardonnay in oak barrels tends to bring out toasty butter, caramel, and vanilla notes which gives the wine a fuller body. If Chardonnay isn’t aged in oak barrels, it will tend to take on a lighter, more fruity taste. Regardless of aging process, Chardonnay has a fuller body than most wines which makes it a wonderful option to pair with creamier dishes. It also pairs well with chicken, mushrooms, and seafoods often served with butter such as lobster, shrimp, and clams.
One of our most popular Chardonnays that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser is Harken’s 2018 Chardonnay:
Harken Wines creates one of the most fabulous Chardonnays. The 2018 chardonnay we carry at Passion Vines is 100% barrel fermented, so you will definitely taste the bold oak with a smooth buttery finish. This makes the Harken Chardonnay a real treat to enjoy, whether it’s on its own or paired with your favorite cheesy seafood! I also tried this wine with some buttery movie theater popcorn and let me tell you, this will bring movie night to the next level! Give it a go for only $12.99 a bottle
Next up is Sauvignon Blanc! Sauvignon Blanc has aggressive citrus flavors, making it a very acidic white wine. It also typically contains some herbal notes, like grass or green pepper, that balances out some of the citrus flavor. In terms of body, Sauvignon Blanc tends to be on the lighter side with a few reaching towards medium body. Medium bodied Sauvignon Blanc tends to have sweeter fruit flavors like honeydew and kiwi. Sauvignon Blanc is a great partner for dishes containing white meats with mild flavors like veal or pork. If you’re a fan of rich, fatty cheeses, this wine will be great as a complementary pairing because the acidity will cut through the cheese. Dishes that are very herbal will form a contrasting pairing with this wine as well! A wonderful sauvignon blanc from Passion Vines is Liquid Light:
Liquid Light Sauvignon Blanc is one of my favorites because of its combination of flavors. As a dry, acidic wine you would expect there to be a bite, but this wine is the exception! It brings wonderful flavors of grapefruit and green pineapple, balanced with a hint of honeydew and grass. It’s perfect to sip on a summer night with friends or paired with your favorite white fish and a side salad. For $14.99 a bottle, you’re getting the whole package without having to break the bank!
Let’s end our white wine pairing journey with a look at Riesling. Riesling is interesting because of its ability to balance sweetness with a high level of acidity. The wine itself remains a light to medium-bodied wine, but the sweetness is highly variable and depends entirely on the fermenting process. Thus, some Rieslings are purposefully made to be sweet and others dry. Regardless, there are mainly citrus and peach or nectarine notes that are occasionally accompanied by subtle floral and herbal notes. The high acidity in both sweet and dry Rieslings make it a great partner to sweet, salty, or fatty dishes. Any white meat would most likely pair well with a Riesling, but it would be even better if the meat is somewhat salty and paired with a fatty ingredient, such as mac and cheese mixed with some salty ham and sun-dried tomatoes! One of my favorite Rieslings here at Passion Vines is the Montinore Estate Sweet Riesling:
Montinore Estate makes a wonderful Riesling that features hints of green apple, peaches, and lemon zest. It is fairly acidic but remains lightly sweet so it is perfect to drink on its own or paired with your favorite dish. This Riesling also happens to be certified organic and the grapes are grown using sustainable farming practices. Despite these extra certifications and practices, the bottle remains at a lower price point at only $15 per bottle so you can enjoy it guilt-free!
I hope you all give some of these wines a try and maybe find a new favorite! Next up is Red Wine Pairings 101 so if you’re a red wine lover, keep an eye out for that post next week.
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