Wine Pairing Guide: How to Pair Red and White Wine with Food
Choosing the right wine for a meal doesn’t have to be complicated. The best wine and food pairings usually come down to balancing flavour, acidity, sweetness, richness, body, and texture so that neither the wine nor the food overwhelms the other.
In this wine pairing guide, we’ll explain how to pair red wine and white wine with food, including popular pairings for steak, chicken, seafood, pasta, cheese, and other everyday dishes. Whether you’re planning a dinner party, choosing wine for a special occasion, or simply deciding what to drink with dinner, these simple wine pairing tips can help you make a more confident choice.
The Basics of Wine Pairing
A common starting point is to pair lighter wines with lighter dishes and fuller-bodied wines with richer foods. For example, crisp white wines often complement seafood and lighter dishes, while fuller-bodied red wines are commonly paired with steak, roasted meats, and richer sauces.
It’s not a strict rule, but it’s a useful starting point when you’re unsure which wine to choose.
When choosing a wine to pair with food, consider these key characteristics:
Acidity: Wines with higher acidity can help balance rich, creamy, salty, or fatty foods and can work particularly well with dishes that contain citrus or tomato.
Tannins: Found mainly in red wine, and work particularly well with rich proteins and fatty meats.
Body: Try to match the weight of the wine with the weight of the dish. Light-bodied wines generally work well with delicate foods, while full-bodied wines can stand up to richer, more intensely flavoured meals.
Flavour: Similar or complementary flavours can create a more balanced pairing. Fruity wines can complement sweet or savoury dishes, while earthy wines may pair well with mushrooms, herbs, and roasted foods.
With these basics in mind, let’s explore some of the best food pairings for white wine and red wine, including specific recommendations for popular grape varieties and dishes.
White Wine Food Pairing Guide: What Food Goes Best With White Wine?
White wine is often lighter, brighter, and higher in acidity than red wine, making it a natural match for seafood, chicken, pork, creamy pasta, fresh herbs, and lighter dishes. The best white wine food pairings depend on the grape variety and style of wine. Crisp wines such as Sauvignon Blanc work well with fresh seafood and herb-driven dishes, while fuller-bodied wines such as Chardonnay can complement richer foods like lobster, creamy pasta, and roasted chicken.
Best White Wine for Seafood & Fish
White wine and seafood are a classic combination because the acidity in many white wines can balance rich flavours while complementing the delicate texture of fish and shellfish.
Popular pairings include:
Sauvignon Blanc → oysters, prawns, and fresh seafood
Pinot Grigio → grilled fish, calamari, and lighter seafood dishes
Chardonnay → lobster, crab, scallop, and buttery seafood dishes
If you’re choosing wine for seafood, lighter and more acidic white wines generally work best with delicate fish, while richer white wines can stand up to creamy sauces and fuller-flavoured shellfish.
Best White Wine for Chicken & Pork
White wine also pairs well with chicken and pork, especially when the meat is grilled, roasted, or served with herbs, citrus, cream, or fruit-based sauces.
Popular pairings include:
Unoaked Chardonnay → roasted or grilled chicken
Riesling → pork and dishes with fruit-based sauces
Sauvignon Blanc → herb-seasoned chicken dishes
The sauce and seasoning often matter just as much as the meat itself, so consider the overall flavour of the dish when choosing your wine.
Best White Wine for Creamy & Buttery Dishes
Creamy dishes can pair especially well with fuller-bodied white wines. A wine with good acidity helps balance the richness of butter, cheese, and cream, while still complementing the texture of the dish.
Popular pairings include:
Chardonnay → creamy pasta, risotto, and Alfredo dishes
For richer meals, a fuller-bodied Chardonnay can provide enough weight and flavour to complement the dish without being overwhelmed.
Choosing the Right Glass for White Wine
The right white wine glass can also influence how a wine’s aromas and flavours are experienced. White wine glasses generally feature a smaller or narrower bowl than red wine glasses, helping preserve freshness while concentrating delicate aromas. If white wine is your drink of choice, our Verona Bianco and Vulcano Bianco white wine glasses are designed to complement the experience.
Red Wine Food Pairing Guide: What Food Goes Best With Red Wine?
Red wines are generally bolder and often contain tannins, making them a natural match for rich, savoury, and protein-rich foods. When deciding what red wine to pair with dinner, think about foods with fat, protein, smoke, or deep savoury flavours.
Best Red Wine for Red Meat & Grilled Proteins
Red wine and steak are a classic pairing. The tannins in many red wines complement the richness of beef, while bold flavours in the wine can stand up to grilled, roasted, and smoked meats.
Popular pairings include:
Cabernet Sauvignon → steak, lamb, roast beef, and burgers
Malbec → grilled beef, BBQ, and smokey meats
Syrah/Shiraz → ribs, smoked meats, and peppery dishes
Best Red Wine for Pasta & Tomato-Based Dishes
Tomato-based dishes are naturally acidic, which makes them a great match for red wines with good acidity.
Popular pairings include:
Chianti → spaghetti Bolognese, lasagna, and other tomato-based pasta dishes
Zinfandel → pizza and rich tomato-based dishes
Best Red Wine for Cheese
Red wine and cheese can be an excellent pairing, but the intensity of the wine and cheese should generally be balanced. Full-bodied reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon work well with aged and firm cheeses, while lighter reds such as Pinot Noir can complement softer and more delicate cheeses. Some popular combinations include Cabernet Sauvignon with aged cheddar, Merlot with Gouda, and Pinot Noir with Brie or Gruyère.
Choosing the Right Glass for Red Wine
The right red wine glass can help concentrate aromas and give the wine more room to open up. Red wine glasses generally have larger bowls than white wine glasses, providing more surface area for the wine to interact with air. Pair your favourite bottle with our Verona Bordeaux or Vulcano Rosso red wine glasses.
Wine Pairing is a Guide: Not a Set of Rules
Your personal taste matters most. If you enjoy a particular wine with a particular dish, that’s a good pairing for you. The right wine pairing can make a meal feel even more special, and the right wine glass can complete the experience.
Not sure which wine glass is right for you? Explore our wine glass guide to find the perfect match.