Order your next bottle of Scout & Cellar wine TODAY!
When it comes to pairing wine, pork dishes have to be one of the most flexible meats. It’s rich, but it can also be light, and it’s not as fatty as steak. So, what wine pairs with pork? The ideal wine for pork is one with a strong acidity level. This could be a white, red, or rosé wine.
Wine’s acidity is what makes it food-friendly. The acidity of a wine is affected by a number of elements, the most important of which are the climate and grape variety. Because the grapes ripen slower and longer in cooler climes, such as Chablis in France, the Finger Lakes in New York, or Tokaj in Hungary, higher-acid wines are produced. The chilly breeze blowing in from the water can also help wines develop acidity by preventing the grapes from overripening.
Certain grapes have a greater acid content by nature. Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Furmint, and Chardonnay that haven’t gone through malolactic fermentation are examples of white wines. Gamay and Cabernet Franc are good reds. Earthiness in a red wine can help it pair well with pork, so a grape like Nerello Mascalese, which comes from the volcanic soils of Sicily’s Mount Etna, is a good choice.
WHAT WINE PAIRS WITH PORK COOKING TECHNIQUES
Barbecued Pork
Because the mix of spice and sweetness tends to remove the fruit from white wines, I’d serve any of these meals with a powerful jammy red. A medium-bodied Shiraz or Australian Cabernet-Shiraz, a Chilean Merlot or Carmenère, a Pinotage, a Zinfandel – the list goes on. Wine with a lot of guts and a lot of sweetness.
Charcuterie
Because pig is at the heart of typical French charcuterie, it seems only natural to match it with a French wine. Beaujolais pairs beautifully with terrines, jambon persillé, and rillettes thanks to its vivid fruit. Choose a Beaujolais Villages or cru Beaujolais. You may also try a dry rosé or a rustic Marcillac.
Goulash
To me, paprika is always more significant than pork, and it conjures me images of a rustic red. If you want a regional partner, try a Hungarian Kékfrankos (Austrian Blaufrankisch), but otherwise I recommend a Rioja or equivalent Spanish red.
Mushrooms Or Mustard Creamy Sauce
Unsurprisingly, both red and white burgundies go nicely with this classic French bistro meal, which is frequently cooked with pork tenderloin. Other cool climate unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnays or Pinot Noirs, as well as a dry Alsace Riesling, Pinot Gris, or Vouvray, should also work.
Pork And Bean Stews
Because they can be extremely full, a wine with a high alcohol content is not recommended. Cassoulet pairs well with a simple medium-bodied red wine served in a carafe. If the stew is a little hotter, go for a slightly fuller fruitier wine, such as a cheap Navarra or other Spanish red or a Malbec.
Grilled Pork Chops
Depending on the saucing, similar recommendations can be made (if creamy, follow the recommendations below). You may be considering serving it with something more Italianate, such as a salsa verde, in which case grilled pork chops pair perfectly with a dry Italian white or a fine Valpolicella or Chianti.
Best Wine Pairing With Pork Chops
Pork With Cider Or Apples
Cider is by far the greatest compliment here, but if you must drink wine, I recommend a decent Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, or an easy-going affordable southern French red with a low alcohol content. Like the Côtes du Rhône once more.
Pulled Pork
Pulled pork makes me think of beer (preferably a nice IPA), but pinot noir has recently shown to be a surprisingly good wine partner. If it’s all about the barbecue sauce, stick to the recommendations above.
Sweet And Sour Pork Loin
More often than not, it’s served with other foods, which can alter the paring, but a fruity new world rosé, particularly a Merlot rosé, should be fine. I prefer it to the frequently advised wine pairings of Riesling. A fruity white wine, such as a Colombard or a Semillon-Chardonnay blend, can also be used.
Pork Roast
To be honest, white wine is a better compliment for most roast pork recipes than red, but psychologically, one expects a red with a roast, even one prepared with fennel, lemon, and garlic in the Italian style. With pork, I favor Northern Rhône and Italian reds, such as a good Crozes-Hermitage or a Chianti Classico (especially with the latter), though I know many pork lovers prefer Pinot Noir.
A good Côtes du Rhône Villages will go well with a more conventional entrée of roast pig and apple sauce. A light to medium-bodied red can work well with a more delicate roast suckling pig. With this dish, I recently experienced a Portuguese Bairrada, a Casa de Saima, which was delicious.
Many white wines will pair well with roast pork, especially when served cold, if you can step outside your comfort zone. Cold roast pork pairs well with old vine Chenin Blanc, while roast belly pork pairs well with an off-dry German Riesling (but check the surrounding veggies). Tomato-based foods aren’t a good match).
Summary: What Wine Pairs With Pork?
When it comes to wine pairing, pork has to be one of the most flexible meats. It’s rich, but it can also be light, and it’s not as fatty as steak. The ideal wine for pork is one with a strong acidity level. This could be a white, red, or rosé wine.
Wine’s acidity is what makes it food-friendly. The acidity of a wine is affected by a number of elements, the most important of which are the climate and grape variety. Because the grapes ripen slower and longer in cooler climes, such as Chablis in France, the Finger Lakes in New York, or Tokaj in Hungary, higher-acid wines are produced. The chilly breeze blowing in from the water can also help wines develop acidity by preventing the grapes from overripening.
Certain grapes have a greater acid content by nature. Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Furmint, and Chardonnay that haven’t gone through malolactic fermentation are examples of white wines. Gamay and Cabernet Franc are good reds. Earthiness in a red wine can help it pair well with pork, so a grape like Nerello Mascalese, which comes from the volcanic soils of Sicily’s Mount Etna, is a good choice.
If you have any questions about What Wine Pairs With Pork? contact me today.
