Do you ponder on the thought of what wine goes with pork? Here, we explore a simple guide to pork and wine pairings depending on the way pork is cooked, the cut of the meat, and how it balances your palate.
Pork is many splendid things. From pork roast, baby back ribs, pulled pork, pork bangers, pork sausage, pork chops, pork belly, hams, to bacon – pork can be paired with a variety of wines.
When you think of that perfect bite of pork, I’m sure your idea of that perfect bite is different from our idea of that perfect bite. Pork is a versatile protein and it is delicious either way.
Pork is excellently paired with wine. You can argue that beer and single malts would go well with pork too and we’re not countering that. But we do agree that wine with pork creates a tantalizing gastronomic experience.
Here’s a list of wines that ever so perfectly go well with pork.
Table of Contents
1. German Riesling
If you’re a fan of white wine over red wine or you’re simply in the mood for a glass of white instead of red, German Riesling is your best choice. German Riesling has a touch of sweetness that goes perfectly well with that melt-in-your-mouth pork belly or suckling pig.
Roast pork belly balances well with a wine that has a high level of acidity with a touch of sweetness – and that, friends, is the cookie cutter piece wherein German Riesling falls. German Riesling provides freshness with its crisp body. This cuts through the fat of the pork perfectly well.
2. Grenache
If you’re having a night of bangers and mash, Grenache would be a good wine to pair with your meal. Grenache has notes of deep berries such as black cherry, strawberry and raspberry. It has some hints of spice aroma like cinnamon and anise, which perfumes your mouth for every bite of that pork sausage with mash.
Grenache is medium-bodied with high alcohol content and a deceptive low tannin level, which makes it almost translucent.
3. Rosé
Rosé is great with BBQ pork and you’re probably surprised by this fact. Rosé has aromas of watermelon, strawberry and citrus which makes it go very well with grilled food.
Rosé is a good choice for pulled pork BBQ, or pork chop BBQ. There’s nothing like that brightness cutting through our rich pork BBQ.
4. Chardonnay
If you’re having a French-style pork dish laced with creamy sauce, the best wine choice for your meal would be a good Chardonnay.
Pork that is usually cooked with cream sauce is a lighter cut of pork, which complements the subtleness of Chardonnay. Chardonnay goes well with a wide variety of food and pork isn’t shy of this.
5. Aged Barolo
Having ham for the holidays? Aged Barolo is the perfect match for roast ham whether or not is it sweet-glazed or savory. Ham is slightly more savory than the rest, that’s a fact. When paired with Aged Barolo, the notes of spice and flavors of wild cherries enhance the flavors of the roast ham.
6. Chenin
Chenin is a fresh and versatile kind of white wine with notes of apples, quince, pear, baked apple and passion fruit. It has an oaky aroma of butter popcorn, butterscotch and lemon curd that definitely dresses your tongue.
Chenin goes so well with pork casseroles or pork pies with cider or apples. The similar notes of both complement each other for every bite.
7. Chianti
If you’re having pork chops with some kind of Italian sauce like salsa verde or some fresh pesto, Chianti would be the best pair for this. Pork chops are easy and pork chops can be cooked so many ways. But if it’s the kind of classic grilled pork chop backed with a sauce, you can’t go wrong with nice and classic Chianti.
Chianti is a world favorite. It goes well with classic pork cooked with rosemary. These flavors are balanced by the tannic level and ideal acidity of Chianti.
