Food and Wine Pairing Chart

This food and wine pairing chart gives some of our most favored food and wine matches

It is well worth taking a little time to match the flavor and body factors in order to present a well-balanced food and wine pairing. Although it is done, don't feel compelled to serve a different wine for each food course. A simple approach is to serve the wine that harmonizes with the main course and serve it throughout the meal.

Serve a dessert wine or an after dinner brandy or liqueur to round out the menu.

Use this simple food and wine pairing chart to choose the perfect wine for your perfect meal

Food and Flavors	Red Wines	White Wines
Beef, beef dishes, burgers,  beef stews, grilled steaks, fillet mignon	Burgundy Beaujolais Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon Pinot Noir Zinfandel Shiraz
Veal	Merlot Pinot Noir Zinfandel	Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc
Lamb chops, leg of lamb; Duck	Beaujolais Cabernet Sauvignon Bordeaux Merlot Zinfandel	Riesling Sauvignon Blanc
Chicken, chicken dishes, stews, (hot or cold) spicy entrees.  Red wines good with dark meat; mustard, clove, ginger, cumin	Beaujolais Pinot Noir (Roasted,  hearty dishes) Merlot (Stews, BBQ) Zinfandel	Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay Gewurztraminer (Spicy or ethnic foods) Pinot Gris Chardonnay
Pork, pork dishes, sausages, pizza,  BBQ, bacon, onion, hot pepper, chili pepper, highly seasoned food	Cabernet Sauvignon Pinot Noir Shiraz Zinfandel	Riesling Pinot Gris Gewurztraminer Fume Blanc
Fish, fish dishes.  Shellfish and dishes containing shellfish.  Seafood sauces or pasta, Mornay sauce, Alfredo; garlic, oregano, tarragon	Pinot Noir (Salmon, tuna) Shiraz (Salmon, tuna)	Chardonnay Riesling Chablis Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Grigio
Game, venison, rabbit, braised or stewed	Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Zinfandel Shiraz
Turkey. Other fowl, quail, squab, capons, Cornish Hens	Cabernet Sauvignon Pinot Noir	Chardonnay
Vegetables, basic vegetable dishes, vegetarian meals, salads Choose lighter varieties to match the sweetness, acidity or flavoring components	Cabernet Sauvignon (Grilled Vegetables, tomatoes, eggplant) Shiraz	Gewurztraminer Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Grigio Riesling
Tomato Sauces. Pasta, lasagna,  pizza, cacciatore	Chianti Cabernet Sauvignon Zinfandel Pinot Noir	Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay
Pasta and Soups Choose wine based on main ingredient i.e., chicken, beef, tomato, etc	Zinfandel	Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc
Appetizers, Aperitif	Sherry Shiraz Brandy	Chenin Blanc Riesling Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay Pinot Grigio Sauternes
Fruits	Port	Chenin Blanc Pinot Blanc
Cheeses.  Cheese course eaten alone or with fruit.  Dishes predominately composed of cheese, choose white wine	Beaujolais Port Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Zinfandel (Sharp, hearty cheeses) Madeira, Sherry	Chardonnay Gewurztraminer
Dessert	Shiraz (chocolates)	Sauternes Champagne
After Dinner	Brandy Cognac Port Madeira, Sherry  (Dry, serve chilled) Liqueurs	Sauternes Champagne

More Pairing Food and Wine
Easy Guide to Food and Wine
Flavor is Everything