Pairing Wine with Meat & Poultry
Of course a great glass of red wine goes hand in hand with a perfectly seasoned steak.
But did you know that red wine is also a nice match for venison, turkey, lamb and sausage? The reason that cooked meat goes so well with red wine is that the browning that occurs when you cook meat over high heat creates complex, assertive flavors, ranging from sweet to savory.
These bold flavors need a wine with enough body and boldness to stand up to them. Red wine is the perfect companion for these flavors; the fat in the meat mellows the tannins in the wine, while the earthy notes in the wine bring out the smokiness of the meat.
> Check out GAYOT’s Wine of the Week.
Pairing Wine with Chicken
Chardonnay, Vin Gris, Riesling, Merlot, Gamay Beaujolais, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir, (Lighter) Cabernet Sauvignon
What Wine to Serve with Chicken Salad
Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc
Best Wine to Serve with Smoked Chicken
Vin Gris, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel
Pairing Duck with Wine
Pinot Noir, Merlot, Rosé Sparkling Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel
Best Wine to Serve with Hot Dogs
Riesling, (Chilled) Gamay Beaujolais
What Wine to Serve with Ham
Vin Gris, Gamay Beaujolais, Merlot
Best Wine to Serve with Hamburger
Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Syrah, Chancellor, Barbera, Zinfandel, Rhône Blends
Pairing Wine with Grilled Lamb
Meritage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Marechal Foch, Chancellor, Zinfandel
What Wine to Serve with Pheasant
Pinot Noir, Syrah
Pairing Quail with Wine
Pinot Noir
Best Wine to Serve with Rabbit
Riesling, Pinot Noir, Barbera, Merlot, Zinfandel
What Wine to Serve with Sausage
Riesling, Brut or Rosé Sparkling Wine, Barbera, Gamay Beaujolais, Norton or Cynthiana, Syrah, Zinfandel
Pairing Wine with Steak (Grilled, Broiled)
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rhône Blends, Zinfandel, Meritage, Norton or Cynthiana, Syrah, Brut Sparkling Wine
> Check out our Top 10 Steak Wines
What Wine to Serve with Turkey
Merlot, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Gamay Beaujolais
Best Wine to Serve with Veal
Chardonnay, Barbera, Merlot, Cynthiana
Pairing Venison with Wine
Syrah, Rhône Blends, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Norton, Chancellor, Cabernet Sauvignon
> For more information on these varietals, check out our Grape Varietal Definitions