How to Pair White Wine with Food: A Complete Guide
Not all white wines are created equal — and neither are the foods they pair with. From light and crisp to rich and full-bodied, white wines span a remarkable spectrum of styles, each one uniquely suited to different dishes, ingredients, and occasions. Whether you’re new to wine or simply looking to sharpen your pairing instincts, this guide covers everything you need to match white wine with food like a pro.
White wine is one of the most versatile tools at any table. Whether you’re planning a dinner party or simply uncorking a bottle on a weeknight, knowing which whites work best with what you’re eating can transform an ordinary meal into something genuinely memorable. This white wine food pairing guide walks you through everything you need to know, so you can always make the right choice, with confidence.
What food to serve with… | C
| • Chardonnay Shrimp, lobster, crab, scallops, red snapper, striped bass, other white fish, tuna, oysters (raw), pasta with shellfish, pasta with clam sauce, crudité, chicken, turkey, veal Suggested reading: Fish & Seafood Guide |
| • Chenin Blanc Chicken, shrimp, oysters (raw), clams, mussels, antipasto, crudité, quiche, pasta salad, Thai foods, spicy Mexican foods, hard cow and sheep cheese |
| • Colombard Shrimp |
| • Cynthiana (aka Norton) Steak, sausage, veal |
| • Chianti Pasta with tomato sauce, pizza, most Italian foods Suggested reading: Italian Food & Cooking Terms & Glossary |
What food to serve with… | G & M & P
| • Gewürztraminer Foie gras, pâté, prosciutto, smoked fish (trout, herring), chicken salad, Thai foods, hard cow and sheep cheese, fresh fruit |
| • Marsanne Crab, lobster |
| • Muscat Foie gras, prosciutto, hard cow and sheep cheese, berries, custards, puddings Suggested reading: Foie Gras Terrine Recipe |
| • Pinot Blanc Shrimp, striped bass, mussels, smoked fish (trout, herring), clams, oysters (raw), antipasto, pasta with cream sauce, pasta with vegetables, crudité, prosciutto, chicken salad, spicy Chinese foods, Thai foods |
| • Pinot Grigio / Gris Salmon, salmon tartare, oysters (raw), mussels, antipasto, spicy Chinese foods Suggested reading: Smoked Salmon Recipe with Cream Cheese on Rye Canapés |
What food to serve with… | R & S
| • Riesling (Dry) Chicken, white fish, smoked fish (trout, herring), oysters (raw), rabbit, sausage, pasta salad, pasta with vegetables, pâté, prosciutto, quiche, frankfurters, curry (fish or chicken), spicy Chinese foods, spicy Mexican foods, Thai foods Suggested reading: Chinese Food & Cooking Terms & Glossary |
| • Riesling (Semi-dry) Chicken, sausage, sushi, sashimi, smoked fish (trout, herring), quiche, asparagus, cold meats, pâté, prosciutto, rabbit, chicken salad, curry (chicken or fish), spicy Chinese foods, spicy Mexican foods, Thai foods |
| • Roussanne Crab, lobster |
| • Sauvignon (fumé) Blanc Salmon, shrimp, swordfish, tuna, red snapper, mussels, crab, scallops, clams, oysters (raw), pasta with shellfish, pasta with vegetables, pasta salad, Nicoise salad, asparagus, antipasto, foie gras, curry (fish or chicken), soft goat cheese Learn more about pairing Sauvignon Blanc with food |
| • Sémillon Salmon, scallops, white fish, pasta salad |
| • Seyval Blanc Clams, cold meats, pâté |
What food to serve with… | V
| • Vidal Blanc Shrimp, asparagus |
| • Vignoles Cold meats, striped bass |
| • Vin Gris Chicken, salmon, swordfish, tuna, ham, cold meats, pâté, couscous, smoked chicken, spicy Mexican foods |
| • Viognier White fish, quiche, pasta with vegetables Suggested reading: Pasta Recipes for Cooking at Home |
