What wine for aperitifs? Our pairings for nibbles and boards
331 wines to serve as an aperitifFor an aperitif, serve a fresh, light wine: bubbles such as a Prosecco, a lively white (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Furmint) or a fruity red served chilled, such as a Grenache or a young Tempranillo. The aperitif opens the meal: the wine awakens the palate and goes with the nibbles.
Match it with what you serve: bubbles for gougères and crisps, a mineral white for oysters and fresh cheese, a red from Spain or Italy for charcuterie and tapas. Find our ideas in the guide wine and apéro dînatoire.
Kamanterena - Xynisteri Dry 2024
Xynisteri, Cyprus's emblematic white grape, in a fresh, fruity version from the hills of Paphos.
Holdvölgy - Exaltation 2015
A late harvest that enhances the Muscat à petits grains in the prestigious volcanic terroir of Tokaj
Duvernay - Rully 1er Cru Champs Cloux Rouge 2024
A Rully premier cru with ripe fruit, cherry and violet, carried by elegant tannins.
Decoy - Sparkling Cuvee Brut
Fine bubbles from Sonoma, green apple and brioche: a lively brut to open the meal.
Vite Colte - Moscato d'Asti "La Gatta" 2025
White flowers, lychee and light bubbles: a fresh Moscato d'Asti, never heavy.
Vigneti Canosini - Tufarello Nero di Troia 2023
Nero di Troia, an indigenous grape variety from northern Puglia
Santa Margherita - Prosecco Rive di Refrontolo Extra-Brut Superiore DOCG 2025
An extra-brut Prosecco from the Rive di Refrontolo: green apple, fine, taut bubbles.
Les Maîtres Vignerons de Saint-Tropez - Saint Roch des Vignes Côtes de Provence 2024
Small red fruit and lemon blossom: Côtes de Provence rosé in a classic register.
Matías Riccitelli - Old Vine From Patagonia Torrontés 2024
A high-end Patagonian wine, made from old Torrontes vines
Anselmo Mendes - Contacto 2024
A mineral and fine wine, made by a master of Vinho Verde
Chappaz - Dôle La Liaudisaz 2024
A Dôle from the Valais terroir, gourmet and precise, which combines alpine freshness and charming fruitiness.
Torbreck - Hillside Vineyard Grenache 2021
Grenache at its best Australian expression
Holdvölgy - Culture Aszú 6 puttonyos 2016
A Tokaji 6 puttonyos with a majestic and refined expression
Alheit Vineyards - Lost & Found Muscat d'Alexandrie 2019
Old-vine Muscat of Alexandria, white flowers and honey without any heaviness.
Pete's Pure - Moscato
Fine bubbles, peach and apricot, a light sweetness that stays lively on the finish.
Domaine la Renarde - Crémant de Bourgogne Brut
Green apple, almond and brioche: fine Burgundy bubbles ready for the aperitif.
Domaine Bonnardot - Bourgogne Aligoté Blanc 2024
Taut Aligoté, lemon and flint, without an ounce of fat.
Torres - Celeste Roble Pago Del Cielo 2021
High-altitude Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero, blueberry and vanilla, supple tannins.
Rocca Di Frassinello - Poggio Alla Guardia 2023
A supple, fruity red from the Maremma, cherry, sweet spice, to drink young.
Domaine de Bel-Air - Bourgueil Les Vingts Lieux Dits Rouge 2022
Blackberry, blackcurrant and green pepper: a tank-aged Bourgueil to serve cool with grilled meats.
Domaine Dubois - Nuits-Saint-Georges Rouge 2023
Blackcurrant and black cherry with a hint of tobacco: Nuits-Saint-Georges in its structured style.
Mount Pleasant - Elizabeth 2016
An Australian Sémillon emblematic of its region: finesse, acidity and minerality are essential.
Emmerich Knoll - Grüner Veltliner Loibner Federspiel 2025
A white wine of great finesse from steep vineyards over 40 degrees!
Paso Primero - Paso Primero Blanco 2019
A lovely white wine from Northern Spain, from vineyards at the foot of the Pyrenees
Which wine for which appetiser?
What is on the board guides the pairing. Here are our pointers for the most popular nibbles.
| Dish | Wines to choose | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Charcuterie board saucisson, cured ham, chorizo | Light, fruity red: Tempranillo, Grenache, Montepulciano | Fruit and supple tannins answer the fat and salt of the charcuterie. |
| Cheese board young Comté, tomme, fresh goat's cheese | Dry white: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc | The acidity of the white refreshes the palate between bites of cheese. |
| Gougères, puff pastries and crisps gougères, cheese straws, artisan crisps | Bubbles: Prosecco, brut sparkling wine | Fine bubbles cleanse the palate of butter and salt. |
| Spanish tapas pan con tomate, croquetas, olives, pimientos de padrón | Spanish red or southern white: Tempranillo, Verdeca | These sun-drenched wines keep pace with olive oil, tomato and paprika. |
| Oysters and seafood oysters, prawns, fish rillettes | Mineral white: taut Chardonnay, dry Riesling, Furmint | The briny tension of the wine extends the taste of the sea. |
| Plant-based nibbles and dips hummus, tapenade, crunchy vegetables, guacamole | Fresh rosé or aromatic white: rosato from Puglia, Sauvignon Blanc | Freshness and herbaceous notes answer raw vegetables and sweet spices. |
| Sweet and savoury nibbles foie gras toasts, figs with goat's cheese, bacon-wrapped dates | Sweet wine: Tokaji, Moscato d'Asti, late harvest | The sweetness of the wine balances the salt and highlights the dried fruit notes. |
For an apéro dînatoire, choose the wine according to the main nibble: bubbles for puff pastries, a light red for charcuterie.
Freshness above all
At aperitif time, the palate is still fresh: our approach is to favour wines that are fresh, lively and light on the palate. Italy dominates our selection for good reason: the Prosecco from Sutto or Bresolin, the delicately sweet Moscato d'Asti "San Gròd" from Torelli, or the Verdeca from Vineka, a white from Puglia with citrus notes. These wines go lightly with the nibbles.
From Spain, a young Tempranillo served chilled is a wonderful match for ham, chorizo and croquetas. To surprise your guests, try a Furmint from Tokaj, such as the Tokaji Furmint Duck from Balassa: its liveliness and pear notes answer goat's cheeses and smoked fish bites. Finally, a rosato from Puglia, such as the Amai Susumaniello Rosato from San Marzano, adds a lovely touch of colour to a summer board.
Three pairings for your sharing boards
Pairing 1. Warm gougères and brut Prosecco, for bubbles that answer the cheese.
Pairing 2. Ibérico ham and Tempranillo served chilled, a Spanish duo all about fruit.
Pairing 3. Goat's cheese with figs and Moscato d'Asti, a delicate sweet and savoury contrast.
The Wine Wanderer Team
Your questions about wine and aperitifs
What white wine for an aperitif?
A dry, fresh, lively white is ideal for an aperitif: taut Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, dry Riesling or Furmint. These wines go with fresh cheeses, seafood and savoury nibbles. For a rounder touch, a white from Puglia such as Verdeca brings notes of citrus and white fruit. Serve it between 8 and 10 °C.
What red wine for an aperitif?
Choose a light, fruity red with supple tannins, served slightly chilled: young Tempranillo, Grenache, Pinot Noir or Montepulciano. It goes perfectly with charcuterie, tapas and olives. Explore our selection of light red wines to find the style you like.
Champagne, Prosecco or white wine as an aperitif?
The choice depends on the nibbles: bubbles excel with puff pastries, crisps and gougères, white wine with cheeses and seafood. Prosecco offers a fruity, floral style, Champagne more finesse and brioche notes. Both give the meal a festive start.
What wine for an apéro dînatoire?
For an apéro dînatoire, choose a versatile wine that can keep up with a variety of nibbles: a light red such as a Grenache or a Pinot Noir, or a dry, fruity white such as a Chardonnay. A rosé with character also makes an excellent compromise between charcuterie, vegetables and cheeses.
What wine goes with a charcuterie and cheese board?
A fruity, supple red, such as a Tempranillo or a Montepulciano, is an ideal match for a mixed board of charcuterie and cheese. Its light tannins respect the fat of the saucisson and the texture of hard cheeses. If the board features plenty of goat's cheese, prefer a lively white such as a Sauvignon Blanc.
At what temperature should wine be served as an aperitif?
Serve bubbles and whites between 6 and 10 °C, and light reds at around 14 °C. At aperitif time, a cool temperature brings out the fruit and liveliness of the wine. Take the red out of the fridge a quarter of an hour before serving so that it reaches the right temperature.