What wine goes with white meat? Chardonnay, Chenin or Pinot Noir
927 wines to serve with white meatWith white meat, serve a full-bodied white such as Chardonnay or Chenin Blanc, or a light, fruity red such as Pinot Noir. The sauce guides the choice: cream and mushrooms point to white, roasting juices and golden skin to red.
Poultry, veal and pork share tender, delicate meat. Our selection brings together Chenins from South Africa, Chardonnays from Burgundy, Rieslings, Pinot Noirs from all over the world and a few sakes for Asian-inspired recipes.
Hahn - Smith & Hook Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
A Californian Cabernet Sauvignon that is generous and structured, combining intense fruit, spice, and elegant oak.
Hahn - Pinot Noir 2021
A juicy, balanced Californian Pinot Noir, where coastal freshness highlights vibrant fruit and silky tannins.
Hahn - Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
A Californian Cabernet Sauvignon combining ripe dark fruit, elegant oak, and a velvety structure.
Hahn - Boneshaker 2020
A powerful and generous Californian Zinfandel, where rich fruit combines with a velvety and warm texture.
Hahn - Chardonnay 2022
A generous and balanced Californian Chardonnay, where coastal freshness meets rich fruit.
Giannikos Winery - Pegasus 2022
A Greek red from the Peloponnese, combining mature fruit, freshness, and elegant structure.
Giacomo Fenocchio - Dolcetto 2023
A pure and delicious Dolcetto from the Langhe, combining crisp fruit, freshness, and immediate drinkability.
Giacomo Fenocchio - Anima Arancio NV
A Piedmontese orange wine with character, combining freshness, a fine tannic structure, and a complex aromatic profile.
Fabio Gea - Green Palma 2020
A Piedmontese red with character, combining freshness, fruit, and finesse in a slender structure.
Errázuriz - Kai 2019
A high-precision Chilean Carmenère, where the depth of fruit meets the elegance of the Andes.
Errázuriz - Don Maximiano 2020
A big Chilean red from the Aconcagua Valley, combining depth, finesse, and remarkable length.
Errázuriz - Aconcagua Costa pinot noir 2022
A Chilean coastal Pinot Noir combining maritime freshness, aromatic finesse, and elegance on the palate.
Errázuriz - Aconcagua Costa Chardonnay 2022
A precise and saline Chilean coastal Chardonnay, where ocean freshness meets beautiful aromatic depth.
De Martino - Vigno 2021
A Chilean old-vine Carignan, combining freshness, depth, and remarkable energy.
De Martino - Viejas Tinajas 2021
A pure and digestible Chilean Cinsault, aged in amphorae, highlighting the freshness and authenticity of the Itata Valley.
De Martino - Las Olvidadas 2021
A Chilean red from old vines that combines freshness, finesse, and the authenticity of Itata's forgotten grape varieties.
De Alcohuaz - GRUS 2020
A Chilean high-altitude red with vibrant freshness, where Andean power meets the elegance of great granitic terroirs.
Cristom - Paul Gerrie 2021
A precise and elegant Pinot Noir from Eola-Amity Hills, combining freshness, aromatic depth, and a silky texture.
Cristom - Mt Jefferson 2021
A precise and vibrant Oregon Pinot Noir, where the coolness of the climate marries with a silky and deep texture.
Cristom - Marjorie 2021
A Pinot Noir from an iconic parcel in the Eola-Amity Hills, combining aromatic finesse and elegant structure.
Cristom - Louise Vineyard 2021
A volcanic hillside Pinot Noir combining aromatic finesse, freshness, and textural depth.
Cristom - Jessie 2019
A Pinot Noir from Eola-Amity Hills combining aromatic depth, freshness, and textural precision.
Cristom - Estate Syrah 2014
A high-altitude Syrah with a fresh and spicy style, combining fruit depth with elegant texture.
De Alcohuaz - Tococo 2020
A high-altitude red with a pure and vibrant profile, where Andean freshness meets the depth of País.
Which wine for which white meat and sauce?
Here, the sauce matters more than the meat. Find your recipe and let us guide you.
| Dish | Wines to choose | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Roast chicken free-range chicken, guinea fowl, capon | Pinot Noir, Burgundy Chardonnay | Golden skin and roasting juices love red fruit as much as the roundness of Chardonnay. |
| Blanquette de veau blanquette, chicken in cream sauce | Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc | Cream calls for a full-bodied white, and the liveliness of Chenin brings lightness to the sauce. |
| Roast pork roast, pork tenderloin with prunes | Riesling, Pinot Noir, light Grenache | Mild, slightly sweet meat goes well with fruit and freshness. |
| Veal escalope piccata with lemon, saltimbocca | Falanghina, lively Italian white | Lemon and sage find an echo in a saline, crisp white. |
| Poultry with morels chicken with morels, chicken supreme with vin jaune | Barrel-aged Chardonnay, dry Tokaji Furmint | Forest floor notes answer the oak and richness of the white. |
| Spiced chicken chicken tikka, yakitori, lemongrass chicken | Riesling, Torrontés, sake | Floral aromas and freshness soothe the spices and go with sweet and savoury sauces. |
| Ribs and glazed pork barbecue ribs, caramel pork | Zinfandel, fruity Syrah | A sweet glaze loves a generous red with ripe fruit and soft tannins. |
With the same dish, a white highlights the tenderness of the meat, while a light red brings out the cooking juices.
Pinot Noir, the bridge between white and red
Pinot Noir is the most versatile red for white meat. Its fine tannins and cherry fruit go as well with a roast chicken as with a pork tenderloin, and it is served slightly cool, at around 14 °C. In Burgundy it gains forest floor notes; in New Zealand or California it offers brighter fruit that pleases the whole table.
For white wine, look to South Africa. Cape Chenin Blanc combines the roundness of a sun-ripened wine with vibrant acidity, ideal with a cream sauce. For an escalope with lemon, the Falanghina from Vesevo, in Campania, brings citrus notes and a saline finish. And for poultry with morels, a barrel-aged Chardonnay remains a classic that is hard to beat.
Three pairings to try
Sunday roast chicken and Pinot Noir. The cooking juices and red fruit make a comforting duo.
Blanquette and Cape Chenin. The tension of Chenin balances the richness of the sauce.
Yakitori and sake. A shared umami note, for a surprisingly precise pairing.
The Wine Wanderer Team
Your questions about wine and white meat
What wine goes with roast chicken?
With a roast chicken, serve a light Pinot Noir or a full-bodied Chardonnay. The red goes with the crispy skin and the juices, the white highlights the tender meat. A fruity Grenache also suits poultry with herbes de Provence. Find all our advice in the guide what wine goes with roast chicken.
White or red wine with white meat?
Both work with white meat: it all depends on the sauce. A cream or butter recipe calls for a round white such as Chardonnay; a roast with its juices or grilled poultry happily takes a light, low-tannin red such as Pinot Noir. A rosé with character is also a lovely summer option.
What wine goes with blanquette de veau?
For a blanquette de veau, choose a full-bodied, fresh white: Burgundy Chardonnay or South African Chenin Blanc. The cream and lemon in the sauce call for both roundness and liveliness. We go into the best pairings in our article on blanquette de veau.
What wine goes with roast pork?
With roast pork, serve an off-dry Riesling or a fruity red such as Pinot Noir. The mild meat of pork loves fruit and freshness. For a pork tenderloin with prunes, a generous Grenache brings a candied note that extends the garnish.
What red wine goes with white meat?
With white meat, choose a light red with supple tannins: Pinot Noir, Gamay, Cinsault or a lightly extracted Grenache. Served at around 14 °C, these wines go with poultry, veal and pork while respecting their delicacy. The Rouge Cinsault from Dorrance, in South Africa, is a fine example of this style.
At what temperature should wine be served with white meat?
Serve a full-bodied white between 11 and 13 °C and a light red at around 14 °C. A Chardonnay that is too cold loses its aromas, while a slightly chilled Pinot Noir gains brightness. Take whites out of the fridge twenty minutes before serving.