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.
Birichino - Saint Georges Pinot Noir 2023
A superb Californian Pinot noir, made with finesse, freshness and deliciousness
Matías Riccitelli - Old Vine From Patagonia Sémillon 2024
A great Sémillon from Patagonia!
Vigneti Canosini - Tufarello Nero di Troia 2023
Nero di Troia, an indigenous grape variety from northern Puglia
Palacios Remondo - Plácet Valtomelloso 2018
A high-class white wine, made by master Álvaro Palacios
Groot Constantia - Gouverneurs Reserve Red 2019
A sophisticated Bordeaux blend with complexity worthy of a great vintage
Groot Constantia - Gouverneurs Reserve White 2024
The great white vintage from the Groot Constantia estate!
Groot Constantia - Shiraz 2021
A magnificent Syrah with a fine and elegant structure
Alheit Vineyards - Hemelrand Vine Garden 2024
An extraordinary white wine, made using the most natural extraction of the fruit.
Shafer - Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch 2023
A Chardonnay of rare elegance and captivating complexity...
Fantini - Pinot Grigio 2024
A fresh and delicious Pinot Grigio that will delight your aperitifs!
San Marzano - Negroamaro Puglia 2024
A sublime Negroamaro, an indigenous grape variety from Puglia.
Renzo Masi - Chianti Riserva 2022
A magnificent Chianti with nuances of spices and wild fruits.
Renzo Masi - Chianti 2024
A Chianti with charming and refined aromas.
Matías Riccitelli - Old Vine From Patagonia Bastardo 2024
A micro-production from Riccitelli, worked on finesse and elegance.
Alheit Vineyards - Nautical Dawn 2023
A haute-couture Chenin blanc, embodying elegance and complexity
Groot Constantia - Chardonnay 2021
A great Chardonnay regularly rewarded by international competitions
Château de Dereszla - Tokaji Furmint sec 2019
A dry white wine typical of Hungary, lively and mineral
Emiliana - Ecobalance Viognier 2019
A biodynamic Viognier, made with pure respect for the environment
Joostenberg - Family Red 2018
A vintage made with finesse, with smoky and spicy nuances
Joostenberg - Chenin Blanc 2019
A South African Chenin blanc with notes of white fruit and the chalky character typical of the Paarl vineyards
Stellenrust - Kleine Rust White 2020
A white full of freshness with intense notes of tropical fruits.
Alheit Vineyards - Cartology 2019
A high-class, elegant and distinguished white wine.
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.