What wine goes with white meat? Chardonnay, Chenin or Pinot Noir
935 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.
Felton Road - Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2024
A precise and harmonious Pinot Noir from Bannockburn, where the purity of the fruit meets the elegance of the Central Otago terroir.
Felton Road - Block 2 Chardonnay 2024
A Chardonnay with a precise and saline terroir, where the purity of the fruit meets the depth of Bannockburn.
Felton Road - Bannockburn Chardonnay 2024
A precise and vibrant Chardonnay from Bannockburn, where the purity of the fruit meets a chiseled minerality.
Cullen - Diana Madeline 2022
A Margaret River cabernet of great precision, combining freshness, finesse and aromatic depth.
Cullen - Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2022
A biodynamic cabernet-merlot from Margaret River, precise, elegant and carried by maritime freshness.
Cullen - Kevin John Chardonnay 2023
A precise and saline biodynamic Chardonnay from Margaret River, where the purity of the fruit meets an elegant woody complexity.
Storm - Ignis Pinot Noir 2023
A precise and elegant South African Pinot Noir, carried by the maritime freshness and depth of its terroir in Hemel-en-Aarde.
Vino pH - Palomino Piekenierskloof 2022
A high-altitude South African palomino, saline and precise, which subtly reveals the unique character of Piekenierskloof.
Damascene - Syrah Swartland 2022
A precise and profound Swartland Syrah, where the freshness of the terroir enhances the concentration of the fruit.
Damascene - Syrah Ceres Plateau 2022
A precise and fresh high-altitude South African Syrah that combines aromatic intensity with a fine texture.
Damascene - Semillon 2022
A precise and saline South African Semillon, where freshness meets the depth of the coastal terroir.
Damascene - Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch 2022
A precise and vibrant Chenin Blanc from Stellenbosch, where the richness of the fruit meets a saline freshness and a beautiful depth of terroir.
Damascene - Chenin Blanc Swartland 2022
A precise and saline Chenin Blanc from old vines in Swartland, where freshness meets remarkable depth.
Simcic Marjan - Opoka Cru Chardonnay 2017
A great Slovenian Chardonnay of terroir, ample and taut, carried by the minerality of the opoka.
Simcic Marjan - Opoka Cru Sauvignon Vert 2019
A Sauvignon Vert of the terroir, ample and saline, which precisely expresses the minerality of the opoka of Goriška Brda.
Simcic Marjan - Cru Selection Ribolla 2023
A Ribolla of terroir, precise and saline, which finely expresses the mineral freshness of the Brda hills.
Antonio Madeira - Os Granitos 2021
A slender and precise red from Dão, carried by the energy of granite and the freshness of indigenous grape varieties.
Antonio Madeira - A Centeneria 2022
A high-altitude Dão, precise and vibrant, which finely expresses the granitic depth of the Serra da Estrela.
Antonio Madeira - A Palheira 2021
A high-altitude red wine from Dão, precise and vibrant, where granite freshness meets the depth of old vines.
Antonio Madeira - Vinhas Velhas Branco 2023
A white wine from old vines in the Dão, chiseled and saline, which precisely expresses the granitic freshness of the Serra da Estrela.
Cantine Ermes - Masseria delle Stelle Primitivo 2025
A generous and velvety Primitivo from Puglia, which combines ripe fruit, sweet spices and Mediterranean warmth.
Benanti - Contrada Caldera Sottana Etna Rosso 2022
A high-altitude Etna Rosso, precise and vibrant, where the finesse of Nerello Mascalese meets the mineral energy of the volcano.
Benanti - Contrada Cavaliere Etna Rosso 2024
A high altitude Etna Rosso, precise and vibrant, where the finesse of the Nerello Mascalese meets the mineral energy of the volcano.
Benanti - Nerello Cappuccio Terre Sicilienne 2020
A precise and digestible Nerello Cappuccio from Etna, where volcanic freshness meets the elegance of red fruits.
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.