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.
Colmant Cap Classique - Brut Reserve
A precise and elegant Cap Classique from Franschhoek, combining freshness, fine bubbles and aromatic complexity.
Chamisal - SLO Pinot Noir 2021
A precise and silky coastal Pinot Noir, where maritime freshness meets generous aromatics.
Chamisal - SLO Chardonnay 2021
A coastal Chardonnay from San Luis Obispo, combining maritime freshness, vibrant fruit and subtle oak.
Bouchard Finlayson - Crocodile's Lair Chardonnay 2023
A South African chardonnay from a cool climate, precise and elegant, where the purity of the fruit meets the finesse of the wood.
Bouchard Finlayson - Missionvale Chardonnay 2022
A precise and elegant South African coastal Chardonnay, where maritime freshness meets the richness of controlled aging.
Beeslaar - Beeslaar Pinotage 2021
A deep and structured Pinotage that accurately reveals the elegance of Simonsberg-Stellenbosch.
Beaumont Family Wines - Jackal's River Pinotage 2021
A Pinotage from Bot River that is both precise and delicious, where maritime freshness meets a full and spicy texture.
Beaumont Family Wines - New Baby 2023
A precise and saline South African coastal white wine, where maritime freshness meets a lovely fruitiness.
Beaumont Family Wines - Far Side Mourvèdre 2021
A Mourvèdre from Bot River that is deep, spicy and remarkably balanced.
Beaumont Family Wines - Hope Marguerite Chenin Blanc 2023
A precise and saline South African Chenin Blanc, where maritime freshness meets the depth of the old vineyard.
Archery Summit - Dundee Hills Chardonnay 2021
A Chardonnay from Dundee Hills that combines freshness, precision and elegance, carried by the finesse of Oregon's volcanic soils.
Archery Summit - Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2021
A precise and silky Pinot Noir from Dundee Hills, where the purity of the fruit meets the elegance of the volcanic terroir.
Archery Summit - Vireton Pinot Noir 2021
A precise and harmonious Oregon Pinot Noir, where the freshness of the fruit meets a silky and elegant texture.
Viu Manent - Estate Reserva Chardonnay 2024
A precise and fresh Chilean Chardonnay, which highlights the luminous character of the Colchagua Valley.
Viu Manent - Estate Reserva Carmenère 2022
An approachable and expressive Carmenère from Colchagua, combining ripe fruit, sweet spices and a supple mouthfeel.
Vasse Felix - Premier Chardonnay 2022
A precise and elegant Australian maritime Chardonnay, where freshness, finesse and complexity are harmoniously balanced.
Vasse Felix - Filius Chardonnay 2021
A precise and energetic Australian Chardonnay, where freshness meets a subtle touch of oak.
Ten Minutes by Tractor - Estate Chardonnay 2021
A precise and saline maritime Australian Chardonnay, where freshness meets a beautiful woody complexity.
Ten Minutes by Tractor - Up the Hill Pinot Noir 2021
A precise and vibrant high-altitude Pinot Noir, which finely expresses the freshness and elegance of the Mornington peninsula.
Ten Minutes by Tractor - Judd Pinot Noir 2021
A cool-climate Pinot Noir combining aromatic precision, silky texture and depth of terroir from the Mornington peninsula.
Ten Minutes by Tractor - Coolart Road Pinot Noir 2021
A precise and refined Australian Pinot Noir, where coastal freshness meets the elegance of the Mornington terroir.
Ten Minutes by Tractor - Down the Hill Pinot Noir 2021
A Pinot Noir from a cool climate, precise and vibrant, which combines elegance of fruit and finesse of tannins.
Ten Minutes by Tractor - 10X Pinot Noir 2022
An Australian Pinot Noir from a cool climate, precise and balanced, which combines aromatic finesse and freshness on the palate.
Ten Minutes by Tractor - 10X Chardonnay 2022
An Australian Chardonnay from a cool climate, precise and saline, where the finesse of the fruit meets a beautiful depth of texture.
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.