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.
Olivier Guyot - Marsannay Rosé Fleur de Printemps 2022
Fleur de Printemps lives up to its name: strawberry and cherry on a lively, light palate.
Santa Rita - Secret Reserve Pinot Noir 2023
Cherry and raspberry, a Chilean Pinot Noir all in finesse, with no show of strength.
Santa Rita - 120 Reserva Especial Syrah 2022
Blackberry, pepper and smoke, a full-bodied Chilean Syrah without heaviness.
Santa Rita - 120 Reserva Especial Chardonnay 2022
Green apple and brioche, a creamy Chardonnay kept straight by its acidity.
Nicolas Jay - Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2017
Willamette in the glass: ripe cherry and rose, with velvety tannins.
Erath - Pinot Noir 2019
An honest, fruity Oregon Pinot, made for the everyday table.
Erath - Pinot Noir Estate Selection Willamette Valley 2019
Erath's single-plot selection, a silky, fragrant Oregon Pinot.
Doña Paula - Estate Chardonnay 2023
High-altitude Chardonnay from Mendoza, pear and brioche on a taut acidity.
Clos De La Paix - Pinot Noir 2022
Pinot Noir from the southern Cape, cherry and raspberry on a delicate structure.
Clos De La Paix - Chardonnay 2022
Chardonnay from the southern Cape, citrus and white flowers on a taut minerality.
Twomey - Merlot Napa Valley
Napa's velvety Merlot, cherry and chocolate, without the slightest rough edge.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars - Karia 2021
A Napa Chardonnay that plays on lemony freshness over a creamy texture.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars - Hands Of Time 2018
Stag's Leap's entry-level wine, supple and fruity, to open straight away.
Duckhorn - The Discussion 2018
Duckhorn's flagship: black fruit, cedar and tobacco in a blend built to last.
Diemersfontein - Carpe Diem Pinotage 2021
Top-of-the-range Pinotage from Wellington, roasted coffee and ripe plum, polished tannins.
Decoy - Zinfandel 2019
Blackberry, plum and black pepper: Sonoma Zinfandel in its most indulgent style.
Creation - Viognier 2024
Cool-climate Viognier, apricot and white flowers on an unctuous palate.
Creation - Pinot Noir 2024
Cool-climate Pinot Noir, cherry and raspberry on a silky texture.
Creation - Chenin Blanc Cool Climate 2022
A Chenin produced on the cool soils of the east coast of the Cape
Creation - Chardonnay Reserve 2021
A selection of the best plots in Hemel-en-Aarde: toasted oak, almond and freshness.
Creation - Chardonnay 2020
Chardonnay from Hemel-en-Aarde, green apple and brioche carried by a fine minerality.
Clos Henri Vineyard - Otira Sauvignon Blanc 2024
A single-parcel Sauvignon Blanc: ripe citrus and chiselled minerality, made for the table.
Santa Rita - 120 Reserva Especial Merlot 2019
Cherry, plum and cocoa: a round Merlot with silky tannins that is effortless to drink.
Columbia Crest - Merlot Grand Estate 2019
Cherry, plum and blackcurrant, a round Merlot perfumed with soft vanilla by the oak.
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.