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.
Tyrrell's - Winemakers Selection Vat 47 Chardonnay 2021
An iconic Chardonnay from the Hunter Valley, combining precision, freshness and aromatic depth.
Tyrrell's - Old Winery Shiraz 2022
A juicy and spicy Australian Shiraz, combining luscious fruit and a supple structure for immediate enjoyment.
Tyrrell's - Old Winery Chardonnay 2023
A fresh and balanced Australian Chardonnay, where the lusciousness of the fruit meets a beautiful tension.
Tyrrell's - Hunter Valley Chardonnay 2022
A precise and fresh Hunter Valley Chardonnay, where the elegance of the fruit meets the finesse of the oak.
Tyrrell's - Old Winery Verdelho 2022
A fresh and aromatic Australian Verdelho, combining fruity intensity and great drinkability.
Stark-Conde - The Field Blend 2023
A blend of Rhône and Portuguese grape varieties that combines freshness, texture and aromatic complexity.
Stark-Conde - Three Pines Syrah 2018
A high-altitude Syrah combining aromatic depth, freshness and elegance, emblematic of the Jonkershoek valley.
Seghesio Family Vineyards - Home Ranch Zinfandel 2021
A Zinfandel from the Russian River Valley that is both generous and structured, combining aromatic intensity and balance on the palate.
Seghesio Family Vineyards - Sonoma Chardonnay 2022
A Sonoma Chardonnay combining rich, flavorful fruitiness, freshness and aromatic precision.
Seghesio Family Vineyards - Old Vine Zinfandel 2021
A Zinfandel from old vines combining richness of fruit, spices and depth typical of the best terroirs of Sonoma.
Seghesio Family Vineyards - Cortina Zinfandel 2019
A Zinfandel from the Russian River Valley combining fruity intensity, freshness and spicy depth.
Sebestyen - Görögszo bikaver 2019
A Bikavér from Szekszárd that is both generous and balanced, which precisely expresses the spicy and fruity character of its terroir.
Sebestyen - Mozaik bikaver 2019
A precise and harmonious Bikavér from Szekszárd, where the freshness of the fruit meets delicate spices.
Pine Ridge - Chenin Blanc Viognier 2021
A lively and aromatic Californian white, where the freshness of Chenin Blanc meets the exuberance of Viognier.
Otronia - Block III & VI Chardonnay 2019
A high-latitude Patagonian Chardonnay, taut and precise, where extreme freshness meets a remarkable saline depth.
Otronia - Brut Nature Rosé
A sparkling Patagonian rosé of great freshness, where the precision of Pinot Noir meets the energy of the southern climate.
Otronia - Rugiente 45 Corte de Blancas 2019
A Patagonian white from an extreme climate, precise and vibrant, where southern freshness meets a beautiful aromatic complexity.
Masintin - Carignan Truquilemu 2020
A Chilean Carignan from Truquilemu that combines freshness, depth of fruit and a tasty structure.
Kanonkop Wine Estate - Estate Pinotage 2023
A deep and structured Pinotage that accurately expresses the personality of Simonsberg.
Kanonkop Wine Estate - Kadette Cape Blend 2024
A precise and generous Cape Blend, which marries the soul of Pinotage with the elegance of Bordeaux grape varieties.
Elephant Hill - Reserve Chardonnay 2016
A Chardonnay from Hawke's Bay combining precision, maritime freshness and elegant woody richness.
Dominio del Challao - Virna 2022
A rich and balanced Spanish red, where ripe fruit meets a supple and harmonious palate.
Dominio del Challao - Angelita 2021
A Mediterranean Spanish red wine combining fruit, suppleness and freshness for a convivial tasting experience.
Colmant Cap Classique - Blanc de Blanc
A classic pure Chardonnay from Cap, combining maritime freshness, fine bubbles and elegant brioche complexity.
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.