What wine for aperitifs? Our pairings for nibbles and boards
331 wines to serve as an aperitifFor an aperitif, serve a fresh, light wine: bubbles such as a Prosecco, a lively white (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Furmint) or a fruity red served chilled, such as a Grenache or a young Tempranillo. The aperitif opens the meal: the wine awakens the palate and goes with the nibbles.
Match it with what you serve: bubbles for gougères and crisps, a mineral white for oysters and fresh cheese, a red from Spain or Italy for charcuterie and tapas. Find our ideas in the guide wine and apéro dînatoire.
The Wine People - Miopasso Primitivo 2023
A generous and indulgent Primitivo from Puglia, combining ripe fruit and spices in a velvety texture.
La Spinetta - Il Nero di Casanova 2021
A precise and juicy Tuscan Sangiovese, combining freshness, fine tannins, and aromatic intensity.
Gómez Cruzado - El Predilecto 2022
A juicy and precise Rioja, which elegantly combines freshness, fruit and drinkability.
Castello di Volpaia - Citto IGT Toscana 2023
An approachable and delicious Tuscan red, designed for immediate enjoyment at the table.
Giacomo Fenocchio - Dolcetto 2023
A pure and delicious Dolcetto from the Langhe, combining crisp fruit, freshness, and immediate drinkability.
De Martino - Las Olvidadas 2021
A Chilean red from old vines that combines freshness, finesse, and the authenticity of Itata's forgotten grape varieties.
Hammeken Cellars - El Paso del Lazo Rosé 2024
A fresh and delicious Spanish rosé, driven by fruit and conviviality.
Benanti - Nerello Cappuccio Terre Sicilienne 2020
A precise and digestible Nerello Cappuccio from Etna, where volcanic freshness meets the elegance of red fruits.
Holdvölgy - Signature 2007
A botrytized wine combining density, brilliance and finesse, the signature of the precise know-how of the Holdvölgy estate
Alessandria - Barbera d'Alba 2024
A precise and vibrant Barbera d'Alba, combining intense fruit, freshness and delicious drinkability.
La Rioja Alta - Finca San Martin Crianza 2022
A precise and delicious Rioja de finca, where the freshness of Tempranillo meets the elegance of wood.
Bodegas Olivares - Tinto 2022
A generous and spicy Spanish red, which combines the lusciousness of the fruit and the freshness of the Jumilla terroir.
Innocent Bystander - Syrah 2019
A juicy and spicy Australian Syrah, carried by the freshness of the Yarra Valley.
Juan Carlos Sancha - Ad Libitum tinto 2021
A precise and fresh Rioja Alta red, which highlights the uniqueness of the Maturana Tinta on a high-altitude terroir.
Masintin - Cinsault Los Castanos 2020
A juicy and digestible Chilean Cinsault, carried by the freshness of Itata and old varietal vines.
Álvaro Palacios - Les Aubaguetes 2023
One of Álvaro Palacios' jewels, combining intensity, elegance and complexity.
Holdvölgy - Hold and Hollo Sweet 2019
A wine that illustrates the modernity and finesse of Hungarian sweet wines
Dominio del Challao - Angelita 2021
A Mediterranean Spanish red wine combining fruit, suppleness and freshness for a convivial tasting experience.
Dominio del Challao - Virna 2022
A rich and balanced Spanish red, where ripe fruit meets a supple and harmonious palate.
Tabalí - Talinay Pai Pinot Noir 2020
A Pinot Noir combining Burgundian finesse with the unique minerality of Limarí's terroirs
Tabalí - Talinay Pinot Noir 2021
A pure and mineral expression of Pinot Noir, planted on the coastal part of Chile
Charles de Fère - Crémant de Bourgogne Chardonnay Brut Grande Cuvée
A crémant made entirely from Chardonnay: white flowers, green apple, a fine, long mousse.
Domaine de la Roche Aiguë - Hautes-Côtes de Beaune La Dalignière Rouge 2023
Raspberry, cherry, forest floor: a Pinot Noir from the hills above Beaune, fine and easy-drinking.
Which wine for which appetiser?
What is on the board guides the pairing. Here are our pointers for the most popular nibbles.
| Dish | Wines to choose | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Charcuterie board saucisson, cured ham, chorizo | Light, fruity red: Tempranillo, Grenache, Montepulciano | Fruit and supple tannins answer the fat and salt of the charcuterie. |
| Cheese board young Comté, tomme, fresh goat's cheese | Dry white: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc | The acidity of the white refreshes the palate between bites of cheese. |
| Gougères, puff pastries and crisps gougères, cheese straws, artisan crisps | Bubbles: Prosecco, brut sparkling wine | Fine bubbles cleanse the palate of butter and salt. |
| Spanish tapas pan con tomate, croquetas, olives, pimientos de padrón | Spanish red or southern white: Tempranillo, Verdeca | These sun-drenched wines keep pace with olive oil, tomato and paprika. |
| Oysters and seafood oysters, prawns, fish rillettes | Mineral white: taut Chardonnay, dry Riesling, Furmint | The briny tension of the wine extends the taste of the sea. |
| Plant-based nibbles and dips hummus, tapenade, crunchy vegetables, guacamole | Fresh rosé or aromatic white: rosato from Puglia, Sauvignon Blanc | Freshness and herbaceous notes answer raw vegetables and sweet spices. |
| Sweet and savoury nibbles foie gras toasts, figs with goat's cheese, bacon-wrapped dates | Sweet wine: Tokaji, Moscato d'Asti, late harvest | The sweetness of the wine balances the salt and highlights the dried fruit notes. |
For an apéro dînatoire, choose the wine according to the main nibble: bubbles for puff pastries, a light red for charcuterie.
Freshness above all
At aperitif time, the palate is still fresh: our approach is to favour wines that are fresh, lively and light on the palate. Italy dominates our selection for good reason: the Prosecco from Sutto or Bresolin, the delicately sweet Moscato d'Asti "San Gròd" from Torelli, or the Verdeca from Vineka, a white from Puglia with citrus notes. These wines go lightly with the nibbles.
From Spain, a young Tempranillo served chilled is a wonderful match for ham, chorizo and croquetas. To surprise your guests, try a Furmint from Tokaj, such as the Tokaji Furmint Duck from Balassa: its liveliness and pear notes answer goat's cheeses and smoked fish bites. Finally, a rosato from Puglia, such as the Amai Susumaniello Rosato from San Marzano, adds a lovely touch of colour to a summer board.
Three pairings for your sharing boards
Pairing 1. Warm gougères and brut Prosecco, for bubbles that answer the cheese.
Pairing 2. Ibérico ham and Tempranillo served chilled, a Spanish duo all about fruit.
Pairing 3. Goat's cheese with figs and Moscato d'Asti, a delicate sweet and savoury contrast.
The Wine Wanderer Team
Your questions about wine and aperitifs
What white wine for an aperitif?
A dry, fresh, lively white is ideal for an aperitif: taut Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, dry Riesling or Furmint. These wines go with fresh cheeses, seafood and savoury nibbles. For a rounder touch, a white from Puglia such as Verdeca brings notes of citrus and white fruit. Serve it between 8 and 10 °C.
What red wine for an aperitif?
Choose a light, fruity red with supple tannins, served slightly chilled: young Tempranillo, Grenache, Pinot Noir or Montepulciano. It goes perfectly with charcuterie, tapas and olives. Explore our selection of light red wines to find the style you like.
Champagne, Prosecco or white wine as an aperitif?
The choice depends on the nibbles: bubbles excel with puff pastries, crisps and gougères, white wine with cheeses and seafood. Prosecco offers a fruity, floral style, Champagne more finesse and brioche notes. Both give the meal a festive start.
What wine for an apéro dînatoire?
For an apéro dînatoire, choose a versatile wine that can keep up with a variety of nibbles: a light red such as a Grenache or a Pinot Noir, or a dry, fruity white such as a Chardonnay. A rosé with character also makes an excellent compromise between charcuterie, vegetables and cheeses.
What wine goes with a charcuterie and cheese board?
A fruity, supple red, such as a Tempranillo or a Montepulciano, is an ideal match for a mixed board of charcuterie and cheese. Its light tannins respect the fat of the saucisson and the texture of hard cheeses. If the board features plenty of goat's cheese, prefer a lively white such as a Sauvignon Blanc.
At what temperature should wine be served as an aperitif?
Serve bubbles and whites between 6 and 10 °C, and light reds at around 14 °C. At aperitif time, a cool temperature brings out the fruit and liveliness of the wine. Take the red out of the fridge a quarter of an hour before serving so that it reaches the right temperature.