What wine goes with vegetarian food? A wine merchant's guide
483 wines to serve with a vegetarian dishWith a vegetarian dish, choose the wine according to the main ingredient: a Pinot Noir or a Nebbiolo for mushrooms and pulses, a Chardonnay or a Chenin Blanc for creamy dishes and gratins. The sauce and cooking method guide the pairing far more than the protein.
For green, tangy cooking, go for a Riesling or a Grüner Veltliner. Japanese-inspired dishes, grilled tofu or vegetable tempura, find a subtle partner in sake. Our selection brings together wines from Italy, New Zealand, South Africa and Portugal.
Moric - Blaufränkisch 2023
For Pinot Noir lovers, Blaufränkisch is an absolute must-try!
Etchart - Torrontés 2024
High altitude grape variety that grows only in Argentina, exuberant with fruit and freshness!
Matías Riccitelli - Old Vine From Patagonia Bastardo 2024
A micro-production from Riccitelli, worked on finesse and elegance.
Revancha - Chenin Primera Revancha 2024
Intense and expressive of its terroir, this Chenin blanc from Argentina will surprise you!
Undurraga - Lazo Chardonnay 2025
An exotic, charming and easy-drinking Chardonnay!
Cousiño Macul - Chardonnay 2025
A Chardonnay from one of the oldest estates in Chile combining roundness, freshness and expression.
Barone di Villagrande - Etna Bianco 2024
An organic white wine from the volcanic soils of Etna, of rare elegance!
Crystallum - Clay Shales Chardonnay 2024
A single-plot Chardonnay that has the class of great Burgundies
Baettig - Los Parientes Pinot Noir 2023
A Pinot Noir from one of the southernmost regions of Chile
Alheit Vineyards - Cartology 2023
A high-class, elegant and distinguished white wine.
Fantini - Pinot Grigio 2024
A fresh and delicious Pinot Grigio that will delight your aperitifs!
Escarpment - Pahi Pinot Noir 2022
A single-plot Pinot Noir, silky and deep, born on the gravels of Te Muna Road.
Rafael Palacios - Louro 2024
A wonderfully crafted expression of the Godello grape: ripe, elegant, balanced and refreshing.
Vassilis Vaîmakis - Mater Natura Muscat d'Alexandrie 2021
A white wine from the volcanic island of Limnos with a saline and mineral character
Lantides - Little Ark White 2019
A fine and refreshing wine from southern Greece, with exotic and mineral notes
Bodegas Tobia - Daimon White Seleccion 2018
A complex, round and delicious Rioja white that offers you a journey full of flavors.
Koehler Ruprecht Saumagen - Spätburgunder Trocken 2020
A delicious and nervous German Pinot Noir, with notes of forest fruits
Schieferkopf - Silvaner Trocken 2018
A wine from the Franken region, birthplace of the Sylvaner grape variety
Matetic & Guillaume Letang - Sierra Grande Pinot Noir 2020
A delicate and elegant Pinot Noir with flavors of wild ripe fruit
Giribaldi - Barbera Alma 2019
A delicious and juicy red wine made from Barbera, an astonishing grape variety!
Ferraris - "Sensazione" Viognier 2021
A Viognier from Piedmont, focused on freshness and elegance
Alheit Vineyards - Nautical Dawn 2023
A haute-couture Chenin blanc, embodying elegance and complexity
Which wine for which vegetarian dish?
Identify the main element on the plate: it points to the right colour and the right grape variety.
| Dish | Wines to choose | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Mushroom risotto cep risotto, orzotto | Fine red: Pinot Noir, Langhe Nebbiolo | Forest floor notes answer the mushrooms, and acidity lightens the creaminess of the rice. |
| Vegetable gratin and lasagne gratin dauphinois, spinach lasagne | Round white: Chardonnay, Sémillon | The buttery texture of the wine embraces the béchamel and the grilled cheese topping. |
| Vegetable curry and dal red lentil dal, chickpea curry | Aromatic white: Riesling, Viognier | The fruit and freshness of the wine soothe the spices and highlight the coconut milk. |
| Bean and pulse dishes red bean chilli, black bean burger | Generous red: Malbec, Montepulciano | Ripe tannins and dark fruit answer the smoky, earthy flavours. |
| Vegetable tart and quiche leek quiche, thin tomato tart | Lively white: Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner | Clean acidity cuts through the shortcrust pastry and refreshes the egg filling. |
| Tofu, tempura and Japanese cuisine grilled tofu, vegetable tempura, miso ramen | Sake or dry Riesling | The umami of sake extends the soy sauce, while Riesling brings a lemony note. |
| Pasta and Italian cuisine pasta with pesto, aubergine parmigiana | Italian white or light red: Arneis, Falanghina, Sangiovese | Basil and tomato find an echo in these floral, lively wines. |
A very herbaceous or tangy dish (lemon, capers, raw tomato) calls for the freshest wine in your selection.
The sauce dictates the pairing
Well-made vegetarian cooking often offers more nuance than a meat dish: creamy textures, earthy notes, the acidity of vegetables, the umami of mushrooms or miso. Our advice: identify the sauce and the cooking method, then choose the grape variety. Pinot Noir remains our most versatile ally, especially those from New Zealand, thanks to their fine tannins and delicate fruit.
For creamy dishes, a Chardonnay or a Portuguese white such as the Branco from Quinta Das Maias brings roundness and tension. The Ansi Langhe Arneis from 460 Casina Bric, floral and saline, enhances an asparagus risotto. And for a chickpea dish or a plate of roasted vegetables, the Montepulciano from Jasci offers generous fruit that holds its own against sweet spices.
Three unexpected pairings
Pairing 1. Cep risotto and Nebbiolo, for a match full of depth.
Pairing 2. Miso-roasted aubergine and sake, a remarkably gentle umami duo.
Pairing 3. Red lentil dal and off-dry Riesling, freshness and spice in balance.
The Wine Wanderer Team
Your questions about wine and vegetarian food
What red wine goes with a vegetarian dish?
Pinot Noir is the most versatile red with a vegetarian dish: fine tannins, red fruit, forest floor notes. It goes with mushrooms, lentils and roasted vegetables. For a richer dish, bean chilli or parmigiana, prefer a fleshier red such as a Malbec or a Montepulciano. Nebbiolo suits recipes with ceps or truffle.
White or red wine with a vegetarian dish?
The choice depends on the sauce: white for creamy, lemony or herbaceous dishes, red for earthy, smoky or tomato-based dishes. A gratin or a quiche calls for a Chardonnay or a Chenin Blanc. A mushroom risotto or a red bean chilli goes better with a supple red.
What wine goes with mushroom risotto?
A Pinot Noir or a Nebbiolo is an ideal match for a mushroom risotto. Their forest floor aromas extend the flavour of the ceps and their acidity lightens the creaminess of the Parmesan. For white, a lightly oaked Chardonnay also works very well, especially if the risotto is finished with butter.
What wine goes with vegetable curry?
A fresh, aromatic white, such as an off-dry Riesling or a Viognier, is the best ally of a vegetable curry. Their fruit soothes the heat and their freshness balances the coconut milk. For a spicier red curry, see our selection of wines for spicy dishes.
What wine goes with a vegetarian fondue or raclette?
A dry, lively white is the classic pairing for fondue or raclette, vegetarian versions included. A Chenin Blanc, a Grüner Veltliner or a Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the richness of the melted cheese and refreshes the palate. Find our detailed advice in the guide wine and Savoyard fondue.
Does sake go with vegetarian food?
Yes, sake goes very well with vegetarian food, especially dishes rich in umami: tofu, miso, shiitake, seaweed or vegetable tempura. Its soft texture and discreet acidity respect delicate flavours. Serve it chilled, at around 10 °C, with a broth or a plate of vegetables grilled with soy.