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.
Au Bon Climat - Santa Barbara Chardonnay 2023
A cool-climate Californian Chardonnay, combining controlled richness, maritime freshness and woody elegance.
Kusuda - Pinot Noir 2023
A highly precise Pinot Noir from Martinborough, combining purity of fruit, freshness and fine texture.
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 - Coolart Road Pinot Noir 2021
A precise and refined Australian Pinot Noir, where coastal freshness meets the elegance of the Mornington terroir.
Yarra Yering - Chardonnay 2021
An Australian Chardonnay of great precision, where freshness, mineral tension and elegance come together to reveal all the finesse of the Yarra Valley's cool terroirs.
Chappaz - Completer 2023
A white wine from the Valais terroir with a strong character, where the ripeness of the fruit meets a precise mineral tension.
Au Bon Climat - Sanford & Benedict Chardonnay 2022
A cool-climate Chardonnay combining depth, tension, and precision, emblematic of the Sanford & Benedict coastal vineyard.
Simcic Marjan - Cru Selection Ribolla 2023
A Ribolla of terroir, precise and saline, which finely expresses the mineral freshness of the Brda hills.
Simcic Marjan - Opoka Cru Chardonnay 2017
A great Slovenian Chardonnay of terroir, ample and taut, carried by the minerality of the opoka.
Sakehitosuji - Saké Junmaishu
A precise and harmonious Junmaishu from Okayama, where the purity of the rice meets a silky and umami texture.
Ott Estate - Ried Spiegel Feuersbrunn 2021
A terroir-driven Grüner Veltliner, precise and saline, which finely expresses the loess depth of the Ried Spiegel.
Zaku - Saké Monad
A precise and crystalline Junmai Ginjo, where the purity of the rice meets a delicately fruity freshness.
Ten Minutes by Tractor - Estate Chardonnay 2021
A precise and saline maritime Australian Chardonnay, where freshness meets a beautiful woody complexity.
Huber - Berg Erste Lage Grüner Veltliner 2021
A terroir-driven Grüner Veltliner, precise and saline, which highlights the mineral elegance of the Kamptal.
Michelini i Mufatto - MA Doña Blanca 2022
A white wine from Bierzo that is both saline and energetic, revealing the finesse of the Doña Blanca grape variety on schist soils.
Jasci - Montepulciano sans soufre 2023
A concentrate of red fruits and sweet spices in this cuvée dedicated to pleasure.
Vesevo - Beneventano Falanghina 2023
A cuvée made from Falanghina, an indigenous grape variety from Campania
Alheit Vineyards - Fire by Night 2024
A high-class Chenin blanc from old Swartland vines
Delicato Wines & Alex Gittins - Shadow Point Pinot Noir 2019
A delicious and charming Pinot Noir from the Monterey Valley
Gianni Gagliardo - Roero Arneis 2022
Roero Arneis in its straight-lined style: pear, almond and a clean finish.
Campagnola - Piuma Valpolicella Ripasso 2019
A round and charming Valpolicella Ripasso
Goldeneye - Confluence Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018
A world-class Pinot Noir from California's northernmost vineyards
Matetic & Guillaume Letang - Sierra Grande Sauvignon Blanc 2021
A Sauvignon Blanc expressing the vibrant fruit of Chile's Central Valley combined with the elegance of its mountain terroir.
Gritsch - Grüner Veltliner cru Setzberg 2017
An elegant white with a perfect balance between tension and minerality
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.