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.
Vigneti del Vulture - Pipoli Rosato Basilicata 2025
A rosé made from Aglianico, elegant, fruity and delicious
Diemersfontein - Thokozani Shiraz 2023
A full and voluptuous red wine with flavors of black fruits and spices
Cantina Cellaro - Lumà Grillo 2025
A Sicilian wine with delicate flavors of Grillo, a local white grape variety
Cono Sur - Bicicleta Carménère 2023
A delicious and velvety Carménère which presents aromas of red fruits perfectly combined with spicy notes.
460 Casina Bric - Mesdì Rosso
A beautiful expression of Nebbiolo, the flagship grape variety of Piedmont
Niepoort - Vinho Verde Dócil 2025
A devilishly refreshing white wine from the North of Portugal with a beautiful minerality!
Gaia - Notios White 2025
The sun of Greece united in this vintage full of freshness!
Zoumberakis - Vidiano Nature 2025
A fresh and tasty wine made from Vidiano, a great white grape variety from Crete
Niepoort - Drink Me 2022
A typical vintage from the Douro Valley by Dirk Niepoort!
Castellucci Miano - Nero d'Avola 2024
Magnificent Nero d'Avola, all round and full of fruit. Buonissimo!
D'Arenberg - The Stump Jump White Blend 2025
A superb blend of 4 white grape varieties which results in an aromatic vintage full of freshness
Matetic & Guillaume Letang - Las Cruces Sauvignon Blanc 2024
A crisp and intense Sauvignon Blanc, from the cool terroirs of Chile
460 Casina Bric - Nebbiolo d'Alba Spumante "Cuvée 970" Brut Rosé 2021
A fine and elegant sparkling wine based on Nebbiolo
J.Bouchon Family Wines - Block Series Carmenère 2020
An authentic, complex and elegant Carmenère
Quinta do Vallado - Tinto 2023
A red wine from the Douro, synonymous with a perfect balance between tradition and modernity
Vigneti del Vulture - Pipoli Aglianico del Vulture 2024
A 100% Aglianico wine: an ancient grape variety from the Basilicata region
Fantini - Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2024
A dense, fruity and balanced wine, with a marked typicality of Abruzzo
D'Arenberg - The Olive Grove 2023
A beautiful chardonnay with a balanced and intense structure that delights and seduces the taste buds!
Atamisque - Serbal Pinot Noir 2025
A wine far from the powerful reds we know from Argentina: supple, charming, attractive and beautifully lively.
Sutto - Prosecco Brut Rosé Millésimé 2021
A vintage rosé Prosecco made from Pinot noir and Glera
Groot Constantia - Lady of Abundance 2021
An astonishing blend with flavors of black fruits and spices
Birichino - Bechthold Cinsault 2023
A red with captivating aromas from old Cinsault vines over 130 years old!
Wildeberg & JD Rossouw - The Capeography Sauvignon Blanc 2025
A clean and refreshing Sauvignon from the Elgin region
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.