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.
Birichino - Saint Georges Pinot Noir 2022
A superb Californian Pinot noir, made with finesse, freshness and deliciousness
Pikes - Hills & Valleys Riesling 2025
A subtle and classy Riesling with citrus and white fruits.
Atamisque - Serbal Viognier 2024
A beautiful high-altitude Viognier full of freshness and deliciousness!
Niepoort - Drink Me Nat Cool (1L) 2022
1 liter of happiness in a bottle for this wine vinified in a pure and natural style.
Jasci - Trebbiano 2024
A textured and invigorating organic white with flavors of white fruits and yellow fruits!
San Marzano - Negroamaro Puglia 2024
A sublime Negroamaro, an indigenous grape variety from Puglia.
460 Casina Bric - Barolo 2018
An intense Barolo deeply imbued with its high altitude terroir
460 Casina Bric - Ansi Langhe Arneis 2023
A unique white wine made from Arneis, an indigenous white grape variety from Piedmont
Dog Point - Sauvignon Blanc 2022
A Sauvignon Blanc, precise, of great finesse and beautiful aromatic intensity.
Bodegas Tobia - Cuvée Blanco
A white from Rioja with exotic and spicy notes
Groot Constantia - Shiraz 2021
A magnificent Syrah with a fine and elegant structure
Barco Del Corneta - Cucú 2022
A white wine from northern Spain combining aromatic richness and minerality!
Quinta Das Maias - Tinto 2023
An organic red with character and typical of the Dão region
Bear Creek & Samantha Bailey - Rib Tickler Shiraz 2023
A suave and gourmet expression of Syrah
Dog Point - Chardonnay 2022
A Chardonnay full of class, thanks to its great complexity and creamy texture.
Cantine Ermes - Marchese Montefusco Nero d'Avola 2025
An impromptu aperitif? We look further and uncork this delightful Silica wine full of fruit and freshness!
Valdrinal - Crianza Tradicion 2021
A tasty Ribera del Duero with notes of forest fruits and oriental spices
Dog Point - Section 94 Sauvignon Blanc 2018
An exotic and spicy sauvignon blanc, vinified in oak barrels for 18 months
Cantina Cellaro - Usuela Nero d'Avola 2025
A red wine from Sicily with intense character and a marked personality.
L.A. Cetto - Chenin Blanc 2022
A beautiful expression of tropical aromas to delight your aperitif!
Listening Station - Chardonnay 2021
A Chardonnay made with the tension and freshness of the fruit
San Marzano - Tramari Rosé di Primitivo 2022
An elegant rosé made from Primitivo, a grape variety from the Puglia region
Simonsig - Chenin Blanc 2021
An intense and mineral Chenin blanc from Stellenbosch
Alamos - Chardonnay 2019
A lush, complex and convivial Chardonnay from high vineyards in Argentina
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.