What wine for aperitifs? Our pairings for nibbles and boards
97 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.
Blandy's - Madère Malmsey 5 ans
A rich, full and spicy fortified Madeira wine from one of the most historic houses on the island.
Kamanterena - Xynisteri Dry 2024
Xynisteri, Cyprus's emblematic white grape, in a fresh, fruity version from the hills of Paphos.
Hartenberg - Chardonnay 2022
A creamy Chardonnay from Stellenbosch, aged ten months in French barrels, between peach and toasted brioche.
Barbeito - Tinta Negra 3 ans (dry)
A dry Madeira from Tinta Negra, lively and saline, between toasted almond, dried fruit and light smoke.
Monte Santoccio - Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2020
A classic Amarone from Fumane, dried on racks until January, dense, velvety and balanced.
Wildeberg & JD Rossouw - The Capeography Sauvignon Blanc 2025
A clean and refreshing Sauvignon from the Elgin region
Quinta do Crasto - Flor de Crasto Rouge 2021
A beautiful blend from the Douro Valley, with intense flavors of black fruits
Valenciso - Tinto Reserva 2014
A dense, deep and complex Rioja crafted with elegance
Nik Weis - Urban Riesling 2019
A pure and crisp Riesling from the Moselle Valley
Lantides - Little Ark White 2019
A fine and refreshing wine from southern Greece, with exotic and mineral notes
Schieferkopf - Silvaner Trocken 2018
A wine from the Franken region, birthplace of the Sylvaner grape variety
Giribaldi - Barbera Alma 2019
A delicious and juicy red wine made from Barbera, an astonishing grape variety!
Joostenberg - Family Red 2018
A vintage made with finesse, with smoky and spicy nuances
La Famille K - Le Père Blanc 2018
Riebeek Cellars & Ryno Booysen - Percheron Blanc 2021
A vibrant and aromatic white wine for immediate pleasure
Stellenrust - Kleine Rust White 2020
A white full of freshness with intense notes of tropical fruits.
Joostenberg - Chenin Blanc 2019
A South African Chenin blanc with notes of white fruit and the chalky character typical of the Paarl vineyards
Paso Primero - Paso Primero Blanco 2019
A lovely white wine from Northern Spain, from vineyards at the foot of the Pyrenees
Karl Steininger - Grüner Veltliner «Grand Grü» Reserve 2018
A round, fine and complex white with intense flavors of yellow fruits
Alfredo Maestro Tejero - A Dos Tiempos 2017
A timeless biodynamic wine made only with grapes, vines and healthy soils.
Emiliana - Ecobalance Viognier 2019
A biodynamic Viognier, made with pure respect for the environment
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.