Pig is one of the most versatile proteins in the world of food. It’s a cross between red and white meat. A “nose-to-tail” philosophy suggests that each part of the pig can be transformed into a delicious dish.
If you want to pair wine with pork, a good rule of thumb is to look for a rich, full-bodied white wine or a juicy, fruit-forward red wine. These wines will go well with the mild sweetness of pork. But, just like with food, the type of wine will depend on how the dish is made and what spices and sauces are used to flavor it. This Wine and Pork Pairing Guide has some of our favorite pork recipes and the wines we think go best with them. It will help you choose the right bottle of wine for your feast.
Pork is a versatile meat that can be prepared in many ways, from tenderloins to ribs to chops. With so many options what alcohol pairs best with pork? The right drink pairing brings out the flavors of the dish and creates a harmonious tasting experience. Fortunately, pork’s versatility lends itself to a variety of alcohol pairings.
Consider the Cut and Preparation Method
The cut of pork and how it’s prepared impacts what alcohol pairs best. Leaner cuts like chops and tenderloin do well with lighter-bodied reds and whites. Fuller-flavored ribs and roasts can handle heartier reds. Grilled and smoked pork need wines that won’t overpower the char. Braised and roasted pork calls for a wine that echoes the intensity of the cooking method.
Match the Wine’s Body and Flavors
Full-bodied red wines have the richness to stand up to fattier cuts of pork. Medium-bodied reds with fruit flavors complement grilled chops. Crisp, acidic whites cut through pork’s fat and work with lighter dishes. Sweet wines offset salty, cured pork products.
In general, look for wines with bright acidity to cut through pork’s richness. Fruit-forward reds also pair nicely with pork’s subtly sweet flavor.
10 Alcohol Pairings for Pork
Based on the most common cuts and preparations, here are 10 recommended alcohol pairings:
1. Pinot Noir with Pork Tenderloin
Pinot Noir is a light-bodied, fruit-forward red that complements the leanness of tenderloin. Its cherry and earthy flavors work nicely with pork.
2. Beaujolais with Pork Roast
The bright acidity in Beaujolais cuts through the fattiness of roast pork. Its fruity, medium-bodied style also stands up well.
3. Rosé with Grilled Pork Chops
Rosés are versatile wine pairings for grilled pork. Their strawberry notes, light body, and zingy acidity refresh the palate after chops.
4. Riesling with Pork Schnitzel
Dry Riesling has crisp acidity to balance pork schnitzel’s richness. Its stone fruit flavors complement pork’s subtly sweetness.
5. Syrah with Pork Stir Fry
The peppery spice of Syrah complements stir-fried pork’s savory flavor. Its fuller body also matches stir fry’s intensity.
6. Zinfandel with BBQ Ribs
Zinfandel has enough bold, jammy fruit to match smoky, saucy ribs. The wine’s higher alcohol works with ribs’ richness.
7. Sparkling Wine with Bacon
Bubbles and acidity cut through bacon’s smokiness and fat. Sparkling wine’s palate-cleansing effect makes it a go-to pairing.
8. Sangria with Carnitas
For Mexican pork dishes, sangria makes a fruity, refreshing match. The orange and lime flavors in citrusy sangrias pair deliciously.
9. Sake with Pork Dumplings
Sake’s clean, rice-based flavors let the delicate pork filling of dumplings shine. It cuts through the rich dough and filling.
10. Hard Cider with Pulled Pork
Sweet, slightly tart hard cider matches the tangy barbecue sauce usually paired with pulled pork sandwiches. It cuts through the richness.
Complementing Sauces and Sides
Don’t forget to consider sauces and side dishes when pairing alcohol with pork. Sweet glazes need a wine with enough residual sugar to match. Spicy accompaniments want wines with a hint of sweetness to soothe heat. For creamy sauces, buttery Chardonnay is a classic choice. Starchy sides like polenta can handle fuller-bodied red wines.
Trust Your Tastebuds
Part of the fun is experiementing to discover which flavors and styles you enjoy most with pork. Taste different varietals to experience how the pairing changes. Sample lighter and fuller wines. There are diverse options when pairing alcohol with pork. Trust your tastebuds to pick favorites that make both the wine and pork shine. With a little guidance on complementary elements, you can confidently choose perfect pork and alcohol pairings.
WINE WITH ROAST PORK BELLY OR CRISPY SUCKLING PIG
Some of the tastiest pork recipes call for roasting fattier cuts of meat until the skin turns golden and the meat is soft. If you want to pair this dish with the perfect wine, pick a dry Riesling from Alsace or Germany. The bright acidity and mineral notes will cut through the richness of the pork and clean the palate of any extra fat. In the red realm, choose a lighter style to pair with melt-in-your-mouth pork belly and suckling pig. We recommend a cool-climate Pinot Noir, from Sancerre or Jura.
WINE WITH BARBECUED PORK RIBS
Sticky pork ribs slathered with barbecue sauce, the steaming, tender meat falling off the bone. Again, a rosé wine or a fruitier red wine like a Beaujolais Gamay-based red wine or a Burgundy Pinot Noir is a good choice. You can also use an Italian wine with a lot of acid, like a Barbera d’Asti from Piedmont or a Schiava from Alto Adige.
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FAQ
What alcohol goes well with pork?
What alcohol goes with roast pork?
Do you drink red or white wine with pork?
What wine goes with pork?
Both red and white wine pair with pork, even sparkling wine pairs with pork. Whether you choose a red or white wine will depend on the cut of pork but also what sauce you serve it with. Grilled pork chops will be better with red wine whereas pork loin will be better with white.
Can you drink wine with pork?
‘Rich whites and juicy reds tend to work well’, said Decanter Rhône correspondent Matt Walls. But, there are no hard and fast rules for pairing wine with pork. Nutritional studies class pork as a red meat, despite its relatively light appearance and a renowned advertising campaign by the US National Pork Board entitled ‘the other white meat’.
What wine goes well with pork ribs?
Try an off-dry Gewurztraminer or Muscat with a honey glaze, or a Viognier or Verdejo with a peach glaze. Finally, if you make a creamy sauce, opt for an equally creamy wine like California Chardonnay. All in all, the fat and salt pork elements require an acidic wine with medium to high body and mild tannins.
What beer goes well with smoked pork shoulder?
From the craft beer side a rich bourbon barrel aged stout or German Doppelbock will stand right up to this meal. If you’re bringing home the bacon with smoked pork shoulder or loin, the temptation will be to hit the beer aisle for a good hoppy IPA or double IPA. Go with that thought, take it further with a Tom Terrific cocktail.