Pairing Wine with Meat & Poultry

Steak wine pairing
By Gayot Editors

Of course a great glass of red wine goes hand in hand with a perfectly seasoned steak.

But did you know that red wine is also a nice match for venison, turkey, lamb and sausage? The reason that cooked meat goes so well with red wine is that the browning that occurs when you cook meat over high heat creates complex, assertive flavors, ranging from sweet to savory.

These bold flavors need a wine with enough body and boldness to stand up to them. Red wine is the perfect companion for these flavors; the fat in the meat mellows the tannins in the wine, while the earthy notes in the wine bring out the smokiness of the meat.

> Check out GAYOT’s Wine of the Week.

Pairing Wine with Chicken

Chardonnay, Vin Gris, Riesling, Merlot, Gamay Beaujolais, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir, (Lighter) Cabernet Sauvignon

What Wine to Serve with Chicken Salad

Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc

Best Wine to Serve with Smoked Chicken

Vin Gris, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel

Pairing Duck with Wine

Pinot Noir, Merlot, Rosé Sparkling Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel

Best Wine to Serve with Hot Dogs

Riesling, (Chilled) Gamay Beaujolais

What Wine to Serve with Ham

Vin Gris, Gamay Beaujolais, Merlot

Best Wine to Serve with Hamburger

Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Syrah, Chancellor, Barbera, Zinfandel, Rhône Blends

Pairing Wine with Grilled Lamb

Meritage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Marechal Foch, Chancellor, Zinfandel

What Wine to Serve with Pheasant

Pinot Noir, Syrah

Pairing Quail with Wine

Pinot Noir

Best Wine to Serve with Rabbit

Riesling, Pinot Noir, Barbera, Merlot, Zinfandel

What Wine to Serve with Sausage

Riesling, Brut or Rosé Sparkling Wine, Barbera, Gamay Beaujolais, Norton or Cynthiana, Syrah, Zinfandel

Pairing Wine with Steak (Grilled, Broiled)

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rhône Blends, Zinfandel, Meritage, Norton or Cynthiana, Syrah, Brut Sparkling Wine

> Check out our Top 10 Steak Wines

What Wine to Serve with Turkey

Merlot, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Gamay Beaujolais

Best Wine to Serve with Veal

Chardonnay, Barbera, Merlot, Cynthiana

Pairing Venison with Wine

Syrah, Rhône Blends, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Norton, Chancellor, Cabernet Sauvignon

> For more information on these varietals, check out our Grape Varietal Definitions

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