Pork Wine Pairing: 10 Best Wines to Pair with Pork

Pork makes a regular rotation in our family’s weekly meals. It’s a great protein source and can be prepared in enough ways to keep it from being boring. Creating the perfect pork wine pairing is easy when you know what elements of the wine and what elements of pork to focus on. In this guide, you’ll learn the best wines that go with pork based on the cooking method and sauces and glazes you use.

What elements to consider when pairing wine with pork

Pork wine pairing boils down to two essential elements you can find in pork; fat and salt. Because pork is a relatively fatty meat, you want to pair it with a medium-bodied wine with high acidity. And if you choose a red wine, the fat will help combat the tannins.

Of course, as you may know from my ebook, pork wine pairing is all about making the right connections. And that includes the sauce too. Even better, because the pork has chicken’s chameleon-like ability to take on other flavors, you will often need to pair the sauce rather than the wine. In other words, your sauce selection can turn a wine from a total mishap to a surprising success story.

Sounds interesting? Keep reading to find some of the best wines that go with pork and its main sauces. And before you know it, you will be enjoying the deliciously balanced meal you deserve.

Five Red Wines that Pair with Pork

Because of its versatility, pork can pair well with different red wines. Aim to keep the wine and food pairing in balance and not overwhelm the dish with too heavy a red wine.

Pork and Malbec

Malbec is an excellent pairing with stuffed pork loin. Its fruity flavors of plum and berries make for a great side to pork, especially if you serve it with a red sauce. Although Malbec comes from both France and Argentina, opt for the latter. Argentinian Malbec tends to be more fruit forward and less tannic which will bring out the sweetness in the dish.

Pork and Pinotage 

If you plan to grill the pork chops, you need to try Pinotage. This signature red wine of South Africa is a cross between Cinsault and Pinot Noir, which pairs beautifully with pork. The char of the grilled pork chops is a nice complement to Pinotage’s smoky elements. You will feel the full-bodied wine with its high alcohol concentration come in harmony with the fat elements of pork—balance at its best.

Pork and Syrah 

Pork may not be the first meat that comes to mind when you think of rich and colorful food. Yet, if you decide to treat yourself with pork tenderloin, you better pair it with a red wine that makes a difference. And that would be no other than fruity and bold Syrah. Its full-body, medium-high tannins, and acidity are all you want next to your pork tenderloin. 

Pork and Carmenere 

Like Malbec, Carmenere also originates from Bordeaux and has been made famous in South America. Carmenere is an excellent complement to grilled pork chops or pork fajitas. Its good tannic structure will help break the fat pork elements, while the herbal and green characteristics will add a welcoming flavor to your dish.

Pork and Port

Portugal’s famous wine deserves a bright spot in the list of the best red wines that pair with pork. Port wine is fortified and carries a sweet taste that perfectly complements the salty component of pork. After all, it is just a letter’s difference! In short, port wine makes a great companion for pulled pork sliders and brisket. The sweet barbecue sauce begs for a sweeter style wine. You will notice the wine’s ability to let the meat flavor come through the moment you take the first sip.

Five white wines that pair with pork

When pairing white wine with pork, it’s all about the acid. Acidity is the main element to consider, the aromas and flavors will be secondary.

Assyrtiko with Pork

If there is one white wine you need to try today with pork, that would be no other than Assyrtiko. This acidic wine has a crisp and refreshing taste that beautifully pairs with pork souvlaki. Let alone that it has a slight tannin quality. And yes, we are talking about white wine! Greece’s best white wine, to be specific. 

Pinot Grigio with Pork

Although easy to make, pork tenderloin has a delicate flavor and cries for a glass of equally simple quality wine. And that’s why Italian Pinot Grigio is a smooth, refreshing wine that goes well with pork. The same applies to Pinot Gris that comes from the same grape variety, but in France rather than Italy. Both styles of Pinot Grigio will pair well with pork tenderloin- lemony sauce with an Italian Pinot Grigio, fruit glazes with a Pinot Gris.

Albariño with Pork

Albariño is a dry Spanish white wine high in acid that makes an excellent fit to the fattest components of pig, including pork belly. If that is not enough, Albariño’s lemon and grapefruit aftertaste give an appealing sauciness to the dish.

All 4 Styles of Chenin Blanc Pair with Pork

The chameleon of the white wine world, Chenin Blanc, needs to be on the list with the best wines to pair with pork. Any pork, if that matters. After all, there are at least four common styles of Chenin Blanc. For example, dry sparkling Chenin (Sparkling Vouvray) is ideal to side with pork belly, while its sweeter counterparts can pair well with sour and sweet pork. 

Vidiano, Cretan Wine with Pork

Another white wine that fits almost everything, Vidiano makes a suitable companion to pork. Its medium body, acidity, and silky texture are the reasons behind the grape’s popularity in Crete, not to mention its taste. Lemons, apricots, and peaches are all aromas and flavors you will notice and love with a glass of Vidiano with your pork dish, especially pork with celery.

Pork wine pairing by cut and preparations

The way you choose to cut and prepare your pork will determine which wine better suits it. Grilled pork chops will have a smokey element that will pair better with red wines, whereas a pork loin is leaner and therefore will be better with a white wine. Pork with a peach glaze is going to be vastly different in flavor profile than a spiced pork tenderloin. Get it?

Pork Chops Wine Pairing

The neutrality of pork chops suits light wines with fruity flavors. Think of Pinot Noir, Torrontés, or even Chardonnay if you’re not feeling too adventurous. For any rosé wine enthusiast out there, you are in good luck. The crispness of rosés makes it a great match with any pork preparation. 

Wine Pairing Pork Roast

Although there is no one way to make your pork roast, some wines stand out as an excellent match with roast pork. Beaujolais and its high acidity perfectly balance with the fat pork elements. If you prefer white wine, opt for dry Riesling, a selection you won’t regret. 

Wine Pairing with Pork Tenderloin and Apples

One of my favorite dishes from childhood was pork tenderloin with apples, or applesauce. I still make it periodically for my own kids, this time with a big ole glass of Riesling or Pinot Blanc. The apple character in the wine really pops with the dish. And if you want to play it safe, you can never go wrong with a bottle of Chardonnay and its tree fruit flavors.

Pork belly wine pairing

A fatty dish like pork belly cries for a wine with high acidity to cut through the fat and brighten up the palate. And because we are talking about salty meat, acidity becomes even more critical. Champagne with its biting acidity, is an excellent pairing with pork belly, or any Brut-to-Extra Dry sparkling wines. You can also try a fruity Loire Cabernet Franc, acidic Pinot Noir, or off-dry Riesling are all successful matches with pork belly. 

A quick guide to wine that goes with pork sauces- applesauce, honey glaze, barbecue sauce, cherry sauce, plum sauce

To give your sauce justice, try to pair it with a wine with similar flavors and aromas. A red sauce from cherries or plums needs an equally red and fruity wine, such as the Argentinian Malbec or jammy Shiraz. 

Sweet sauces, such as ones with honey, pair best with sweeter wines or wines with lots of fruit flavors. 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.

Conclusion 

All in all, the fat and salt pork elements require an acidic wine with medium to high body and mild tannins. However, the sauce you serve with it plays an equally important role, if not more. Choose the pork cut carefully, pay attention to the sauce, and feel free to experiment. 

No matter the chemistry behind the match, it all boils down to your palate. Did you try any of my recommendations above? Or did you find a surprising fit? Either way, let me know in the comments and spread the knowledge.

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