Best Wine and Fruit Pairings: A Guide for Wine Lovers
Finding the perfect match between wine and fruit is the shortcut you didn't know you needed.
Imagine being able to pop that bottle from the wine cellar and perfectly pair it with any fruit you have from your harvest or the store.
Whether you're planning a summer night gathering or a holiday season feast, here are some popular wine and fruit combinations that you can put together in a jiffy!
These combinations are sure to intensify both the wine and the flavors of the fruit.
Pinot Noir with strawberries
The wine's acidity complements the natural sweetness of the fruit, creating a harmonious balance. Another alternative is raspberries, but the main thing is: the sweeter the berry, the better. Pair it with fresh berry desserts to intensify the tartness and sweetness of both.
Cabernet Sauvignon with blackberries
Cabernet Sauvignon is a popular wine known for its deep fruit flavors and tannic structure, making it ideal to pair with the natural sweetness and slight tartness of blackberries. This pairing works well in desserts such as blackberry tarts, blackberry cobbler, and blackberry compote over vanilla ice cream.
Moscato with apricots and pineapple
Sweet wines, such as Moscato, are an excellent choice for pairing with tropical fruits like apricots and pineapple because the wine's sweetness enhances the fruit's natural tartness. Additionally, desserts such as fruit tarts, sorbets, and tropical fruit salads work wonderfully together.
Pinot Grigio with apples
The crisp and refreshing profile of Pinot Grigio pairs with the fresh texture and sweetness of apples, creating a contrast of flavors. Other ways to pair apples with Pinot Grigio is with dishes like apple and goat cheese salad, apple and brie crostini, or apple and cinnamon crumble over vanilla ice cream.
Champagne with fresh berries
The sparkling properties of the wine combined with the texture of the berries create a pleasant fizz in your mouth, which enhances the combination. Additionally, the bubbles and acidity of the wine intensify the sweet and tart notes of the berries. You can also enjoy this combination by creating berry-infused champagne cocktails, using berry ice cubes, or mixing berry syrups and purees for a flavorful twist.
Cabernet Franc with plums
Cabernet Franc, a medium-bodied red wine with a hint of black pepper, pairs beautifully with plums in many forms. The most popular pairing is with fresh plums, but dried plums (better known as prunes) and even plum-based sauces can also enhance the wine's complex flavors. The fruit's natural sweetness and the wine's peppery notes create a balanced flavor profile.
Riesling with peaches and pineapple
The floral notes and acidity of Riesling complement the juicy sweetness of peaches and the tropical tang of pineapple, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. Besides enjoying them fresh, you can pair the wine with tropical dishes like grilled peaches drizzled with honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon, or grilled chicken with pineapple salsa for a refreshing twist.
Pinot Gris with melon, apples, and pears
The wine's crisp acidity against the refreshing sweetness of melon and pear is the perfect combo, while its subtle fruit notes enhance the flavors of apples. Other recipes that pair well include fruit salads and grilled fruit skewers, especially with the caramelized fruit.
Dry Rosé with melon
The refreshing and slightly acidic profile of Dry Rosé complements the juicy freshness of watermelon and the honeyed profile of cantaloupe and honeydew. A simple summer salad of watermelon and melon with mint and a drizzle of lime juice pairs perfectly with a glass of Dry Rosé. Now imagine watermelon and cantaloupe fruit skewers as summer appetizers paired with a refreshing glass of wine. What a combo!
Off-Dry Riesling with apricots
The acidity of the Off-Dry Riesling enhances the apricot's tartness, while its floral and citrus notes add depth to the pairing. Consider recipes where apricot is the main ingredient, such as apricot-glazed chicken, apricot and almond tart, or simply served grilled with a dollop of Greek yogurt under the afternoon sun.
Chardonnay with apple, pear, peach and mango
The crispness of apple and pear complements the wine's acidity, while the sweetness of peach and mango enhances its fruit-forward character. For apple and pear, consider recipes like a simple fruit salad or a baked fruit crisp, or dishes where peach is the main ingredient like grilled peach salad or peach salsa. As for mango, find recipes where mango complements the dish, such as mango salsa or mango chutney.
Rosé with raspberries, melon and peaches
The vibrant acidity of Rosé champagne complements the tartness of raspberries, the refreshing sweetness of melon, and the juicy, honeyed nectar of peaches. Dishes that will enhance the notes of the Rosé champagne include berry tarts, raspberry sorbet, and mixed berry salads. For melon, a popular choice as an appetizer is prosciutto-wrapped melon, while for peaches, a traditional peach cobbler is a classic and safe choice.
Merlot with cherries, cranberries and plums
The rich and fruity notes of Merlot complement the tartness of cherries and cranberries, and when combined with plums, it enhances their sweetness. There are plenty of recipes pairing this Old World wine with savory dishes where cherries, cranberries, and/or plums are the star flavor ingredients.
Final thoughts
No matter your preference—light wines, full-bodied reds, or sweet whites—there's a complementary pairing waiting for you.
Explore these pairings and find your favorites. Cheers to finding the perfect match!
Check back next week for tips about pairing wine with vegetables.
Disclaimer: If you're on medication, consult with your doctor before drinking wine.