The Perfect White Wine Pairing Guide

We may not have a white wine emoji yet, but white wines are definitely on the rise! More and more people are discovering the charms of their lighter body, refreshing character, and versatility with food. From the complex spicing of Indian and Mexican cuisines to the fresh vibrancy of Mediterranean dishes, white wine can pair well with food from every delicious corner of the world.  

At Bonterra, we let natural processes dictate our winemaking as much as possible, which extends to our use of organic grapes and low levels of sulfites in wine. The freshness and purity that people love about white wine comes in spades when you use organically grown grapes in the cellar. Bonterra’s portfolio of white wines is made 100% from certified organic grapes – and in the case of our Estate wines, Regenerative Organic Certified grapes. That means the grapes that make it into our bottles were grown in all-natural ways that revitalize the soil, support healthy ecosystems, and ensure everyone involved is treated with respect. That sure tastes better to us, and we think it will for you, too.

Read on for our food pairing guide to help you choose a white organically farmed wine that will take your meal to new heights of deliciousness, whether you’re cooking at home, grabbing takeout, or dining in a restaurant.

Basic Principles of White Wine Pairing 

The key to successfully pairing wines with food is understanding which factors matter the most. One of your first considerations should be matching body or texture. A rich, creamy dish will be more enjoyable with a white wine that has a similarly creamy texture. A light, delicate flavored dish needs a light, delicate wine that will not overwhelm its nuance.

Intensity is also important – whether it has a lot of acidity or powerful flavors that leap out of the glass. With food, we experience intensity with high-acid foods (e.g. vinaigrettes, ceviche) as well as with intensely salty dishes (sausage, cured meats, and fish), and items that have other very strong flavors (many curries, stinky cheese, pepper-coated roasts). Aim to choose a white wine that has a similar intensity to your food. Dishes with a strong personality need a wine with chutzpah to match!

A wine’s acidity plays a big part in successful white wine pairing. With rich foods, pouring a zippy, higher-acid wine will help cut the richness and refresh the palate in between bites – the same way a squeeze of lemon balances a fried cutlet. With higher-acid dishes, the best pairing is usually a wine with enough of its own acid to stand up to the food. 

The amount of sweetness in a wine is also an important pairing consideration. If you’re someone who piles on the chili crisp, a sweeter wine can help counteract the spice and bring an added layer of complexity to your dish. Look for bright, sweet fruity flavors to tame the heat.

Last, but not least: Think about the flavors you’re combining with the pairing. Imagine you’re putting the flavors of the wine, and the flavors in your food together in the same mouthful – because you are! Many times, matching similar flavors is an easy path to success. Lemony sauces are typically delicious with wines that also have lemony notes, for example. However, the most exciting and inspiring pairings are often the ones that bring different, complementary flavors together in delicious ways. For example: using a Chardonnay with fruity apple or pear notes to bring a new layer of flavor to your buttery grilled cheese sandwich. 

Pairing White Wine with Cheese 

Many people are surprised to discover that white wine pairs beautifully with cheese – even better than red wine in many cases! Here are some of our favorite white wine pairings for the cheeses most likely on your plate.

Fresh Goat Cheese with Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc.

This is a classic wine enthusiast pairing that never gets old. Fresh goat cheese has a delicate texture and zesty tang of acidity that matches our Sauvignon Blanc’s light body and vibrant acidity.  The bright citrusy notes in the wine also make a lovely complement to the distinctive earthy, “goaty” flavors in the cheese. 

Brie with Bonterra Chardonnay. 

The decadent richness of France’s “King of Cheeses” needs a wine with some voluptuousness, too. A bit of bright acidity would also help to refresh the palate and create a nicely balanced mouthful. The elegant, full body of “The Roost” Single-Vineyard Chardonnay delivers both of these key characteristics, along with a buttery flavor profile to match the Brie, and juicy orchard fruit flavors to complement the earthy notes in the cheese.

Mastering Pairings with Sauvignon Blanc 

Sauvignon Blanc is a wonderfully versatile wine grape for food pairing, thanks to its bright acidity and uplifting citrus flavors. It’s a go-to pairing with delicate, fresh foods like simply cooked shellfish, as well as richer foods that could benefit from a bit of zesty citrus acidity.

Food Pairing with Seafood

Reach for refreshing Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc with your next pot of white wine-steamed mussels or clams. Its light body won’t overwhelm the delicate textures of the seafood and will lift the dish with bright acidity and citrusy flavors. White wines also make a lovely pairing for other seafood dishes, like crab and white fish. 

For seafood in a fuller-bodied, more intense sauce, like a coconut milk curry, try the Bonterra Estate Sauvignon Blanc. Because it undergoes a small amount of oak aging, this wine has a slightly fuller body that will meld seamlessly with a richer and creamy sauce. The greater intensity of the tropical citrus fruit can also stand up to the bolder flavors of ginger, garlic, spices and herbs and make a dynamic pairing.

Other Sauvignon Blanc Pairings

Sauvignon Blanc is not just for fish and seafood, however. It also makes a perfect partner with many vegetarian and meaty dishes. Anywhere there are a lot of tangy vegetables and fresh herbs, Sauvignon Blanc will shine. (Think tacos, banh mi sandwiches or salads loaded with fresh herbs and pickled vegetables; grilled vegetables or leaner meats topped with zesty chimichurri sauce; chile verde; tofu noodle bowls with ginger-citrus dressing and cilantro.) Any lighter dishes with white meat will make Sauvignon Blanc the perfect complementary pairing to your meal.

Sauvignon Blanc also makes a lovely pairing with many Indian dals and Japanese soba noodle dishes, providing a fresh complement to the earthy flavor profiles and textures. 

When it doubt, try it out! You might be surprised to see how far a well-made Sauvignon Blanc can take you.

Mastering Pairings with Chardonnay 

Chardonnay is one of the most prestigious wine grapes in the world, and when crafted with care from organically grown grapes, it offers a world of luxurious pairings. Oaked Chardonnays gain a richer body and nutty flavors that let them pair well with creamy sauces, succulent white meats, and richer fish and seafood. At the same time, Chardonnay does not need fatty foods to work with food; its smooth texture also makes a brilliant match with lower-fat ingredients like silken tofu, chicken, pork tenderloin, corn, fresh tomatoes, peaches, apricots and miso. 

The bright fruit and creamy texture of Bonterra Chardonnay make it a great choice with tofu miso soup, sesame-oil dressed greens, classic caprese salad, chicken kabobs with tahini or peanut sauce, smoky BBQ chicken (or other smoked cheeses), shrimp and grits, or even old-school pork chops and applesauce.  

Our Estate Chardonnay’s elegant sleekness would be the perfect wine for our choice with fragrant, textured dishes like Hainan chicken rice, sweet roasted cauliflower or root vegetables, grilled peach salads, lemongrass tofu (or chicken or pork chops), creamy stews, saffron polenta, and succulent cold-smoked salmon. 

Elevate Your Food Pairings

The pure fruit flavors, balanced acidity, and elegant textures of Bonterra Vineyard’s organically farmed white wines can elevate just about any meal to a special occasion. Take our wine tasting tips and run with them. Don’t limit yourself to traditional pairings with French or Italian dishes – Bonterra’s organic winery wines are true citizens of the world, and we crafted them accordingly. What’s your favorite new white wine pairing?