Best Chardonnay food matches
Chardonnay is one of the most versatile white wines that can be enjoyed with food. Photo: Wine Selectors
Chardonnay is one of the world’s great wines, and it’s no wonder – with such diversity of styles available, it’s an extraordinarily food-friendly drop to enjoy with a vast range of dishes.
Here are some simple tips to create the ideal Chardonnay food and wine pairing.
PAIR WITH STYLE
Whichever style you prefer, Chardonnay is a truly delicious wine to pair with food.
While classic pairings include roast chicken and other white meats, these are best reserved for the fuller-bodied Chardonnay wines, so the rich flavours of the meat don’t overpower the wine.
The lighter styles and Sparkling wines that use Chardonnay as their base, however, open up even more intriguing possibilities for your palate.
Here are some of our favourite food matches for each style!
BEST FOOD MATCHES FOR SPARKLING BLANC DE BLANCS
The earthy flavours of mushroom and the saline characters of oysters really come alive when paired with the beautiful, crisp acidity and texture of a Sparkling Blanc de Blanc.
Try these recipes for some winning combinations!
Lyndey Milan’s mushroom pâté
The earthy flavours of this mushroom pâté are a treat with Sparkling Blanc de Blancs. Photo: Wine Selectors
Mark Olive’s Asian-inspired oysters
Sparkling Blanc de Blanc shines with the lively flavours of this inspired oyster dish. Photo: Wine Selectors
BEST MATCHES FOR LIGHT TO MEDIUM-WEIGHT, LIGHTLY OAKED CHARDONNAY
The more restrained use of oak in this style of Chardonnay allows more room for delicacy in your food selections, and lets dishes with zesty flavours really shine – as demonstrated in these suggested recipes.
Delicious fish tacos
Ocean fresh meets Mexican zest in these fish tacos, ideal with a lighter-style Chardonnay. Photo: Wine Selectors
Prawn and pineapple salad with lime dressing
Bursting with flavour, this salad dish takes on a new dimension with a lightly oaked Chardonnay. Photo: Wine Selectors
BEST MATCHES FOR MEDIUM-TO-FULLER WEIGHT, MORE HEAVILY OAKED CHARDONNAY
Bring on the flavour! Fuller-bodied Chardonnays have the heft and character to stand up beautifully to creamier, richer dishes, so if you’re hankering for a big, bold flavour sensation then go to town with the following suggested recipes!
Anjum Anand’s Mangalorean chicken curry
This flavoursome curry is a must-try with a fuller-styled Chardonnay. Photo: Wine Selectors
King salmon with warm romesco salad
A fuller-bodied Chardonnay is a sensational choice with the big flavours of salmon. Photo: Wine Selectors
MORE GREAT FOOD AND WINE GUIDES
Looking for more great food and wine matches? Our friends at Wine Selectors have you covered: Try their Food and Wine Pairing Essentials Guide, or their excellent Takeout Tastings series … enough to satisfy the hungriest wine lover!
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