What Is Chicken Alfredo?
Food is way better when you have the right wine to accompany it and chicken Alfredo is no exception to this rule. The hard part is figuring out whether you should go for white or red or for something in between. The most challenging part, though, is deciding on the grape variety. Whatever the case may be for you, this article should provide the guidance that you need. We promise that we have chosen the best wines to pair with your creamy Alfredo. But, wait.
Simply put, chicken Alfredo (or fettuccine Alfredo) is an Italian pasta dish of fresh pasta with butter and Parmesan cheese. As the cheese and butter melt, they blend with the chicken and the pasta to create a rich sauce. The dish has taken its name from Alfredo di Lelio, who first featured it at his restaurant in Rome in the mid-20th Century.
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(4.5 / 5) What Wines Pair Well With Chicken Alfredo?
Before grabbing any bottle of wine to accompany your chicken Alfredo, take a look at the following wine options to help you bring the most flavor out of this classy Italian course.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is a fine wine for your chicken Alfredo wine pairing. In fact, if you aim to pair only one wine with this dish, a Pinot Grigio could be your best bet. It has lots of acidic flavors and enough oiliness to match the complexity of chicken Alfredo, plus the high acidity helps to cut through the creaminess of this intricate course.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay has a rich, buttery taste, so it makes sense to suggest it for your chicken Alfredo wine match. In reality, the restrained taste of the Chardonnay gives it less of an oaky flavor than a buttery one. Therefore, you’d want to look out for a creamy Chardonnay that has just a bit of oakiness to pair with your Italian dinner. Chardonnay’s from California, Australia, or extra buttery ones from Chablis (not the typical bone-dry ones) are highly recommended.
Barbera
If you want to go for a red wine with your chicken Alfredo, consider a Barbera. I mean, if you prefer red wine to white, then the Italian grape varietal, Barbera, is a sensible choice because it offers highly acidic flavors that balance out the creaminess of the Alfredo dish. As such, Barbera goes excellently with most creamy or cheese foods.
Pinot Noir
The Pinot Noir is a red wine that makes an excellent match with chicken Alfredo. It offers a fruity flavor, and high acidity and will cut through the creaminess of the dish. The fact that it has earthy flavors means that it goes superbly with mushrooms, which are often a part of a delicious chicken Alfredo dish. Without any more delay, here are the best white and red wines to pair with chicken Alfredo.
Best White Wines With Chicken Alfredo
Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay
- Winery — Rombauer Vineyards
- Country/Region — United States, California, North Coast, Napa County, Napa Valley, Los Carneros
- Type — Californian Chardonnay
- Aroma — Honeysuckle, Grapefruit, Orange Blossom, Peach, Jasmine
- Grapes — Chardonnay
- Taste — Guava, Lemongrass, Pineapple, Ginger, Apple, Tangerine, Lemon Curb, Pear, Meyer Lemon
- Alcohol Content — 14.4%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Chicken Alfredo, Halibut, Red Snapper, Pork Chops, Pungent Blue, Romanian Telemea
Tasting Notes
Beautiful aromas of yellow peaches, Meyer lemons, and florals blend with hints of vanilla spice and cloves on the nose, while flavors of stone fruits continue on the rich palate. Balanced acidity and a long finish leave you wanting more.
This wine shines with the bountiful aromas of apples, peaches, apricots, lemons, and chamomile, which blend together with touches of cloves, vanilla spice, and cinnamon. The rich, buttery palate is supported by a creamy mouth feel. At the same time, tastes of nectarines, guavas, grapefruits, and apples combine with an elegant hint of oak, completing the mouth. The acidity is refreshing, and the lush back palate is enjoyable. You will be left wanting another sip of the best white wine with chicken Alfredo!
A Family-owned Napa Valley Wine Estate
Rombauer Vineyards is based in Napa Valley, and it’s a family-owned winery that has been operating since 1980. The Rombauer family aims to create sensational wines that lead to joyful moments. Rombauer owns 670 acres of vineyards in many wine regions of Napa, including Carneros, Atlas Peak, Stags Leap, St. Helena, Calistoga, and the Sierra Foothills. For the most part, Rombauer makes Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Italo Cescon Pinot Grigio Friuli Il Tralcetto
- Winery — Italo Cescon
- Country/Region — Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Friuli Grave
- Type — Italian Pinot Grigio
- Aroma — Peach, Apricot, Banana, Pear, Apple, Honeysuckle, Chamomile
- Grapes — Pinot Grigio
- Taste — Nut, Hazelnut, Almond, Pineapple, Nectarine, Blood Orange, Grapefruit
- Alcohol Content — 12%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Chicken Alfredo, Fried Fish Or Seafood, Tiger Prawns, Risottos, Asian, Nutty Gruyère
Tasting Notes
This is an easygoing Pinot Grigio that demonstrates sensations of stone and tropical fruits. Simple and highly refreshing, this white has a brisk, racy acidity. A fine white wine that’s super easy to sip. Aromas of peaches, apricots, bananas, pears, and apples dominate the bouquet of this enticing Pinot Grigio. The palate is smooth and a bit creamy. It presents a nutty flavor of hazelnuts and almonds, as well as flavors of pineapples, nectarines, blood oranges, and grapefruit.
Pleasantly acidic. The finish is sweet, and concludes the tasting profile nicely with a touch of crushed stones. Delightful! Italo Cescon is a winery influenced by the background and atmosphere of northern Italy. Specifically, they give their wines the time they need to mature in a modern and functional cellar. This evolution and bottle development defines Italo Cescon wines, as the controlled temperature permits their bottling to reach their optimal equilibrium.
Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc – Viognier
- Winery — Pine Ridge
- Country/Region — Napa Valley, California, United States
- Type — Californian White Blend
- Aroma — Pineapple, Citrus, Apple, Honey, Pear
- Grapes — Viognier, Chenin Blanc
- Taste — Peach, Strawberry, Green Apple, Pear, Grapefruit
- Alcohol Content — 12.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Chicken Alfredo, Turkey, Chicken Francese, Jambalaya, Grilled Cheese, Creamy Salmon
Tasting Notes
Bright, brisk, and highly enjoyable, Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc – Viognier is an aromatic white blend of honeysuckle and citrus. The start on the palate is mouthwatering, showcasing refreshing acidity and roundness. A lingering touch of Meyer lemons and limes graces the finish.
Fruity and balanced, this welcoming white wine begins with crispy aromas of honeysuckle, grapefruit, orange blossoms, peaches, and jasmine. The flavors range from apricots and pineapples to guavas, lemongrass, ginger, and apples. At the same time, tastes of tangerines, lemon curd, and pears join notes of flint and Meyer lemons as they drive to the lengthy finish. Great, zippy acidity.
Pine Ridge Vineyards has become a leader in Cabernet Sauvignon production from Stags Lead District, since 1978 when the winery was founded. Pine Ridge is tucked underneath a ridge of pines with a fine view of rugged outcroppings that tell of the geologic origins of this prestigious wine region and its soils. Pine Ridge Vineyards spans additional appellations within Napa Valey, in Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, and Carneros, crafting wines expressive of the locale.
Best Red Wines With Chicken Alfredo
Braida Montebruna Barbera d’Asti
- Winery — Braida
- Country/Region — Italy, Piemonta, Barbera d’Asti
- Type — Italian Barbera
- Aroma — Cherry, Raspberry, Redcurrant, Plum, Vanilla Spice, Redcurrant, Dried Olives
- Grapes — Barbera
- Taste — Tobacco, Sausage, Smoke, Game Meat, Plums, Prunes, Figs, Stewed Fruits, Licorice
- Alcohol Content — 13.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Chicken Alfredo, Mushrooms, Herbaceous Cheeses, Braised Greens, Danish Blue
Tasting Notes
Purplish ruby-red color with scents of ripe cherry and berry, this Barbera red wine has deep flavors and a persistent finish. This full-bodied expression of Barbera is superb -juicy, jammy, and yummy. The great thing about the wine is that this Barbera from Asti manages to hold its own when it comes to acidity, meaning it’s exceptionally refreshing. The nose is packed with the aromas of cherries, raspberries, redcurrants, plums, vanilla spice, and dried olives.
Lush and rich on the palate, there’s enough firmness in the tannins to satisfy fans of bold, expressive reds. On top of this, the wine is balanced and acidic (i.e., refreshing) and shows extra flavors of tobacco, sausages, and smoked game meat. In other words, there’s a density of flavor. Long finish.
The Heritage of a Traditional Italian Wine Family
Braida is the heritage of a traditional Italian wine family that expands every day due to hard work and honest passion for good, fine wine. Braida is also considered the “wood of thoughts” in Montebruna, where vine rootings give life to an exceptional Barbera vineyard in the Asinara region. Sustainable practices and biodiversity result in imaginative, passionate wines crafted with respect for tradition.
Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir
- Winery — Belle Glos
- Country/Region — United States, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County, Santa Maria Valley
- Type — Californian Pinot Noir
- Aroma — Cranberry, Raspberry, Cherry, Strawberry, Clove, Cedar, Smoke, Cinnamon
- Grapes — Pinot Noir
- Taste — Redcurrant, Tart, Blueberry Pie, Blackberries, Plums, Figs, Prunes, Leather
- Alcohol Content — 14.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Chicken Alfredo, Duck, Game Meat, Mushroom-based Courses, Aged Gouda, Goat Cheese
Tasting Notes
Ruby-red in color with a scarlet-indigo rim. The wine opens with aromas of red fruits, such as cranberry, and touches of cedar and cloves. Complex flavors of ripe red berries and dark fruits linger on the palate. Lively and rich texture.
This Pinot Noir is one of my favorites for a simple reason: It’s highly aromatic. It is even possibly the best red wine with chicken Alfredo on our list. Specifically, the wine starts with plenty of aromas of cranberries, raspberries, cherries, and strawberries. These are accompanied by hints of cloves, cedar, smoke, and sweet, baking spices. The flavors consist of cherries, redcurrants, and blueberry pie, as well as touches of plums, figs, and prunes. Smooth tannins, moderate acidity, and lingering aftertaste.
Belle Glos produces high-quality Pinot Noirs from some of California’s best wine-growing regions. Each vineyard location is near the Pacific Ocean, with the climate varying from foggy, windy, to sunny. Each wine is crafted in such a way as to distill the purest essence of the terroir into elegant Pinot Noir expressions.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed the suggestions, and that you will now stop worrying about what to pair with chicken Alfredo or similar, creamy dishes. All you have to do is stick to my wine recommendations, and you’re good to go. I will only ask you for one thing: Next time you prepare chicken Alfredo, have a creamy forkful for me, too, and a hearty sip of your favorite white or red. Bon appétit!
