Heart’s Desire
From being the pièce de résistance of a dinner party to a hearty, homely meal — a pork chop is an extremely versatile piece of protein. Baste it with butter and thyme, throw it over the grill, crust it and pan fry it – you can cook a pork chop any way your heart desires. The end result will always be the same – you’ll have a delicious meal.
The best wines to pair with pork chops are not difficult to find. This article will make pork chop and wine pairings simple for you. Whether you are getting ready to cook for a date, or have invited your family over, try these pairings to wow your dinner guests.
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(4.5 / 5) What Wines Pair Well With Pork Chops?
Pork is a lean white meat. So, any wine paired with it should enhance its delicate flavor. Some wines work really well with certain pork chop preparations, and this guide for pork chops wine pairing will tell you all about it. When pairing wine with pork, the first thing to keep in mind is the acidity level of the wine. Often described by the words ‘tart,’ ‘crisp,’ or ‘bright’, the type of acidity can complement your pork chop dish.
Before pairing a wine with any pork chop dish, check that wine is able to mellow out a salty dish. Or it should be subtle enough to enhance the pork flavor. What you choose will depend upon your taste and preference. Let’s look at some of the best white wines for pork chops like the Chardonnay and the German Riesling. We will also discuss the best red wines for pork chops like the Pinot Noir, the French Beaujolais Red, and rose wines like Zinfandel.
Best White Wines With Pork Chops
Bernardus Chardonnay
- Winery — Bernardus
- Country/Region — United States, California, Central Coast, Monterey County
- Type — Californian Chardonnay
- Aroma — Grapefruit, Melon, Oak, Baked Bread, Vanilla, Tropical Fruit, Hazelnut
- Grapes — Chardonnay
- Taste — Grapefruit, Vanilla, Melon, Apple, Banana, Oak
- Alcohol Content — 14.1%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Pork Chops, Grilled Calamari, Pan-seared Salmon, Roast Chicken, Vegetable Terrines
Tasting Notes
A perfect companion to a pork chop entree is our first white wine pick – the Bernardus Chardonnay. If you are looking for the best white wine with pork chops, look no further. This white wine’s characteristic aroma is a mixture of fruity notes with peaches and other tropical fruits. There are also subtle vanilla and oaky notes that make it a delicious sipping wine.
The fruity notes of the Chardonnay make it a perfect complement to pork chops. If you are having grilled pork chops for dinner, the oaky notes of the Chardonnay with a hint of vanilla and caramel will taste excellent with the charred edges of the meat. This bottle of Chardonnay by Bernardus is versatile enough to complement a variety of dishes from fish and poultry, or even vegetarian meals. Out of all the California wines on our list, this white wine is truly a standout.
Weingut Nik Weis – St. Urbans-Hof Nik Weis Selection Urban Riesling
- Winery — Weingut Nik Weis – St. Urbans-Hof
- Country/Region — Germany, Mosel
- Type — German Riesling
- Aroma — Honeysuckle, Green Apple, Lemon, Citrus Fruit
- Grapes — Riesling
- Taste — Apple, Orange, Pear, Peach, Tripical Flavors
- Alcohol Content — 9.5%
- Sugar — Semi-Sweet
- Pairing — Pork Chops, White Fish, Spicy Dishes, Cured Meat, Thai Food
Tasting Notes
If you are fond of hot and spicy Asian foods, the Nik Weis Selection Urban Riesling is the right choice for you. This wine will complement and tame the heat of your spicy pork chop. Nik Weis uses Riesling grapes to produce this wine, and you are guaranteed not to be disappointed. After all, this grape is the cream of the crop for making white wines at present.
This bottle of white wine has high acidity. It is also extremely versatile. You can pair a variety of food options with it —from pork to spicy foods or cured meat. It’s a light-bodied wine that is also a perfect beginner wine for budding wine enthusiasts. You can even age this bottle for some time, and it’s guaranteed to improve with time.
Best Red Wines With Pork Chops
Lioco Pinot Noir
- Winery — Lioco
- Country/Region — United States, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
- Type — Californain Pinot Noir
- Aroma — Pomegranate, Orange Blossom, Raspberry, Wet Slate, Blackberry, Violet
- Grapes — Pinot Noir
- Taste — Chocolate, Coffee, Cranberry, Plum, Tea, Forest Floor
- Alcohol Content — 13%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Pork Chops, Chicken Marsala, Duck, Pheasant, Salmon, Roast Pork, Mushroom Risotto
Tasting Notes
Any Pinot Noir will complement that pork chop dish, but none does it better than our Lioco brand Pinot Noir wine. It is possibly the best red wine with pork chops, you can find. The rich fruity notes of Pinot Noir pair well with the savory goodness of any pork chops dish, but especially with pork chops. Add a side of earthy mushrooms to your dinner, and you are guaranteed to have a dining experience like no other.
The Lioco Pinot Noir is a medium-bodied wine with a full mouth feel. It is versatile and complements several dishes — from beef, venison, poultry, and especially pork. The wine’s high acidity makes it a winner with meat. Although the Pinot Noir grape is best grown in the colder climate of Oregon, California produces some of the best of the lot. This bottle will be worth its salt and will not disappoint.
1000 Stories Zinfandel
- Winery — 1000 Stories
- Country/Region — United States, California
- Type — Californian Zinfandel
- Aroma — Raspberry, Strawberry, Blueberry, Nutmeg, Clove
- Grapes — Zinfandel
- Taste — Blackberry, Cocoa, Coffee, Clove, Caramel, Butterscotch
- Alcohol Content — 15.2%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Pork Chops, Lamb With Anchovies, Veal Stew, Lasagna, Sausages With Peppers
Tasting Notes
If your pork chop is on the fatty side, you don’t want to order a wine that could overpower the meat’s flavor. We recommend having a glass of 1000 Stories Zinfandel with that — the main notes of dark berries and pepper perfectly pairs with any fatty pork cuts. The Zinfandel grapes of California are known to be food-friendly in general. Still, the full-bodied and highly acidic quality of the 1000 Stories Zinfandel is what cured, red meat, and cheese lovers are longing for.
The jammy characteristics of this wine are a perfect contrast to the more robust flavors of the accompanying meat. Zinfandel is also known for its high alcohol content — this 1000 Stories bottle has 15.2% ABV. So, enjoy and treat yourself to a worthwhile wine experience.
Château Thivin Côte de Brouilly
- Winery — Château Thivin
- Country/Region — France, Beaujolais, Côte de Brouilly
- Type — Beaujolais Red
- Aroma — Cherry, Raspberry, Cranberry, Cinnamon Stick, Vanilla Spice
- Grapes — Gamay
- Taste — Blackberry, Blueberry, Tomato Leaf, Mint, Pepper, Smoke
- Alcohol Content — 12.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Pork Chops, Ahi Tuna, Grilled Pork, Paté, Confit Duck, Seared Tuna, Sushi, Fruit Salad
Tasting Notes
If you are seeking a truly versatile wine for any pork chop meal, whether it is grilled, marinated, broiled, or even pan-fried, then Chateau Thrivin’s Beaujolais Red is what you have been looking for. The highly acidic nature of this red wine, the affordable price point, and the rich fruity aroma and flavor notes is what make this red wine a total winner.
Aside from the cherry, raspberry, and strawberry flavor notes of this Beaujolais Red, you’ll also experience the subtle flavors of earthy black pepper, minerals, and spices that would complement any side dish. When paired with a pork chop, this delicious wine will take your simple meal to the next level.
Conclusion
Any white or red wine with a high level of acidity, light-bodied or medium-bodied, pairs well with pork chops. A Chardonnay will be perfect for earthy grilled chops, and so will the Pinot Noir, while a Riesling will better complement a spicy Korean pork chop meal.
The Zinfandel will be excellent for the fatty pork chop dish, and the Beaujolais Red will pretty much complete everything, even your Thanksgiving dinner. Once you find your perfect pork chops wine match, go ahead, and indulge yourself in a good meal. I wish you a happy wining and dining experience.
