The Best Wine For Mediterranean Food Guide For Beginners
Finding the best wine for Mediterranean food is a sumptuous experience. From Chardonnay to Barolo, the options are endless. Who knew there were so many different types of grapes, anyway?
To help you cut through the noise, we’ve created a brief wine pairing with Mediterranean food guide. From reds and whites to everything in between, you’ll find the right glass for your nosh on this page.
What Kind of Wine Goes Well With Mediterranean Food?
Choosing a wine to compliment your Mediterranean food isn’t as straightforward as you think. But it’s not rocket science, and we’re here to help!
The best way to find a wine for your dinner is to look at specific pairings for your food. No one type of wine fits Mediterranean food in general. The cuisine has too many herbs, spices, and flavours to match one grape. We’ll list a few common dish pairings below to help you out.
However, if you’re off to a Med-inspired dinner and don’t know exactly what’s on the menu, Picpoul de Pinet or Reserve de Gassac Blanc are great options. They’re light and can be paired with most meals.
Sample a glass of both of these at Cafe Lovelife to get a taste before you buy the bottle!
Wine Pairing With Mediterranean Food – Typical Dish Pairings
Wine is more powerful than you may think when it comes to enhancing your food. Here are some general tips and pairings for Mediterranean food.
- Poached, steamed, or sauteed foods pair well with light white wines
- Robust red wines suit meat or cheese food, as they ease the ‘dry’ mouth feel and match the high-fat content
- Saltier foods pair well with more acidic wines
- Roasted, baked, or grilled dishes with stronger flavours work with medium and heavy wines
Need some help with the basics? Consider wine tastings in Birmingham and learn which bottles are best for you.
Italian foods with tomato-based sauces work well with Pinot Noir, Chianti, Merlot, or Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Frentano. Remember these names when making a pasta, pizza, tomato risotto, or red meat-based meal.
If you’re eating oil or cream-based Mediterranean dishes, such as seafood, pasta, or risotto, you’ll want to focus on lighter white wines or fizz. For example, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Reserve de Gassac Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, or Prosecco.
Pairing wine with Greek food can be tricky, as it often includes a plethora of tastes. The best way to tackle this Mediterranean cuisine is to pair the wine with the main focus food.
A white or light rose will work if it's a Greek chicken-based plate or seafood. If you’re eating lamb or beef, a heavier Pinot Noir or Salice Salentino Riserva will work. For Greek Salads, consider a Rioja Blanco Pharos or Riesling.
If you’re cooking a Mediterranean risotto that isn’t tomato-dominant, a glass of rose or fizz can complement the flavours well.
Best Red Wine With Mediterranean Food
If you know you want to drink a red but don’t know where to start, remember these three names:
- Tempranillo
- Pinot Noir
- Barolo
These three red wines are often the best for Mediterranean food.
Best White Wine With Mediterranean Food
Prefer lighter white wines? These are three of the best for Med cuisines:
- Rioja Blanco
- Chardonnay
- Benito Ferrara
You’ll want one of these on your shopping list for a white wine Mediterranean moment.
Alternative Wine Pairing With Mediterranean Food
Reds and whites aren’t the only options for Mediterranean food. Other pairings to explore include roses, sparkling wines, and natural wines.
Rose is a solid choice, as most variants have a refreshing taste that pairs well with most Med-inspired dishes. Consider Provence Rose or Rose Rioja Clarete for a light and fruity finish.
Fancy some fizz? Prosecco or Cava Brut Rosado can offer something special. However, these are best paired with salads, chicken, or fish dishes and are not ideal for heavier meat plates.
Finally, natural wines are an on-trend option for dinner parties. Orange wine, in particular, is an excellent match for Mediterranean food. An Italian Vincenzo Bianco Orange would be our choice for the job!
Experience Wine & Mediterranean Food in Birmingham
If you want to try a few glasses without buying the bottle or simply fancy a Mediterranean meal cooked by expert chefs, LoveLife is the place to be.
We’re a Digbeth-based restaurant inspired by the tastes and senses of the Med. Alongside a healthy menu of traditional and modern dishes, we have a hand-picked wine with many of the best pairing options.
Most wines are available per 125ml and 175ml glass or by the bottle, so you can chop and change until you find your new favourite.
Discover our master wine list online here.
We’ll save a seat (and a glass) for you!