Top pairings

The best food to pair with Chardonnay

Posted by Fiona Beckett (Google+) on May 26 2022 at 07:31

If you’re looking for food pairings for chardonnay, you’re in luck! Whatever the style it’s a fantastic food wine. Which makes it all the more remarkable that many people still say they don’t like chardonnay.

I always think saying you’re bored with chardonnay is a bit like saying you’re bored with chicken. There are so many different styles including some of the world’s greatest white wines.

The key to pairing chardonnay is appreciating that it’s not just one wine - it depends where it’s made, whether or not it’s oaked and how mature it is when you drink it. I’m sharing my favourite food pairings for every style of Chardonnay—whether you’re sipping a steely Chablis, a rich Californian, or something in between. We’ll dive into the best dishes to bring out the vibrant fruit, balance the acidity, and complement those creamy textures. Here are some food pairings to suit different styles:

Top food pairings for four different styles of chardonnay

Young, unoaked, cool climate chardonnay

Such as: The classic and most austere example of this is Chablis but other young white burgundies would fall into this category.
Good matches:
They’re perfect with light and delicate food such as raw and lightly cooked shellfish like crab and prawns and steamed or grilled fish.
If you want to serve chardonnay with appetizers think fish pâtés, fish, chicken or vegetable terrines.
This style also goes well with pasta or risotto with spring vegetables and creamy vegetable soups.
Finer, more intense examples such as Puligny-Montrachet can take on raw fish such as sashimi or delicately spiced fish or salads.
Chablis is particularly good with oysters.

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Chargrilled baby lamb, salad and Rueda

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Salad caprese and malagousia

Comments: 11 (Add)

Fiona Beckett on March 26 2020 at 17:44

Thanks Terry - there are ALWAYS new and delicious pairings to be discovered so thanks for pointing that out. Definitely will try it!

Terry on March 26 2020 at 17:10

Yes, Chardonnay is the queen of white grapes (with Riesling perhaps the close runner up). I take issue with only one "Not so great" comment - regarding smoked fish. I have never been a fan of old fashioned over-oaked New World offerings, but do try a bottle of inexpensive old style Australian chardonnay when you next have smoked haddock (undyed of course), simply poached in milk and butter. It really works!

Tom on May 7 2018 at 16:41

I have a 2011 Art Series that needs drinking. Any suggestions on a tasty pairing?

Vlad on October 31 2016 at 08:57

If not for your recommendation I'd never buy pumpkin ravioli. Indeed, they went well with rich Chardonnay; and, alas, drinking it with grilled salmon was a waste. I wrote more about my experience here: https://www.baucalis.com/pinnaroo-partners-reserve-chardonnay-2013/

Mike Hadwin on September 22 2016 at 12:49

One of my all time favorite matches for an oak aged Chardonnay is Chicken Pie! It's delicious with the butteryness of the pastry and the creaminess of the sauce with the chicken. Mmm.

Fiona Beckett on August 31 2016 at 08:13

Glad you're finding it useful, Irma and JC

Irma on August 31 2016 at 04:46

really was very useful site, my knowledge about wines is more strong then before.. Thanks.

Jc on July 16 2016 at 22:25

Love the site. Thanks!

Laura on October 30 2014 at 00:12

Nice tips, thank you!

Fiona Beckett on November 22 2012 at 06:54

Pleasure! Glad you found them useful, Marcelo.

marcelo fernandes on November 21 2012 at 22:29

Good tips. thank you