Best Wines with Dinner

Appetizers & First Courses

Pino Gris, (Dry) Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc

Pino Blanc, Gamay Beaujolais, Barbera

Asparagus

Sauvignon (Fume) Blanc, (Dry) Riesling, Vidal Blanc

Carpaccio (BEEF)

Barbera, Cabernet Rose, Rhone Blends

Carpaccio (TUNA)

Sauvignon (Fume) Blanc, Vin Gris

Caviar

Brut Sparkling Wine

Clams (Raw or Casino)

Sauvignon (Fume) Blanc, Brut Sparkling Wine

(Dry) Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Seyval Blanc

Cold Meats

Vin Gris, Riesling, Gamay Beaujolais, Barbera

Seyval Blanc, (Dry) Vignoles, Chambourcin Rose

Crudites

Pinot Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay

Gamay Beaujolais

Foie Gras

Brut Sparkling Wine, Late-Harvest Riesling

Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Noir

Nicoise Salad

Sauvignon (Fume) Blanc

Nuts and/or Olives

Brut Sparkling Wine

Oysters (RAW)

Sauvignon (Fume) Blanc, Brut Sparkling Wine, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, (Dry) Riesling, Pinot Blanc

Pasta Salad

Semillon, Sauvignon (Fume) Blanc, (Dry) Chenin Blanc, (Dry) Riesling

Pasta & Cream Sause

Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc

Pasta with Shellfish

Sauvignon (Fume) Blanc, Chardonnay

Pasta with Tomato Sauce

Barbera, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Rhone Blends

Pasta with Vegetables

Pinot Blanc, Dry Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Gamay Beaujolais, Barbera

Pates

Gewurztraminer, Seyval Blanc, Gamay Beaujolais, Riesling, Brut Sparkling Wine, Cabernet Franc, Vin Gris

Prosciutto & Melon

Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Late Harvest Riesling or Gewurztraminer, Muscat

Quiche

Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Gamay Beaujolais

Scallops

Sauvignon (Fume) Blanc, Chardonnay, Brut Sparkling Wine, Pinot Noir, Semillon

Smoked Fish (Trout, Herring)

Riesling, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Brut Sparkling Wine

Soups

Usually none, or (Solera) Sherry

Seafood

Crab

Sauvignon (Fumé) Blanc, Brut Sparkling Wine, Chardonnay, Sake, White Rhône Varietals (e.g. Roussanne, Marsanne)

Lobster

Brut Sparkling Wine, Chardonnay, Sake, White Rhône Varietals (e.g. Roussanne, Marsanne)

Mussels

Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon (Fumé) Blanc

Red Snapper

Chardonnay, Sauvignon (Fumé) Blanc

Salmon

Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Sémillon, Vin Gris

Salmon Tartare

Brut Sparkling Wine, Pinot Gris, Sake

Sashimi, Sushi

Brut Sparkling Wine, Semi-Dry Riesling, Sake

Shrimp

Pinot Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon (Fumé) Blanc, Chardonnay, Colombard, Vidal Blanc

Striped Bass

Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Viognier, (Dry) Vignoles

Swordfish

Sauvignon (Fumé) Blanc, Brut Sparkling Wine, Vin Gris, Pinot Noir

Tuna

Sauvignon (Fumé) Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Vin Gris, Chardonnay

Other White Fish

Chardonnay, Viognier, Dry Riesling, Sémillon

Meat and Poultry

Chicken

Chardonnay, Vin Gris, Riesling, Merlot, Gamay Beaujolais, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir, (Lighter) Cabernet Sauvignon

Chicken Salad

Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc

Chicken (Smoked)

Vin Gris, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel

Duck

Pinot Noir, Merlot, Rosé Sparkling Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel

Ham

Vin Gris, Gamay Beaujolais, Merlot

Hamburger

Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Syrah, Chancellor, Barbera, Zinfandel, Rhône Blends

Pheasant

Pinot Noir, Syrah

Quail

Pinot Noir

Rabbit

Riesling, Pinot Noir, Barbera, Merlot, Zinfandel

Steak

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rhône Blends, Zinfandel, Meritage, Norton or Cynthiana, Syrah, Brut Sparkling Wine

Turkey

Merlot, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Gamay Beaujolais

Veal

Chardonnay, Barbera, Merlot, Cynthiana

Venison

Syrah, Rhône Blends, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Norton, Chancellor, Cabernet Sauvignon

Other Main Courses

Coucous

Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Rosé Sparkling Wine, Syrah, Vin Gris

Curry, Fish or Chicken

Riesling, (Chilled) Gamay Beaujolais, Sauvignon (Fumé) Blanc,

Moussaka

Merlot, Sangiovese, Barbera, Zinfandel

Pizza

Barbera, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Brut or Rosé Sparkling Wine, Cabernet Rosé

Spicy Chinese

Dry (and off-dry) Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Brut or Rosé Sparkling Wine, Merlot

Spicy Mexican

Dry (and off-dry) Riesling, Vin Gris, Chenin Blanc, (Chilled) Gamay Beaujolais

Thai

Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Brut or Rosé Sparkling Wine

Desserts

Apple Pie

Late-Harvest Riesling, Various Ice Wines, Muscat, Demi-sec Sparkling Wines, Blueberry Wine

Berries

Brut Sparkling Wines, Demi-sec Sparkling Wines, Late-Harvest Riesling, Muscat, Zinfandel

Chocolate

Late-Harvest Riesling, Raspberry Wine, Black Muscat, Cabernet Sauvignon

Cakes

Demi-sec Sparkling Wines, Late-Harvest Riesling, Muscat, Various Ice Wines

Creams, Custards, Pudding

Demi-sec Sparkling Wines, Late-Harvest Riesling, Muscat, Various Ice Wines

Fresh Fruits

Late-Harvest Chenin Blanc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Muscat

Ice Cream, Sorbets

Usually none, perhaps fruit wine or fruit liqueurs

Nuts

Port, Brut Sparkling Wine, Angelica

Tiramisu

Angelica