Sauvignon Blanc Food Pairing
Updated July 19th 2023
Sauvignon Blanc food pairing is an interesting topic, as this wine is a favorite for many people. This crisp and herbaceous wine pairs wonderfully with a wide range of dishes, snacks and cheeses. This guide will help you to find the best food for Sauvignon Blanc.
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular grape varieties in the world. Wine of this grape is made in almost every wine-producing country and there are many different styles available. With characteristic flavors of gooseberry, passionfruit and herbs, it pairs very well with a wide range of dishes.
About Sauvignon Blanc Wine
Sauvignon Blanc, which means “Wild White” in French, is one of the most common white grape varieties. It is originally from Bordeaux in France, but today Sauvignon Blanc is planted all over the world. There are many different styles and flavors, but it is mostly produced in a crisp light-bodied style with high acidity.
Depending on where it is grown, Sauvignon Blanc can express different aromas. The most common are gooseberry, grass, citrus, dried herbs, mineral and passion fruit. Some of the most famous wine regions for Sauvignon Blanc wines are Bordeaux and Loire in France, Marlborough in New Zealand and Sonoma in the USA. Chile, South Africa, Spain, Australia and Italy also produce good quality Sauvignon Blanc wines.
Sauvignon Blancs from France are usually more mineral, with aromas of citrus, gooseberry and herbs. Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand are more expressive, with noticable aromas of tropical fruit. For Sauvignon Blanc with the typical "green" profile, try one from South Africa.
Sauvignon Blanc food pairing
Sauvignon blanc goes well with a wide range of foods. When pairing food with this wine, you need to consider the characteristics of the food and the wine.
- Fresh, light & crisp profile - pair with equally light and fresh food, such as fish and shellfish.
- High acidity - possible to pair the wine with fatty dishes (containing butter, olive oil or cream), as well as acidic condiments such as lemon.
- Herbaceous aromas - pair with "green" dishes with herbs (parsley, rosemary, oregano, thyme etc.) and different types of vegetables.
Sauvignon Blanc should always be served cold. The ideal serving temperature is 7-10°C (45-48°F).
Sauvignon Blanc with Cheese
Sauvignon Blanc together with goat cheese is one of the most classic wine and food pairings. The herbaceous character of the wine brings out the nutty and herbal flavors of the cheese. Sauvignon Blanc is also a great wine choice to serve together with a cheese platter with different types of cheeses. If you want to know more about different types of goat cheese and their perfect Sauvignon Blanc pairings, you can read about it in our extensive wine and cheese guide.
Sauvignon Blanc with Fish and Seafood
The crisp and light character of Sauvignon Blanc makes it an excellent paring with light fish dishes and seafood. A glass of Sauvignon Blanc with oysters will taste delicious thanks to the combination of mineral and citrus flavors. It also matches very well with delicate fish dishes, including salmon with herbs and lemon.
Sauvignon Blanc with Poultry
White meats like chicken and turkey also pair well with Sauvignon Blanc. Especially poultry with dried or fresh herbs and lemon flavors will pair excellently with a glass of herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc. Chicken dishes with tropical fruits like pineapple will taste delicious with a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. The aromas of tropical fruit in the wine match well with the sweet and savory flavors of the food.
Tips! Sauvignon Blanc is also a good choice for Thai food due to its aromas of lemongrass and basil.
Sauvignon Blanc with Vegetarian food
Pairing vegetarian food and wine can be tricky, but a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc is often a good choice. This wine matches well with lighter dishes like raw salad or boiled vegetables. Many raw vegetables taste bitter, which makes them difficult to pair with wine. Bitter vegetables include ruccola, kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, asparagus, artichokes and radish. A crisp herbaceous white wine like Sauvignon Blanc is a good option with bitter foods.
Vegetarian food offers a great variety of different flavors, cooking methods and ingredients. To learn more about the best wine for vegetarian dishes, we recommend our wine guide for vegetarian food.
Sauvignon Blanc with Pasta
Pasta pesto and Sauvignon blanc are a great match since both the food and wine have green flavors and high acidity. With its high acidity, Sauvignon Blanc also pairs well with pastas with cream, lemon, garlic or vinaigrette.
Sauvignon Blanc with Desserts
Believe it or not, it is possible to drink Sauvignon Blanc together with some desserts. The fruitiness in the wine pairs well with tart and tangy fruity desserts, such as lemon pie or passion fruit pavlova.
Tips! Choose Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand, Australia, or California, if you want a more fruity style of this wine.
Sauvignon Blanc with Snacks
Sauvignon Blanc is a good wine choice for many different snacks, such as potato chips, nuts and salty crackers. This grassy wine pairs especially well with herbaceous snacks, such as marinated green olives, or basically anything with herbs. Sauvignon Blanc can also be enjoyed by itself as an aperitif.
Enjoy your bottle of Sauvignon blanc with your food!
