Welcome to the simple joy of pairing wine with ham. We’ve put together a guide that’s easy to follow, with the goal of turning your ham meals into something extraordinary. We’ll walk you through some great wines that not only complement but also elevate the flavors of your favorite ham dishes.
In choosing the right wine to pair with ham, there are some basic principles to keep in mind. The goal is to find wines that either contrast or complement the key flavors of ham, which typically include saltiness, sweetness, and smokiness. Wines with a good balance of acidity can cut through the meat’s richness, making lighter reds and crisp white wines excellent choices. Slightly sweeter wines can also harmonize beautifully with ham’s salty and smoky notes. Below, we’ll discuss 12 wines that achieve these pairing objectives exceptionally well.
Pinot Noir
Type: Red
Flavor Profile: Red fruit, earthy, floral
Best Paired With: Smoked ham, honey-glazed ham
Description: Pinot Noir offers a wonderful contrast to ham, especially when you’re dealing with smoky or honey-glazed varieties. The wine’s fruity and earthy notes provide a nice counterbalance to the richness of the meat, while its lighter body ensures that it won’t overpower the ham. Its subtle acidity also helps in cutting through the fattiness of the dish. If you’re having a large Easter dinner gathering and need to choose a wine, Pinot Noir is a good choice.
Riesling
Type: White
Flavor Profile: Fruity, floral, mineral
Best Paired With: Spiral-cut ham, ham with pineapple
Description: Riesling, especially an off-dry Riesling, is excellent for pairing with ham dishes that incorporate sweeter elements like fruit glazes. The wine’s own sweet and fruity flavors harmonize with the sweetness in the ham, while its crisp acidity helps cleanse the palate.
Pinot Gris
Type: White
Flavor Profile: Green apple, pear, citrus
Best Paired With: Boiled ham, baked ham
Description: Pinot Gris is a light and crisp wine that works particularly well with simpler ham dishes like boiled or baked ham. Its bright acidity and light fruit flavors don’t compete with the meat but elevate its natural flavors instead.
Sauvignon Blanc
Type: White
Flavor Profile: Green apple, lime, tropical fruit
Best Paired With: Herb-crusted ham, cold ham salads
Description: The zesty and herbaceous qualities of Sauvignon Blanc make it a good match for ham dishes that feature herbal or green notes. The wine’s lively acidity also complements the fattiness of the ham, creating a balanced dining experience.
Zinfandel
Type: Red
Flavor Profile: Black fruit, spice, pepper
Best Paired With: Barbecued ham, spiced ham
Description: Zinfandel is a robust, flavorful wine that pairs well with equally hearty and spiced ham dishes. Its peppery and spicy characteristics can handle and even enhance the bold flavors of barbecued or spiced ham.
Chenin Blanc
Type: White
Flavor Profile: Green apple, pear, honey
Best Paired With: Honey-glazed ham, ham and cheese platter
Description: Chenin Blanc offers a balance of acidity and sweetness that makes it versatile for pairing with ham. The wine’s light honey notes can complement a sweet glaze, while its acidity can cut through richer, cheesy dishes.
Chardonnay
Type: White
Flavor Profile: Yellow apple, butter, oak
Best Paired With: Grilled ham, ham and creamy sauces
Description: A buttery Chardonnay can pair well with ham, particularly if the ham dish involves creamy sauces. The wine’s rich texture and oaky flavors can stand up to the ham’s complexity, creating a harmonious match.
Gamay
Type: Red
Flavor Profile: Red fruit, floral, earth
Best Paired With: Smoked ham, roasted ham
Description: Gamay is another light-bodied red wine with a similar profile to Pinot Noir. Its subtle tannins and vibrant fruit flavors make it a flexible choice for ham, especially smoked or roasted varieties.
Albariño
Type: White
Flavor Profile: Lemon, green apple, saline
Best Paired With: Ham tapas, thinly sliced ham
Description: Albariño, with its light body and hints of salinity, pairs wonderfully with small bites of ham, particularly in a tapas setting. Its citrusy notes and bright acidity make each bite feel fresh and inviting.
Cava
Type: Sparkling
Flavor Profile: Green apple, citrus, mineral
Best Paired With: Ham appetizers, ham and cheese canapés
Description: The bubbles in Cava make it a fun and refreshing choice for lighter ham dishes or appetizers. The wine’s crisp acidity and effervescence work well in cutting through the richness of the ham and cheese.
Prosecco
Type: Sparkling
Flavor Profile: Pear, green apple, floral
Best Paired With: Ham and melon, ham and fruit salads
Description: Prosecco’s light sweetness and fruity undertones make it a perfect match for ham dishes that incorporate fruit. The wine’s bubbles add a celebratory touch to the holiday meal while also aiding in palate cleansing.
Beaujolais Nouveau
Type: Red
Flavor Profile: Red fruit, banana, bubblegum
Best Paired With: Charcuterie, ham hock
Description: This young red wine, made from Gamay grapes, is fruity and extremely low in tannins, making it easy to drink and pair with various ham dishes. Its vibrant fruit flavors are a fun contrast to smoky and salty ham.
Whether you’re planning a Christmas dinner or a casual meal, there’s a perfect bottle of red, white, or even sparkling wine out there to elevate your ham dish. The key to a successful wine pairing for ham lies in striking a balance between the flavors and textures of both the wine and the food. So go ahead—uncork that bottle, carve some slices of succulent ham, and savor the harmonious blend of tastes and aromas that unfold.
