Wines to Pair With Classic Family Meals

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Wine and cooking are not just hobbies for me; they’re passions. I love nothing more than preparing a delicious meal for my loved ones and pairing it with a good wine. It’s like adding the cherry on top of a perfect day.

After spending a week in Napa Valley a couple of years ago, I learned more about wine, the grapes the different types are derived from, and how they pair with different savory or sweet flavors. It was an experience I’ll always cherish and utilize. 

Applying this knowledge, I have carefully created a list of some favorite meals in the United States and what grape varietals (and even some specific wine brands) are most compatible. I can’t wait to share this with you all.

1. Beef Wellington

Beef Wellington isn’t necessarily your most typical dinner served during the week. It is, however, a meal I like to prepare on special occasions, and it’s always a huge hit for those I share it with. But what wine pairs best with it?

The best choice is a robust red wine that complements the beef and pastry flavor. A rich, elegant Cabernet Sauvignon will do this. If you prefer something bolder that brings out the beef flavor more, I highly recommend a Syrah, which has peppery notes that will go excellently with the dish. 

Highly-rated Cabernet Sauvignon suggestion under $20: Noble Vines 337

Highly-rated Syrah suggestion under $20: 2022 Stolpman Vineyards La Cuadrilla

2. Pasta Carbonara

Who doesn’t love pasta carbonara? It’s considered one of the most popular dishes in Italy, so I’m sure this creamy dish is also featured on the family menu here in the States. It’s simple to prepare, featuring sweet pasta and egg yolk, oily guanciale, savory Pecorino Romano cheese, and aromatic pepper. 

Pair it with a wine with moderate acidity, strong intensity, and lingering persistence. In other words, a dry, medium to full-body white wine, like Pinot Blanc or a Rosé, will superbly complement the dish.

Highly-rated Pinot Blanc suggestion under $20: Lieb Cellars Estate Pinot Blanc

Highly-rated Rosé suggestion under $20: Stolpman Vineyards I Love You Bunches  

3. Pot Roast

One of my family’s favorite meals is the acclaimed Mississippi Pot Roast. It’s arguably one of the best recipes ever, with seasoned to perfection and tender meat that melts in your mouth. I typically serve it with whipped mashed potatoes and garlic-roasted green beans. 

The best wine to pair with this delicious meal is a Malbec. This rich, inky wine has soft tannins and juicy sweetness that pair well with pot roast and its sides. My preferred Malbec comes from Argentina; however, Chile and Cahors, France, also produce some excellent varieties. 

High-rated Malbec suggestion under $20: Altaland Malbec Mendoza, 2021

4. Steaks

Steaks with baked potatoes and a robust green salad are an exceptional favorite meal. But what wine goes best with it? Red wines tend to pair better with steaks or red meat in general, more so than white wines. This is because reds have higher tannins, which help release the meat’s flavor by dissolving the fat.  

Zinfandels pair well with steak due to their high alcohol content (14-17%) and moderate to high tannins. They offer a bold taste that complements fatty cuts like T-bone or ribeye. Their relative sweetness makes them an excellent match for steaks cooked with spicy seasoning. However, if you select a filet, you can generally choose a more fruity wine with a slightly lighter body.

Highly-rated Zinfandel suggestion under $20: Josh Reserve Bourbon Barrel Aged Zinfandel 

5. Tacos

Depending on the type of tacos you’re preparing, which wine pairs best with your meal will play a part. Pinot Noir pairs nicely with standard ground beef tacos; however, certain white wines, like Sauvignon Blanc, will taste nicely with your meal. If you make chicken or fish tacos, white wines and rosé will pair wonderfully. 

Sauvignon blanc is a medium-bodied, dry white wine with high acidity, herbaceous aromas, and a refreshing taste. It’s widely regarded as one of the best white wines for pairing with various foods, from mild to spicy dishes.

Highly-rated Sauvignon Blanc suggestion under $20: Kobal Sauvignon Blanc 2022

6. Baked Salmon

Baked salmon or any other type of flakey fish is a family meal loved by many. We typically enjoy this lemony dish at home with dill Jasmine rice and garlic-roasted asparagus. However, there are many ways to prepare this meal. As you can imagine, white wines pair best with baked fish. 

I like to complement the flavor wheel with Chardonnay, whether it be lemon and dill or tomato and basil. This particular varietal can have notes of Meyer lemons, nuts, and brulée, as well as more subtle green herbal notes, creating an explosion of flavor with the salmon. 

Highly-rated Chardonnay suggestion under $20: Gérard Bertrand 2020 Cote des Roses Chardonnay

7. Lasagna

The type of wine that pairs best with lasagna will depend on the kind of lasagna you’re having. If it’s the traditional beef or sausage dish, it pairs well with ripe, juicy red wines like Barbera, Gamay, lighter Carignan, or Sangiovese. However, you’ll want to avoid wines with too much oak or tannin. Vegetarian lasagna pairs well with lightly oaked Chardonnay, and mushroom lasagna goes great with Pinot Noir. 

Lasagna with red sauce pairs well with a light red wine to avoid overpowering the dish. A tart, medium-bodied red like Chianti can also highlight the acidity of the tomatoes.

Highly-rated Pinot Noir suggestion under $20: Argyle Pinot Noir

Highly-rated Chianti suggestion under $20: Cecchi Chianti Classico Storia Di Famiglia

8. Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken pot pie is a beloved American comfort food. A flakey, buttery pie shell filled with flavorful and tender chicken, peas, carrots, potatoes, and onions swimming in a creamy sauce–what’s not to love? What varietal of wine elevates this classic dish, though?

A crisp, clean white wine like a Chablis is my favorite wine to pair with it, while others might choose a Chardonnay or even an Italian Franciacorta. All are excellent choices and will bring out the aromatic flavors of the dish. However, Chablis tends to be a bit pricier than other types of wines, but you can still get some good ones under $30. 

Highly-rated Chablis suggestion under $30: 2014 Dampt Freres Chablis Premier Cru Les Fourneaux

9. Shrimp Scampi

A dry, crisp white wine pairs perfectly with shrimp scampi, enhancing the dish’s flavors. Some seasoned chefs might even suggest adding a splash of the wine to the recipe for added depth. 

Ideal pairings include Sauvignon Blanc, with its bright acidity and herbaceous notes, Pinot Grigio or Gris for its light and zesty profile, and Chardonnay for a richer, buttery complement. These wines elevate the shrimp’s delicate taste and balance the garlic and lemon typically found in scampi recipes.

Highly-rated Pinot Gris suggestion under $20: 2022 J Vineyards & Winery Pinot Gris

10. Pork Tenderloin

Roasted pork tenderloin represents the closest pork to white meat. These lean cuts benefit from high-temperature, short-duration cooking and are best seasoned with citrus and herbs like oregano, rosemary, or marjoram. 

White wine with bold floral and herbaceous qualities goes excellent with this meal. Viognier from Condrieu (one of my favorites) offers aromatic notes of peach and honeysuckle. Chenin Blanc from the Loire provides a crisp, versatile profile with hints of apple and quince. These wines enhance the delicate flavors of the pork and complement the herbal seasoning.

Highly-rated Viognier suggestion under $20: McManis Family Vineyards Estate-Grown Viognier

11. Chicken Teriyaki

Chicken teriyaki, or even stir-fry with a teriyaki glaze, is a popular meal many Americans prepare. One key pairing consideration for this dish is balancing the sweetness and richness of the teriyaki sauce with wines that offer complementary flavors and refreshing acidity.

Riesling from the Alsace region pairs perfectly with this dish. Its zesty citrus and stone fruit flavors complement the teriyaki sauce’s sweetness, while its acidity cuts through its richness. Lambrusco, with its red cherry and strawberry notes, also harmonizes with the teriyaki’s sweetness, and its bubbles are refreshing.

Highly-rated Riesling suggestion under $20: Weis 2019 Dry Riesling (Finger Lakes)

Highly-rated Lambrusco suggestion under $20: Medici Ermete Quercioli Secco

12. Beef Stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff hails from Russia and East European countries. Its creamy sauce ladled over tenderly seared flank steak bursting with flavor is a delicious meal many Americans enjoy regularly. Wine pairing considerations include Barbaresco and Amarone.

Barbaresco is not your everyday drinking wine, as bottles can cost a pretty penny. However, its sour cherry and dried herb flavors cut through the creamy sauce, while the Nebbiolo grape’s natural acidity enhances the beef’s flavors. Amarone also complements Stroganoff with its intense cherry, dark chocolate, and dried fruit notes, adding depth and standing up well to the dish’s richness.

Highly-rated Amarone suggestion under $25: 2017 Cecilia Beretta Amarone della Valpolicella 

13. Baked Ziti

A specialty dish of mine is Baked Ziti. There are many recipes for this delicious cheesy dish online; however, I have perfected my own take on the classic Italian dish over the years. Filled with slightly spicy sausage and a variety of fresh vegetables in a robust red sauce, I prefer to pair this meal with a bottle of Barbera or Sancerre. 

Barbera’s sour red and black fruit contrasts the savory elements of Baked Ziti, while its acidity refreshes the palate. With its citrus and gooseberry flavors, Sancerre also pairs well, cutting through the creamy cheese and complementing the dish’s herbs.

Highly-rated Sancerre suggestion under $25: Jean Reverdy et Fils Sancerre’ La Reine Blanche’ 

14. Fajitas

If you choose not to have margaritas with the classic Mexican dish of Fajitas, there are some excellent wine pairings you can partake in instead. However, keep in mind whether you’re serving chicken or beef fajitas. This will make a difference in which selection you make. 

Pairing wine with fajitas balances savory, smoky, and spicy flavors. For chicken fajitas, try Falanghina, New Zealand Pinot Noir, Albariño, or Frontenac. Recommended wines for beef fajitas are Argentinian Malbec, Loire Cabernet Franc, California Zinfandel, and Alentejo.

Highly-rated Albariño suggestion under $20: 2013 Paco & Lola Albariño

Highly-rated Alentejo suggestion under $20: 2017 Herdade Sao Miguel Colheita Seleccionada Red