The best food pairings for rosé

Rosé was once considered a summer wine but increasingly more people are drinking it year round with almost every type of food and on any and every occasion. But what food goes with rosé?

As with white or red wine, the best pairings depends on the style of rosé you’re drinking and whether they’re dry, sweet or sparkling.

In this guide, I’ll take you through food pairings for eight distinct styles of rosé:

• Crisp Dry Rosés e.g. Provençal rosé
• Fruity Rosés, e.g. Pinot noir rosé
• Medium Dry Rosés, e.g. White zinfandel and White grenache
• Fuller-Bodied Dry Rosés, e.g. Spanish rosados from Rioja and Navarra
• Elegant, Fruity Rosés, e.g. Merlot-based Bordeaux rosé, high-end Provençal rosés like Bandol and Palette
• Full-Bodied Fruity Rosés, e.g. Syrah, Malbec, Cabernet rosés from Argentina, Australia and Chile
• Inexpensive sparkling Rosé e.g. prosecco,  cava and crémant
• Rosé Champagne and champagne-style sparkling wines

For each style, I’ll share my top food pairings that bring out the best in both the wine and the dish. Whether you’re planning a casual brunch, a seafood feast, or even a spicy barbecue, there’s a rosé and a match for every occasion.

The best food pairings for 8 different styles of rosé

1) Crisp dry rosés - e.g. Most Provençal rosés fall into this category as does Italian Bardolino Chiaretto
The nearest equivalent to this style of rosé are crisp dry white wines such as Pinot Grigio and they go with similar food. Food pairings for most Provencal rosé and similar dry rosés include light salads, light pasta and rice dishes, raw or lightly cooked shellfish like oysters, grilled fish and goats’ cheeses. See also The Best Food Pairings for Provence Rose

Greek rosés are often made in this style too. See this pairing with prawns with ouzo, orzo and courgette. You can find the recipe from  Marianna Leivaditaki’s book Aegean here. Photo by Elena Heatherwick

2) Fruity rosés e.g. pinot noir rosés and off-dry Loire and traditional Portuguese rosés with a touch of sweetness such as Rosé d’Anjou and Mateus Rosé
Pinot noir rosés are sweeter than Provence rosé but still dry. They a good match with salads and mildly spiced chicken or fish dishes. English rosés which are often made from pinot noir pair surprisingly well with a Thai green curry as in this pairing  

Pairings for off-dry Loire and Portuguese rosés depend on your tolerance for sweetness. If you like a sweeter rosé drink them with similar food to the Provence rosés above. If you don’t try them with Indian food like tandoori chicken or a mild chicken curry.

3) Medium dry rosés - e.g. white Zinfandel or white grenache
The category that used to be called blush. Again, if this is the style you like you’ll want to drink it with all the foods mentioned in 1) above. But those who prefer this style of rosé may also find it useful with spicy food and as a dessert wine (it’s spot on with unsweetened strawberries and not oversweet strawberry tarts)

See this match of the week of strawberries and white zinfandel.

4) Fuller-bodied dry rosés e.g. Southern French (Rhône and Languedoc) and Spanish rosés from Rioja and Navarra
A hugely versatile style that will stand up to big flavours such as anchovy, olives, garlic, saffron and pimenton. So they would be the ideal style to drink with tapenade or a salade Niçoise, a paella or grilled chicken, fish or lamb with herbs. A good wine for barbecues if you don’t like your rosés as strong and sweet as 6) below. Also enjoyable with rustic pâtés and terrines, other charcuterie, ham and sheep cheese.

These rosés are also a good wine pairing for brie, camembert and other white-rinded cheeses so long as you don’t let them get too ripe and runny. Fresh figs make a good accompaniment.

5) Elegant, fruity rosés - e.g. Merlot-based Bordeaux rosé, More expensive Provençal rosés such as Bandol and Palette
These are classy rosés, designed to be drunk with food. Drink them with quality seafood such as lobster and langoustines, seared salmon and tuna, a duck salad or with delicately cooked rare lamb. 

6) Full-bodied fruity rosés - e.g. Syrah, malbec and cabernet rosé from Argentina, Australia and Chile
Nearer a full-bodied red than a rosé - big, bold and bursting with fruit. Often quite high in alcohol but it tends not to show because they’re not tannic and served chilled which makes them ideal for a barbecue and for drinking with spicy food such as curries. Also good with ripe peaches. Very much the modern rosé for contemporary food.

See this rosé pairing for spaghetti with courgettes, basil and smoked almonds. Although the wine is from Bordeaux it’s made in a more full-bodied style. 

7) Sparkling rosé e.g. Cava, Australian, South African and New Zealand sparkling rosé
Sparkling rosé covers a range of styles from dry to medium dry. Lighter, drier ones make ideal party drinking (Cava rosado is good wine pairing with tapas). Sweeter styles of sparkling rosé like rosé prosecco would be a good wine pairing at a tea party with macarons, cakes and fruit tarts.

8) Rosé Champagne - Again there’s a variation in style between lighter and more full-bodied champagnes or sparkling wines. The best food pairings for lighter styles of rosé champagne include canapés and the type of foods mentioned in (1) above. More substantial vintage brut rosé Champagne can take on grilled lobster and grilled or roast rare lamb or game like pigeon, pheasant or grouse.

Photo credits: Top image by Foxys Forest Manufacture at shutterstock.com. Salad nicoise by Tatiana Brainina at shutterstock.com. Brie and figs by Nati at pexels.com, Lobster by Olga Lyubkin at Fotolia.com. Thai green curry by iblinova at Adobe Stock

 

The best wine pairings for Navarra wines

Advertising feature: Navarra is one of the most forward-looking of Spanish wine regions offering boldly flavoured wines that are a match for a wide range of dishes.

Although its reputation was built on strong dry rosés (rosados) it now offers a range of generous, full-bodied reds that combine local grape varieties such as garnacha and tempranillo with international grape varieties such as merlot and cabernet sauvignon creating wines you can enjoy with many different cuisines.

What food to pair with Navarra’s best-loved wines

GARNACHA

Barbecued brisket by Andrei Iakhniuk at shutterstock.com

Garnacha (grenache) is a red grape variety native to Navarra which has been revived by producers around the region with some stunning results. It makes rich generous wines that are high in alcohol and therefore perfectly suited to red meat from barbecued brisket to lingeringly slow-cooked ox cheek or oxtail.

It’s perfect with the pork and bean dishes that characterise winter eating in the region but would be equally good with hearty dishes from further afield such Korea’s dwaeji bulgogi or beef in black bean sauce. (It isn’t afraid of either sweetness or spice). It’s also great - and you must try this - with a goulash.

If you don’t eat meat think vegetarian dishes based on pulses such as beans and lentils or the substantial savoury flavour of ingredients such as portabella mushrooms and aubergines. (Try it with the Chinese dish fish-fragrant aubergines which, incidentally, doesn’t include fish!)

In terms of cheese I’d be looking to blue cheeses such as Gorgonzola and Stilton and maybe even Spain’s punchy Cabrales.

Oh, and don’t forget roast turkey! Garnacha is the perfect wine for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

One to try: El Chaparral de Vega Sindoa 2019 Old Vines Garnacha

A bright, fresh garnacha with vivid intense fruit.

TEMPRANILLO-BASED RED WINE BLENDS

Gourmet burger by Marian Weyo at shutterstock.com

Navarra has gone its own way with its reds in recent years, blending international grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with its own Tempranillo, creating a unique modern style that’s both elegant and accessible.

If you want to keep it straightforward, particularly with older vintages stick to simply grilled or roasted meat, especially lamb which is wonderful in that part of Spain. This is also a great style to enjoy with a rare breed steak or with venison, especially if cooked in a red wine sauce. (You can sneak a bit to use in the recipe!)

These tempranillo blends are also great with a gourmet burger, especially with cheese or with roasted or grilled portabella mushrooms. In fact it’s hard to think of a better pairing than a good cheeseboard with maybe some of Spain’s fantastic jamon iberico (iberico ham) and other cold meats on the side. Seek out Spanish cheeses such as the local Roncal and Zamorano as well as the more widely available Manchego.

One to try: Principe de Viana Edicion Limitada 2017 (Great Grog has the 2018)

An elegant smooth, ripe, cabernet-based blend.

CHARDONNAY

Scallops in garlic butter by DronG at shutterstock.com

Chardonnay in Navarra is opulent and generous, among the best that Spain produces with a lovely lifted freshness that makes them particularly good with seafood.

You probably don’t need me to tell you what works with chardonnay but think of a Dover sole, swimming in butter, a fat grilled lobster (and chips) and a beautiful crisp roast chicken. Anything - chicken, pasta, mushrooms - with a creamy sauce - or a pie topping come to that. A chicken and tarragon pie with chardonnay is wickedly good as is s fine fish pie. Or a plate of roasted scallops and garlic butter (all to yourself!)

Corn is wonderful with chardonnay as is butternut squash so how about a butternut squash lasagna or risotto? Or indulge yourself with a glass for Sunday lunch - it’s perfect with eggs benedict.

Cheese might provide the one surprise though. I love a good red with cheddar but Navarra chardonnay is just as good. Give it a go!

One to try: Castillo Monjardín Chardonnay 2020

A rich, powerful chardonnay but, surprisingly, unoaked. The fact it’s grown at 650m of altitude contributes to its freshness.

ROSADO

Image by Kiattipong at shutterstock.com

The first thing that strikes you about Navarra rosé or rosado as it’s called in the region is the colour which is a deep intense, almost magenta like pink. That doesn’t mean it’s sweet, merely fruity with the structure to stand up to some punchy flavours. I immediately think of barbecue - it could cope with all those spicy marinades and sauces but it would be great with spicy south-east Asian food too. I love a rosado with a Thai green curry.

Nearer to home in Spain this style of rosé is great with paella, especially pork and rabbit-based ones and the perfect wine to take you through an evening of tapas. It would be great with the Navarra speciality menestra, a glorious soupy stew of spring vegetables. It can even handle tricky-to-match artichokes!

It’s obviously going to rub along just fine with seafood, especially lobster (again) or those wonderful Carabineros red prawns.

In terms of cheeses I’d pair a rosado with sheep cheeses and, particularly, goat cheeses. A Monte Enebro, one of my favourite goat cheeses, would be perfect.

One to try: Ozalder Rosado 2020

Deep, deep pink with bright cherry aromas and flavours.The classic Navarra style.

This is an advertising feature in association with D.O. Navarra

Top image © Brent Hofacker at shutterstock.com

Which wine to drink with paella?

Paella, the iconic Spanish dish, pairs beautifully with a range of wines, but choosing between white, red, or rosé depends on the type of paella you’re enjoying and its key ingredients.

Recipes vary - and are much argued over - but traditionally the dish either includes chicken or rabbit or seafood like prawns, mussels or clams - not meat and seafood in the same dish.

Nowadays the idea of what goes into a paella is less strict though so here’s a guide to the wine pairings I think work best for different recipes whether they’re based on seafood (paella de mariscos), meat, a mixture of the two (paellal mixta) or vegetarian versions (paella de verduras). 

You’ll find that the wine you choose doesn’t need to be overly complex or expensive to complement paella perfectly. Instead, focus on wines with fresh, vibrant flavors that enhance the dish’s key ingredients without overwhelming them. Crisp whites, fruity rosés, and light-to-medium reds (and even sherry!) all have their place, depending on the style of paella being served. 

How paella’s serving style can influence the match

Paella is typically eaten at a relaxed sort of family gathering so I wouldn’t advocate anything too grand. 

A chilled dry rosé from Navarra or Rioja (one of the more traditional bottlings, not the more fruit driven rosés made in a New World style) generally hits the spot perfectly but there’s absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t drink an inexpensive red Rioja or other medium-bodied tempranillo or garnacha (grenache) or garnacha blends (again lightly chilled till cool rather than at room temperature). But I’d avoid ‘fruit-bombs’ or overly alcoholic, tannic reds.

Looking outside Spain, lighter reds and rosés from the neighbouring Languedoc-Roussillon would work well as would the new wave of characterful roussanne, marsanne and viognier-based Languedoc whites if white wine is your preference.

What I look for in a white with paella is an earthy richness rather than a sharp citrussy or floral character so I personally wouldn’t go for a sauvignon blanc or a riesling. (You’ll enjoy them more, I think, with simply prepared fried or grilled seafood on its own.)

Wine pairings for popular types of paella

Paella comes in many variations, each with its own unique set of ingredients and regional influences. Here are some of the most popular types of paella and the wines to go with them:

Paella Valenciana

Traditionally made with chicken, rabbit, and sometimes snails, along with green beans, white beans, tomatoes, rosemary, and saffron. This is the original paella from the Valencia region and often includes a mix of land-based proteins rather than seafood.

Wine pairing: A medium-bodied red wine like Tempranillo or Garnacha. 

Paella de Marisco (Seafood Paella)

This popular version focuses solely on seafood, such as prawns, mussels, clams, squid, and fish. It omits meat and relies on seafood stock to enrich the rice with a briny, oceanic flavour.

Wine pairing: A crisp, citrusy white wine like Albariño or Verdejo

Paella Mixta (Mixed Paella)

A fusion of meat (usually chicken or rabbit) and seafood, this type of paella also includes vegetables, making it a versatile and widely loved choice. It’s a more modern creation compared to the traditional styles.

Wine pairing: A versatile option like a dry rosé from Provence or a light, chilled red like a Mencía.

Paella de Verduras (Vegetable Paella)

This vegetarian version is packed with seasonal vegetables like artichokes, bell peppers, tomatoes, peas, and green beans. It’s often flavoured with herbs and spices but excludes meat and seafood.

Wine pairing: A light, herbaceous white wine such as a Verdejo or a Sauvignon Blanc.

Paella Negra (Black Paella or Arroz Negro)

Made with squid or cuttlefish and tinted with squid ink, which gives the dish its distinctive black colour. It has a rich, briny taste and is usually garnished with aioli for added flavour.

Wine pairing: A crisp, mineral-driven Albariño or a Godello from Galicia.

Paella de Mar y Montaña (Surf and Turf Paella)

Combines elements from both sea and land, such as chicken or pork with seafood like prawns or squid. It offers a mix of flavours and textures, blending the best of both worlds.

Wine pairing: A medium-bodied rosé, such as one from Navarra or a Garnacha rosé.

Paella de Bogavante (Lobster Paella)

A luxurious variation featuring lobster as the star ingredient, often paired with other seafood for a rich and indulgent meal.

Wine pairing: a fuller-bodied chardonnay always works well with lobster or try an oaked white rioja.

Image by EstudioWebDoce from Pixabay

6 of the best Spanish wines to pair with tapas

It shouldn't come as a massive surprise that Spain can provide any style of wine you might fancy to drink with tapas.

Which to choose depends of course on your own personal taste and on the type of food you’re serving. Tapas can embrace everything from a few nuts and olives to more elaborate hot dishes like mushrooms and meatballs but here are the six wines I think work best.

Sherry*

Being a sherry fan I was bound to put it at the top of the list but in my view you can’t beat a good, freshly opened, well-chilled fino with the basic tapas of almonds, olives, manchego (cheese) and jamon. (Especially jamon!) Though with hot tapas like chorizo, mushrooms and meatballs (albondigas) I’d choose an amontillado. Waitrose has got a particularly good range under the Solera label.

Cava

Spain’s sparkling wine has suffered a bit of a hit since consumers switched to prosecco to the extent that it’s now both under-priced and underrated. It’s also a really good match for fried tapas such as chipirones (squid) and croquetas.

Rosado

Rosado is the Spanish name for rosé. Most comes from Rioja and neighbouring Navarra and is generally stronger and deeper in colour than those from Provence, which means it can cope with big flavours like spicy chorizo and allioli. Another good all-rounder.

Rueda

If you like sauvignon blanc you’ll like Rueda - in fact that’s what it's sometimes contains although it’s more often based on the local verdejo which tastes very similar. Not all are good - they can have a coarse, catty taste about them - but the best are deliciously fresh and zesty. (Beronia does a good one which is stocked by Waitrose)

Rioja

I’m not talking about aged rioja here but young vivacious joven and crianza riojas that haven’t spent much time in barrel. They’re cheaper than the more mature reservas and gran reservas too. A good option for meatier tapas and for winter drinking.

Mencia

Perhaps the only one of these wines you might not be familiar with. It comes from Bierzo and Ribeira Sacra in the north-west of Spain and has a similar fruity character to Beaujolais. A good quaffing red for summer drinking, it would be good with cecina (cured beef), jamon iberico or indeed anything porky. (If you like it you’ll probably enjoy Bobal too)

* If you’d like to know more about sherry pairings download my book 101 Great Ways to Enjoy Sherry now.