Top pairings

Which wine to drink with paella?

Posted by Fiona Beckett (Google+) on July 23 2021 at 07:03

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.

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Tags: Spanish food white Rioja Viognier Marsanne Roussanne Roussillon Languedoc Grenache Garnacha Tempranillo Rioja Navarra rosado dry rosé paella food:pasta, rice & noodles food:chicken & poultry food:fish & shellfish

Comments: 9 (Add)

Warren on April 24 2021 at 17:14

There's always a Clyde

Daniel on November 7 2018 at 09:34

You will be more than welcome Fiona. Particularly for the Paella Valenciana I tend to pair it with Monastrell (Mourvedre) or some Garnacha (not specially fruity), but I guess that it also may work well with some oaked chardonnay or aged champagne or cava.

Fiona Beckett on November 7 2018 at 06:30

Well, Daniel - yours sounds the BEST version. Have always wanted to go to Valencia. Now I must!

Daniel on November 6 2018 at 23:22

I am Spanish from Valencia, the original hometown of Paella Valenciana; and this is ONLY meat. Chicken + Rabbit + vegetables + snails (surprise?!). It is very true that if you go to other areas of Spain you may find it mixed, specially in the touristic areas., but in Valencia - the hometown of Paella - mixing meat and fish is a Sin!!!

Fiona Beckett on January 12 2017 at 10:21

It is EXACTLY that kind of dish. Same with recipes like bouillabaisse and cassoulet. Which colour of rosé do you like?

The Chef on January 12 2017 at 09:46

Every paella I've ever eaten, albeit in Spain or elsewhere, has always included BOTH seafood and chicken. Just about every region and family has its own recipe and there is no rule saying you can't mix chicken and seafood -- in fact, most people do exactly that and the end result is heavenly. Great pairing advice Fiona. My preferred wine pairing with paella is Rioja; they go together perfectly.

mike on March 23 2013 at 14:49

clyde,
lighten up. like portuguese bachalua, there are several hundred different recipes, as every region, town or family had their own version.
so typically, as with most paella's ordered in a restaurant in a particular
area, that recipe would be the typical type dish. the area where I live, the typical paella is with seafood and chicken and chorizo.

Fiona Beckett on December 26 2012 at 08:36

That may be true but paella seems to have as many interpretations as cassoulet and is certainly often served outside Spain with chicken and seafood.

SC Clyde on December 26 2012 at 04:38

You are incorrect as to your assertion and implication that " typically (paella) will include chicken, prawns, mussels or clams, red peppers, pimenton and saffron-flavoured rice." A true Spanish paella will include meat OR seafood but NEVER both.

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