When it comes to wine pairings, salads often get overlooked but with the right wine, a simple salad can become a gourmet dish. So whether you’re enjoying a light lunch or an elegant dinner, these wine pairings will take your salad game to another level. Let’s explore some of the most common types of salads and the wines that complement them best.
Classic Caesar Salad
A classic Caesar salad, with its rich and creamy dressing, pairs beautifully with a crisp French Sauvignon Blanc like a Sancerre or a Pouilly-Fumé, or even a lightly oaked Chardonnay. The wine needs enough acidity to balance out the creaminess and complement the Parmesan cheese, chicken and anchovies.
Greek Salad
A Greek salad, with its fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta, calls for a vibrant and citrusy wine like Assyrtiko. The mineral and citrus notes of this Greek wine enhance the freshness of the vegetables and the saltiness of the feta.
Niçoise Salad
Niçoise salad, with its tuna, green beans, olives, tomatoes and hard-boiled eggs, pairs wonderfully with a local Provence Rosé. The wine’s bright acidity and delicate fruit notes match perfectly with the salad’s different flavours and Dijon vinaigrette.
Caprese Salad
Caprese salad, with its ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil, shines when paired with a zesty Sauvignon Blanc or Verdicchio, or just a dry Provence Rosé.
Classic Ranch Salad
A classic ranch salad, often made with mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and sometimes bacon or cheese, pairs beautifully with a lightly oaked Sauvignon Blanc or a slightly buttery Chardonnay from Oregon or Burgundy – enough freshness and citrus to cut through the creaminess of the ranch dressing and balance the richness of the salad.
Pasta Salad
A light and refreshing pasta salad, often featuring ingredients like cherry tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, and basil, is best paired with a crisp Pinot Grigio to complement the fresh flavours and tangy vinaigrette. But if you go for a mayonnaise dressing, then opt for a Gavi if you want to stay in Italy or for a fresh Chenin Blanc from the Loire or South Africa.
Asian Chicken Salad
The sweet and savoury flavours of an Asian chicken salad with sesame ginger dressing pair amazingly with a dry Riesling to complement the dressing while giving a nice fresh palate cleanse.
Beetroot and Goat Cheese Salad
A beetroot and goat cheese salad, with its earthy and creamy components and a honey mustard vinaigrette, will be ideal with an Alsatian Gewürztraminer. This aromatic wine, with its floral and spicy notes, balances out the sweetness of the beetroots and the tanginess of the goat cheese.
Rocket and Pear Salad
A rocket – or arugula, and pear salad with lemon vinaigrette is a delicious dish and the perfect mix of sweet and savoury that pairs perfectly with a Vermentino. This Italian white wine, with its citrus and herbal notes, complements the peppery rocket and sweet pear flavours.
Quinoa and Black Bean Salad
A quinoa and black bean salad with a lime cilantro dressing will be unmatched with a Spanish Albariño. The citrus and mineral notes along with the bright acidity of the wine enhance the freshness of the lime and cilantro, while its slight salinity pairs well with the beans.
Spinach and Strawberry Salad
The sweet and tangy combination of spinach and strawberries with balsamic vinaigrette pairs wonderfully with a dry Rosé or even a light Beaujolais or Pinot Noir. The red fruit aromas mirror the strawberries, while the acidity balances the vinaigrette.
Cobb Salad
A hearty Cobb salad, loaded with chicken, bacon, avocado, and blue cheese, needs a versatile wine like a light Pinot Noir. With its refreshing acidity and light tannin, it balances out the salad’s richness, especially the tangy blue cheese.
Tips for Wine and Salad Pairing
Consider the dressing
The dressing often dictates the wine pairing more than the salad ingredients themselves.
- Vinaigrettes: Acidity in vinaigrettes can be challenging to match. Opt for high-acid wines like a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Albariño to complement the tangy flavours.
- Creamy Dressings: Creamy dressings like ranch or Caesar benefit from wines with good acidity and a bit of body, such as Chardonnay or lightly oaked Sauvignon Blanc. The wine’s acidity cuts through the richness of the dressing, creating a balance on the palate.
Balance flavours
Ensure that the wine and salad balance each other.
- Rich Salads: A salad with heavy ingredients (cheese, bacon, creamy dressing) needs a wine with enough acidity to cleanse the palate. Wines like Pinot Noir or a lightly oaked Chardonnay work well.
- Light Salads: For lighter salads with fresh vegetables and light dressings, choose light-bodied wines like Pinot Grigio or Vermentino to avoid overpowering the delicate flavours.
Consider the Main Ingredients
The main ingredients in the salad can also guide your wine choice.
- Cheese: Salads featuring strong cheeses like blue cheese or goat cheese pair nicely with aromatic wines like Gewürztraminer or a bold red like Zinfandel.
- Fruit: If the salad includes fruit (berries, apples, pears), a fruit-forward wine like Rosé or a light Riesling can complement the fruity notes.
