The Sunday roast is a British institution, and the right bottle makes it even better. With rich meat, crispy potatoes and plenty of gravy, it calls for a wine with enough flavour to keep up, but not so much that it takes over. Here’s what to pour with every roast, from beef and chicken to pork, lamb, turkey and vegetarian options.
What is the best wine with a Sunday roast?
The best wine depends on the meat at the centre of the table. Here are our top picks:
- Roast beef: a structured red like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or a Bordeaux blend
- Roast chicken: a rich Chardonnay or a light, fruity Pinot Noir
- Roast pork: an off-dry Riesling, a Chenin Blanc or a juicy Beaujolais
- Roast lamb: a Rioja, a Bordeaux or a Côtes du Rhône
- Roast turkey: a Pinot Noir or a rich Chardonnay
- Vegetarian roast: a Pinot Noir or an oaked Chardonnay
What wine goes with roast beef?
Classic roast beef
Roast beef is the king of the Sunday roast, and it calls for a red with some structure. A Cabernet Sauvignon or a Bordeaux blend is the classic choice, as its tannins, the drying compounds in red wine, soften with the protein in the meat. For something a little rounder, a Merlot brings plum and black cherry flavours with softer tannins.
If you like your beef rare, a fresher red like a Rioja Crianza or a Chianti Classico works beautifully. For well-done beef, choose a softer, fruitier wine, as firm tannins can taste harsh with drier meat.
Beef Wellington
Beef Wellington wraps tender fillet in mushrooms and buttery pastry, so it needs a more elegant red. A red Burgundy or another good Pinot Noir is perfect, as its earthy notes echo the mushrooms while its fresh acidity cuts through the pastry.
What wine goes with roast chicken?
Classic roast chicken
Roast chicken is one of the most wine-friendly dishes there is, so you can choose red or white. A rich Chardonnay, especially a lightly oaked one from Burgundy, matches the crispy skin and buttery juices. If you prefer red, a light Pinot Noir or a Beaujolais won’t overpower the meat.
Lemon and herb chicken
When your chicken is roasted with lemon, garlic and thyme, a fresher white is a better match. Try a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, a Picpoul de Pinet or an unoaked Chardonnay, whose citrus notes echo the lemon.
What wine goes with roast pork?
Pork with crackling
Roast pork is rich and slightly sweet, and the crackling adds a salty, crunchy contrast. An off-dry Riesling or a Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley is a great match, as their fresh acidity cuts through the fat. A dry Alsace Pinot Gris also works well.
Pork with apple sauce
Apple sauce brings sweetness and tang to the plate, so you’ll want a fruity wine that can handle it. A juicy Beaujolais or a light Pinot Noir works well if you prefer red, while an off-dry Riesling echoes the apple flavours beautifully.
Honey-glazed gammon
Gammon is cured pork, so it’s saltier than a pork roast, and a honey or mustard glaze adds sweetness. A fruity wine balances both: try an off-dry Riesling, a dry rosé or a juicy Beaujolais, served slightly chilled.
What wine goes with roast lamb?
Roast lamb, with its garlic and rosemary, calls for a red with good acidity and savoury notes, like a Rioja, a Bordeaux or a Côtes du Rhône. For a leg, a shoulder or a rack, find our full recommendations in our guide to wine with lamb.
What wine goes with roast turkey?
Turkey is leaner and milder than other roasts, so it’s easy to overpower. A Pinot Noir, a Beaujolais or a rich Chardonnay are all great choices. For a festive spread with all the trimmings, see our Christmas wine pairing guide.
Does gravy change the wine?
The trimmings can make as much difference as the meat, so it’s worth thinking about them too:
- Gravy: a rich, meaty gravy makes the whole plate more savoury, so it pairs best with a fuller red.
- Yorkshire puddings and roast potatoes: these are neutral, so they won’t change your choice of wine.
- Horseradish: its heat can make tannic reds taste harsher, so a fruity Merlot is a safer bet than a young Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Mint sauce: its sharp vinegar can make wine taste flat, so use it sparingly and choose a red with good acidity.
- Cauliflower cheese: it loves a rich Chardonnay, which also works with chicken or pork.
For more ideas with rich, slow-cooked dishes, see our guide to wine with stew.
What wine goes with a vegetarian roast?
Nut roast
A nut roast is earthy and savoury, often with herbs, mushrooms and chestnuts. A Pinot Noir or a Côtes du Rhône brings soft red fruit that suits it well, or try a rich, oaked Chardonnay if you prefer white.
Mushroom Wellington
Like beef Wellington, a mushroom Wellington is wonderful with a Pinot Noir, whose earthy notes echo the mushrooms. An aged Rioja is another lovely choice.
Whole roasted cauliflower
A whole roasted cauliflower is lighter and nutty, often served with spices or a cheese sauce. With a cheese sauce, choose a rich Chardonnay. If it’s spiced, a dry rosé or a light Grenache works well.
Is red or white wine better with a Sunday roast?
Red wine is the traditional choice, especially with roast beef and lamb. But white wine can be just as good with lighter roasts like chicken and pork, as long as it has some body and richness. If your guests can’t agree, a Pinot Noir is a great all-rounder, light enough for chicken and pork but flavourful enough for beef.
FAQ
Can you drink rosé with a Sunday roast?
Yes, a dry rosé with some body, like a Tavel or a Provence rosé, works well with roast chicken and pork. It’s a great choice for a lighter, summery roast.
What wine should you use for gravy?
Use a dry red with plenty of fruit, like a Merlot or a Côtes du Rhône, and ideally the same wine you’ll drink. Avoid very oaky or tannic wines, which can make the gravy bitter.
Should red wine be served at room temperature?
Not quite: most reds are best served slightly cool, at around 15–18°C. Find the ideal temperature for every style in our wine serving temperature guide.
What’s a good budget wine for a Sunday roast?
A Chilean Merlot, a Côtes du Rhône or a Rioja Crianza are all great value and work with most roasts. For white, a Chenin Blanc from South Africa is affordable and very versatile.
