The Classic Chicken and Wine Matching Guide

Baked, braised or stewed, chicken is one of those go-to meals that always satisfies the hungry soul on chilly winter nights.

 

When deciding what to drink with your chicken dish, it’s all about the cooking method and the accompanying sauces. Light or aromatic whites are ideal with anything delicate or with a bit of spice, while richer whites, such as chicken’s classic match, Chardonnay, are perfect with fuller flavoured creations, traditional roasts or creamy dishes. Far from being left out, red drinkers need not shy away from their favourite drop, however, if you like your chicken spicy, stick to the less tannic reds like Grenache, Pinot Noir and Merlot.

 

Nicole Gow is a great lover of aromatic whites and a huge fan of Vietnamese food, so it’s no surprise that one of her favourite dishes is poached chicken salad with lime noodles. “It has delicious yet delicate Asian flavours of ginger, Vietnamese mint, coriander and lime,” she explains, “So, I serve whites like Sauvignon Blanc and blends, lighter styles of Vermentino, Riesling or Pinot G.”

 

Dave Mavor says his family enjoys a huge range of food styles, but when he wants all of his kids around the dinner table, it’s roast chicken with old fashioned bread stuffing that does the job! “This dish is full of flavour, so the obvious and classic wine choice is a great Aussie Chardonnay or Verdelho,” he says. “For something a little different, medium weight and textural whites like Fiano and Arneis are also fantastic.”

 

A whizz in the kitchen and a big entertainer, Adam Walls loves having friends around on the weekend and he says piri piri charcoal chicken. “With loads of chilli, paprika, and garlic in this dish, light to medium weight and savoury reds are the ideal match to its spicy flavours,” he says. “A Nero d’Avola or Pinot Noir would be spot on, as would Grenache and GSM blends and Merlot.”

 

“For lovers of big, rich reds, go for a chicken dish that is equally rich and full-flavoured,” says Trent Mannell. “On a cold winter’s night, a super-tasty chicken tagine with preserved lemon, almonds and olives  is a perfect dish to stand-up to your favourite Shiraz and Cabernets.” With their origins in the Mediterranean, Sangiovese and Tempranillo are also great matches.