What Wine With Ham?

Finding the perfect wine pairing can elevate any meal, and ham is no exception.

Whether it’s a festive holiday feast or a casual weeknight dinner, the right wine can complement the rich, savory flavors of ham beautifully.

But what wine with ham creates the most harmonious experience?

In this post, we’ll explore a variety of wines that pair perfectly with different types of ham, from dry Rieslings to fruity Zinfandels.

Get ready to discover your new favorite pairing and impress your guests at your next gathering!

What is the Best Wine With Ham?

Pairing wine with ham opens up a world of delicious possibilities! Since ham has a salty and savory profile, you want a wine that can either complement those flavors or offer a refreshing contrast.

For a classic pairing, try a fruity red like a Beaujolais or Pinot Noir.

Their light tannins and bright fruitiness won’t overpower the ham’s delicate flavor.

If you prefer white, a dry Riesling with its touch of sweetness and high acidity is a fantastic choice. For something bolder, explore off-dry rosés or even sparkling wines like Prosecco for a festive touch.

No matter your taste, a perfect ham and wine is pairing waiting to be discovered. Cheers!

1. Rosé wine

Rosé wines, with their bright fruitiness and refreshing acidity, are a delightful pairing for the richness of ham.

Opt for a dry rosé with minimal sweetness, allowing the wine’s natural fruitiness to shine.

Look for bottles with notes of ripe strawberry, juicy watermelon, or a hint of zesty citrus.

These flavors complement the savory notes of the ham without overpowering its taste.

The crisp, light-bodied nature of rosé acts as a palate cleanser, cutting through the richness of the ham and leaving you feeling refreshed with every sip.

Feature: Crisp, light-bodied, fruity, refreshing

2. Pinot Noir wine

Pinot Noir is a light-bodied red wine that makes a superb pairing for ham.

Known for its bright acidity and delicate tannins, Pinot Noir dances across the palate with flavors of red fruit like cherry and raspberry, often complemented by earthy notes of mushroom and forest floor.

These nuances harmonize beautifully with the savory, salty character of ham, creating a balanced and elegant pairing.

The wine’s acidity cuts through the meat’s richness, while its subtle earthiness complements the ham’s smoky notes.

Whether enjoyed with a simple ham sandwich or a festive holiday roast, Pinot Noir enhances the dining experience.

Feature: Light to medium-bodied, red fruit flavors, earthy, smooth tannins

3. Zinfandel wine

Zinfandel is an excellent choice to accompany ham if you gravitate towards bolder reds.

Its characteristically jammy fruit flavors, often bursting with ripe blackberry and plum, provide a luscious counterpoint to the ham’s saltiness.

Subtle hints of spice, frequently found in Zinfandel, weave through the fruit, adding complexity and depth to the pairing.

The wine’s robust structure and moderate tannins stand up well to the richness of the ham, creating a harmonious and satisfying flavor combination.

Feature: Medium to full-bodied, jammy fruit flavors, spicy, moderate tannins

4. Riesling (Off-Dry) wine

Consider an off-dry Riesling for a delightful departure from traditional red wine pairings.

The sweetness in these wines is a counterbalance to the saltiness of the ham, creating a beautiful interplay of flavors.

At the same time, the vibrant acidity characteristic of Riesling keeps the palate refreshed and enlivens the overall tasting experience.

The wine’s aromatic complexity, often showcasing notes of stone fruit, citrus, and honey, adds another layer of intrigue to the pairing.

Feature: Aromatic, off-dry (slightly sweet), high acidity, fruity and floral notes

5. Sparkling Wine

In all its celebratory glory, sparkling wine is a fantastic companion to ham.

Whether you prefer the elegance of Champagne, the fruit-forward nature of Prosecco, or the approachable charm of Cava, the effervescence and crisp acidity of these wines act as a palate cleanser between bites of rich, savory ham.

The delicate fruit notes and yeasty nuances often found in sparkling wines add complexity without overshadowing the flavor of the ham, making for a truly harmonious pairing.

Feature: Bubbly, high acidity, notes of citrus, apple, or yeast

6. Moscato Wine

With its gentle sweetness, Moscato wine emerges as an unexpectedly marvelous match for ham.

The lively tartness and modest alcohol level of the wine provide a rejuvenating contrast to the delectable, salty flavors of the ham.

The innate scents of Moscato, which include hints of peach, apricot, and orange blossom, bring a perfumed depth that enhances the ham’s fullness while maintaining a delicate balance on the taste buds.

Feature: Sweet, low acidity, notes of stone fruit, citrus blossom, and honey.

7. Gewürztraminer Wine

Gewürztraminer wine, with its enticing fragrance and sumptuous sweet notes, serves as a wonderfully unexpected pairing for the savory depth of ham.

The wine’s natural sweetness pairs exquisitely with the robust flavors of the ham, and its distinctive notes of lychee and rose petals infuse the dish with a captivating complexity.

A hint of spice from the Gewürztraminer persists in the taste buds, making for an especially gratifying and unforgettable combination.

Feature: Off-dry to sweet, medium acidity, notes of lychee, rose petals, ginger, and grapefruit.

Does red or white wine go better with ham?

Ham is a versatile meat that can pair well with both red and white wines depending on the preparation and seasoning.

Generally, lighter red wines with moderate acidities, such as Pinot Noir or Zinfandel, complement the rich flavors of ham without overwhelming it.

For white wine lovers, a Riesling or Gewürztraminer with their balance of sweetness can offset the saltiness of the ham nicely.

If the ham is glazed with a sweet component, an off-dry white wine can also be a good match. Ultimately, the choice between red or white wine with ham comes down to personal preference and the specific flavors of the ham dish.

What wine goes with honey-baked ham?

A honey-baked ham, with its sweet and savory profile, pairs beautifully with wines that offer a touch of sweetness or fruitiness to complement the honey glaze.

A Riesling, especially a slightly off-dry or semi-sweet style, can be an excellent choice.

Its natural acidity balances the sweetness while harmonizing with the flavors of the ham.

Alternatively, a Chenin Blanc with its fruity and floral notes can also enhance the taste of the honey-baked ham.

For red wine enthusiasts, a Beaujolais Nouveau or a Grenache with their light body and lower tannins present a soft, fruit-forward option that won’t clash with the sweetness of the honey glaze.

Can you drink Cabernet Sauvignon with ham?

Cabernet Sauvignon, known for its full body and robust tannins, isn’t the traditional go-to wine for pairing with ham due to its potency and the risk of overwhelming the meat’s flavors.

However, that doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyed with certain types of ham.

If the ham is particularly rich, smoky, or served with a hearty, flavorful sauce, a Cabernet Sauvignon could potentially complement these stronger flavors.

It’s advisable to opt for a Cabernet Sauvignon with a slightly lower tannin level or one that has aged a bit, as the softening of the tannins over time can make for a more harmonious pairing with the ham.

What wine pairs well with ham and cheese?

When pairing wine with ham and cheese, consider the flavors of both components.

A crisp, refreshing white wine like Sauvignon Blanc works well, providing acidity to cut through the richness of the cheese and balance the saltiness of the ham.

For a more aromatic option, a Gewürztraminer or Riesling with a hint of sweetness can complement both the savory ham and various cheeses.

If you prefer red wine, a light-bodied Pinot Noir with its soft tannins and fruity profile can be an excellent choice, offering enough complexity to pair well without overpowering the delicate flavors of the ham and cheese.

What’s a good non-alcoholic pairing for ham?

For a non-alcoholic pairing with ham, look to beverages that offer a balance of sweetness and acidity to complement the ham’s salty and rich profile.

A sparkling apple cider is an excellent option, as its effervescence and crisp apple flavors can cleanse the palate while matching the sweetness of any glaze on the ham.

Alternatively, a well-chilled ginger ale with its spicy kick can provide a nice contrast to the ham’s flavor, especially if the meat is glazed or spiced.

For a more complex flavor profile, consider an alcohol-free Pinot Noir or chardonnay grape juice that has the structure of wine without the alcohol content.

These can bring out the natural flavors of the ham without clashing or overwhelming the taste.

Conclusion

In conclusion, selecting the perfect wine to complement ham hinges on the specific preparation and seasoning of the meat.

While traditional pairings often lean towards lighter-bodied white wines, such as Riesling or a vibrant Sauvignon Blanc, there’s room for a well-aged red wine, like Pinot Noir, if your ham boasts bolder flavors or a richer sauce.

Remember, the key is to balance the saltiness of the ham with a touch of sweetness or acidity from your chosen beverage.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with both tried-and-true pairings and unexpected combinations to discover what tantalizes your palate the most. With the right wine, your ham dish can be elevated from simply satisfying to truly sublime.