14 Best Wines Go with Ham

Ham’s flavor is well known to all. In general, it has a sweet and mildly salty taste. It caters to a wide variety of tastes. Combining flavors may be fun. But it can also be challenging. So what wine goes with ham then? Use the list of wines below to get some inspiration.

What white wine goes best with ham?

White wines can taste dry or sweet. There are a few calories in them. They’re made by removing grape skins before fermentation. The following are white wines that go well with ham:

Gewurztraminer

Are you having trouble saying the name of this wine? Gewurztraminer is a wine with some zing. It is also known to be spicy and fragrant. Additionally, the cost is not too high.

You can enjoy Gewurztraminer with any ham. It has plenty of fruity flavoring, such as peach and apricot. These flavors of Gewurz wine pair amazingly with sweet-salty ham. Notice how the additional sugar might astound you.

Do you want to add herbs to the glaze? Go ahead! A honey butter ham, in particular, will fit perfectly with this wine. It’s the best pairing you could ever have. Gewurztraminer can also pair well with any fruit glazes.

Riesling

Another white wine that goes best with ham is Riesling. This wine comes in various styles. It has a sweet version. It can also be off-dry to sparkling. Try this if you want some wine with striking lime and apple flavors.

Off-dry Riesling has a lot of acidities. It’s not that sweet. You can expect it to go well with salty items like ham. Any brightly-flavored ham will taste wonderful with it. Examples are honey or orange-glazed ham. Glazed baked ham is also one.

This wine is also very affordable. That’s why it’s often present in Easter and Christmas dinners.

Pinot Gris

Have you heard of the Pinot family of wine? Pinot Gris is its less well-known member. This wine is a French style. It’s made from old grapes.

Pinot Gris has a rich, tangy flavor. It is more acidic than Gewurz. That means it would be a great wine to combine with ham. It pairs excellently with baked ham and pineapple.

Pinot Grigio

Guess what? Pinot Gris has an Italian version. It’s called Pinot Grigio. It has pear, apple, and other stone fruit flavors. It comes from early-harvested grapes, so it is highly acidic.

Almost anyone will enjoy Pinot Grigio. Why not? It has a neutral taste. Some say it tastes just like water. It won’t overwhelm the taste of ham. You’ll feel refreshed against the pork’s saltiness. But the fresh nuances of this wine can still enchant you.

Sauvignon Blanc

Are you familiar with Sauvignon Blanc? It’s one of the most renowned wines. And where did it originate? From Bordeaux, France. But it was made famous on a global scale by New Zealand.

Sauvignon Blanc has a delicate flavor. And the acidity is very high. It cuts the fat and salt of ham. In addition, the sugar content is moderate. You’ll adore its crisp, reviving flavor! Plus, it can taste from grassy to tropical.

Go for Sauvignon Blanc if you have Hawaiian Ham. The ham’s fruitiness and pineapple shine out and become highly thrilling. It highlights the ham’s unusual flavor. Its mild floral aroma is also not overbearing.

Are you having ham with a honey glaze? You can try Sauvignon with it, too. It enhances the honey element. Perfect pair, right?

Viognier

Would you want to sample another French wine with ham? Try Viognier. Light flavors like mango and tangerine are possible. And how would you like to have creamy vanilla-like scents? Or explore spritz and bitter flavors?

Acidity is gentler in Viognier. It is also slightly lighter and more fragrant. It could be best to serve it alongside dishes that aren’t overly flavorful.

Try Viognier if you have peach-glazed ham. Ham glazed with maple syrup or brown sugar also goes great with it. It will also go well with cinnamon glaze.

Prosecco

Here comes another good wine from Italy. It hails from an old Northeastern Italian town. It’s commonly mistaken as champagne. But you know, champagnes come from France.

Are you wondering if Prosecco can be a delightful drink with ham? Well, it comes in various styles. You can enjoy it sweet or dry as you wish. It’s known for its zingy acidity. Plus, it also features vibrant floral notes. Of course, it gives off plenty of bubbles.

So how does Prosecco taste with ham? Well, it pairs well with ham. Remember, it’s refreshing and not overly dry. The bubbles can cut the fat and salt. It also makes a perfect partner for any sweet glazes.

What red wine goes best with ham?

Do you have friends or guests coming over? Do they like red wine better? That’s simple! Ham pairs well with red wine, too. Here are some red wines that make a good pairing with ham:

Carnivor Zinfandel

Wine experts say Zinfandel is one of the best red wines. It’s a well-known Californian brand. And don’t worry about the cost! It’s pretty inexpensive with a current price of $15. Are you a fan of dark flavors? Pick a Zinfandel. You’ll detect that it has a robust, fruity taste. It also has the ideal balance of acidity. So it complements meat products like ham excellently.

Grilled ham, in particular, is a wonderful accompaniment. It will surely tickle your taste buds with its mild spice.

Pinot Noir

Many people adore Pinot Noir. Are you one who’s wondering too if it pairs well with ham? It does since it’s refreshing and has outstanding acidity. It’s a refreshing counter to the saltiness of the ham.

The finest pairing for Pinot Noir is smoked or cherry-glazed ham. Pinot Noir from Oregon and Burgundy pair well with spices and aromatics. Prepare yourself to get mesmerized by the beautiful balance.

What if you’re in the mood for a fruity-glazed ham? You can try Pinot Noir from California or New Zealand to enhance the fruity tastes. Examples are rich flavors of cherries and raspberries. The strawberry flavor is also tempting!

Gamay

Have you ever heard of Beaujolais? It’s a French region. They grow grapes there called “Gamay.” That’s why Gamay is used interchangeably with Beaujolais. Gamay wines have an earthier kick than those from Canada. Or even New Zealand. Australia, too. But they all taste excellent. Where your Gamay originate isn’t important. It will go well with ham.

You’ll adore Gamay’s vibrant fruity scent and freshness. It will make you think of berries and cherries. Ham tastes beautifully with this wine’s faint bass note on end.

Tempranillo

Now here’s another red wine with a great profile. Tempranillo! One of the noble grapes grown worldwide is this wine’s source. It’s the fourth most widely planted variety. Tempranillo wines are tasty whether they are young or old!

Tempranillo can be rather full-bodied if you prefer that. And yes, It is quite acidic. It’s also a little peppery and fruity. Cherry and cedar are two familiar flavors. Ham and Tempranillo go great together. Do you have a powerfully flavorful spiced-rum ham? It goes well with this wine. Tempranillo is an unexpectedly adaptable meal wine.

Boekenhoutskloof

Are you ready for a ham-and-red wine adventure? Give the Chocolate Block a try. It’s a fascinating blend of five South African grapes. You’ll notice that it’s both colorful and dark. This will appeal to mid-palates.

The texture of this wine is smooth and creamy. Additionally, the perfect amount of lemony acidity balances the fruity flavor. The seductive scents of mint or cocoa will appeal to you. It’s an excellent option for ham with a sugar coating.

And what do you believe the price is? It’s worth far more than $30. Test it out for yourself.

Grenache

Grenache! Does it sound nice? Well, this wine is not as well-known as other red wines. It’s not necessarily of poor quality, though. This wine is adaptable – so many people like it. The tannins and modest acidity of this wine are well known. But it contains a lot of alcohol. Therefore, Grenache is a little intoxicating.

The wine’s fruity and peppery flavors are discernible. Smoky cinnamon undertones accent them. Plus, you get a floral aroma resembling violets. It could be dry or semi-sweet. So it pairs well with many meat products like ham.

Petite Sirah

The last red wine on our list is Petite Sirah. However, it’s not the least at all. This wine is known as Durif outside of the US. It bears the name of the French botanist who ran the first nursery where it was grown.

The flavor of Petite Sirah is solid and distinctive. The high skin-juice ratio proportion is the cause of this. Expect it to have a lot of acidity and tannin.

You can find plums and dark-berried tastes in abundance in Petite Sirah. It also exudes a potent blend of spices. Accompany it with tastier, more fragrant meals like glazed ham. Their flavors will go well together.

Summary

Ever wonder what wine goes with ham? The perfect wine to pair with ham depends a lot on the glaze. Preparation is also another factor to consider. Wines with more acidity go best with salty ham. You can have white and red wines paired with ham. There are so many possibilities you can try.