German Wine and Food Pairings: Your New Go-To Dinner Wine
German wines pair well with food because Germany's cool climate gives them bright acidity and balanced flavor. Pair dry Riesling with pork and apples or butternut squash soup, Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder) with pasta and mushroom dishes, and Sekt with charcuterie and cheese.
Germany has some of the coolest wine-growing areas in the world, which give grapes more time to ripen evenly, building balanced flavors while keeping fruity acidity. In food pairing, acidity is key: it is what melds wine and food together. Shop German wine.
1. Dry Riesling with Pork, Apples and Squash
Pair dry Riesling with anything plus fall fruit: pork chops with apples, pear and arugula salad, or butternut squash soup. Dry Riesling shines with light roasted meats and fruit dishes. On German labels, look for "trocken", which means dry.
2. Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder) with Pasta and Mushrooms
Pinot Noir, called Spätburgunder in Germany, is fresher and more complex than many New World Pinots, with mild tannins and balanced acidity. Subtle earthy notes make it ideal with pasta or mushroom-based recipes.
Sekt, Germany's sparkling wine, is typically dry, always crisp and full of flavor, which makes it perfect for a savory plate of charcuterie and cheese. It is also one of those wines that can pair with almost anything. Prefer still? See our guide to dry white wine.
The one meal that brings all three together is Thanksgiving. Each of these wines has the mix of acidity and flavor to match turkey, festive side dishes and everything else the season offers. Whether it is a casual evening or the biggest feast of the year, German wine is a go-to for fall food. For a full menu, see our Thanksgiving wine planner.
German Wine and Food Questions, Answered
What food goes with dry Riesling?
Light roasted meats and fruit dishes, such as pork chops with apples, pear and arugula salad or butternut squash soup.
What is Spätburgunder?
The German name for Pinot Noir. German versions are fresh, with mild tannins and balanced acidity, good with pasta or mushrooms.
What is Sekt?
Germany's sparkling wine, typically dry, crisp and flavorful; good with charcuterie and cheese.
Why do German wines pair well with food?
Germany's cool climate lets grapes ripen slowly and evenly, giving wines with balanced flavor and bright acidity, and acidity is what ties wine and food together.
Pfalz, Germany ● Riesling
Rheinhessen, Germany ● Riesling
