What Wine Goes Well with Ham?

What Wine Pairs Best with Ham? A Complete Guide

Pairing wine with ham isn’t just a culinary choice; it’s an art.

Table of Contents

Ham, with its rich flavors and varying preparations, can be wonderfully complemented by the right wine.

But what wine goes best with ham?

Let’s dive into this delicious pairing!

Understanding Ham’s Flavor Profile

First, it’s essential to understand the taste of ham.

Ham can be salty, sweet (like honey-glazed), or smoky.

This range of flavors influences the choice of wine.

Wine Pairing Basics

Salty Ham

Salty ham, like country ham or prosciutto, has a pronounced saltiness and a rich, savory flavor.

For saltier hams, look for wines that balance this saltiness.

A good rule is to choose a wine with a hint of sweetness or a fruity profile.

Best Wines for Salty Ham

Prosecco

This Italian sparkling wine offers a refreshing counterpoint to the saltiness.

Its effervescence and slight sweetness balance the ham’s robust flavor.

Example: La Marca Prosecco (Italy) – A light, bubbly, and slightly sweet sparkling wine.

Chenin Blanc

A white wine like Chenin Blanc, with its high acidity and fruity notes, can cut through the salt while complementing the ham’s savoriness.

Example: Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc (South Africa) – Displays refreshing acidity and fruity notes.

Gewürztraminer

This aromatic white wine, known for its floral and spicy notes, pairs nicely with salty ham, offering a sweet contrast.

Example: Trimbach Gewürztraminer (France) – Aromatic with a balance of spice and sweetness.

Sweet Ham

Sweet ham, such as honey-glazed or maple-flavored, combines rich meatiness with a delightful sweetness.

With sweet preparations, opt for wines that offer a refreshing contrast.

Think of wines with acidity or slight bitterness to cut through the sweetness.

Best Wines for Sweet Ham

Riesling

A slightly sweet Riesling can harmonize beautifully with the sweetness of the ham, providing a balance with its acidity.

Example: Dr. Loosen Dr. L Riesling (Germany) – A slightly sweet Riesling with balanced acidity.

Pinot Noir

A light-bodied Pinot Noir, with its subtle fruitiness, can complement the sweetness without overpowering the ham.

Example: Meiomi Pinot Noir (California) – Offers a fruity and smooth profile.

Viognier

This white wine, known for its floral aromatics and stone fruit flavors, pairs well with sweet ham, enhancing its flavors.

Example: Yalumba Y Series Viognier (Australia) – Known for its floral aromatics and richness.

Smoky Ham

Smoky ham, often wood-smoked or barbecue-flavored, has a deep, rich smokiness.

Smoky hams need wines that can stand up to their robust flavor.

Look for full-bodied wines with their own character.

Best Wines for Smoky Ham

Syrah/Shiraz

This robust red wine, with its smoky and spicy undertones, complements the smokiness of the ham.

Example: Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz (Australia) – Rich and full-bodied with smoky undertones.

Malbec

Malbec’s dark fruit flavors and smoky finish make it a suitable choice for smoky ham, balancing the meat’s intensity.

Example: Catena Malbec (Argentina) – Known for its dark fruit flavors and smoky finish.

Chardonnay (Oaked)

An oaked Chardonnay, with its buttery and slightly smoky flavor, can complement the smokiness of the ham.

Example: Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay (California) – Offers a buttery texture with a hint of oak and smoke.

Cured Ham

Cured ham presents a unique flavor profile that differs from fresh ham due to its curing process.

It’s often saltier and can have hints of spices and smokiness, depending on the curing method.

When pairing wine with cured ham, the goal is to balance its intense flavors and saltiness without overpowering the delicate nuances of the meat.

Best Wines for Cured Ham

Dry Rosé

A dry rosé is refreshing and light, which can beautifully counterbalance the saltiness of the cured ham.

Its subtle fruitiness also complements the meat’s flavors.

Example: Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé (France) – A dry and elegant rosé from Provence can offer a refreshing counterpoint to the rich flavors of cured ham.

Tempranillo

This Spanish red wine, known for its bold yet smooth profile, can stand up to the strong flavors of cured ham.

Its hints of cherry and tobacco can enhance the ham’s taste.

Example: Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva (Spain): This Rioja, made predominantly from Tempranillo grapes, offers a great balance of oak, fruit, and spice.

Its smooth tannins and subtle vanilla notes from oak aging can complement the richness of cured ham without overwhelming it.

Sangiovese

An Italian favorite, Sangiovese offers a nice acidity and tannin structure that works well with the richness of cured ham.

Its notes of red cherry and earthy tones pair nicely.

Example: Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico: A classic representation of Chianti, known for its vibrant cherry flavors, hints of herbs, and balanced acidity.

It pairs delightfully with the savory and slightly fatty aspects of cured ham.

Albariño

For a white wine option, Albariño from Spain is a great choice.

Its bright acidity and citrus notes can cut through the saltiness while complementing the ham’s savoriness.

Example: Pazo de Señorans Albariño (Spain): This wine hails from the Rías Baixas region of Spain, renowned for producing top-tier Albariños.

It typically exhibits vibrant notes of citrus, green apple, and stone fruit, which can cut through the richness of cured ham beautifully.

Garnacha (Grenache)

Garnacha, with its fruity and spicy profile, balances the saltiness of cured ham without overwhelming it.

This wine is a good choice for those who prefer a smoother red.

Example: Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha (Spain): This wine comes from the Bodegas Borsao in the Campo de Borja region of Spain, a place known for producing excellent Garnacha wines.

Tres Picos Garnacha is rich and full-bodied, featuring robust flavors of dark berries, cherries, and a hint of spice.

This complexity and the wine’s inherent fruitiness balance the salty, savory depth of cured ham.

Remember: when pairing wine with cured ham, look for wines that offer a balance of acidity, fruitiness, and body to complement the ham’s saltiness and rich flavors.

Roasted Ham

Roasted ham, with its tender texture and often a mix of savory and slightly sweet flavors, pairs well with a variety of wines.

The key is to choose a wine that complements the richness and specific seasonings of the ham without overpowering it.

Best Wines for Roasted Ham

Pinot Noir

This red wine is a classic choice for roasted ham.

Its light body and subtle fruit notes can enhance the ham’s flavors without dominating the dish.

Example: Joseph Drouhin Côte de Beaune Villages (France): It features a delicate balance of red fruit flavors like cherry and raspberry, along with subtle earthy notes and a silky texture.

This wine’s elegance and moderate acidity will complement the roasted ham’s flavors without overpowering them, making for a refined and delightful pairing.

Zinfandel

A Zinfandel offers a bolder choice with its fruit-forward profile and a hint of spice, which can complement the savory aspects of the roasted ham.

Example: Ridge Vineyards Geyserville Zinfandel (USA) : This Zinfandel is a bit more sophisticated, with layers of dark fruit, spice, and a hint of smokiness that can stand up to the savory and

sometimes sweet flavors of roasted ham.

Chardonnay (Unoaked or Lightly Oaked)

For white wine lovers, an unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay can be a great match.

Its crispness and subtle fruit flavors provide a nice balance to the ham’s richness.

Example: Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay (USA): This Chardonnay is known for its rich, full-bodied profile, with layers of ripe fruit like peach, apple, and melon, complemented by subtle oak and a

hint of vanilla.

The wine’s complexity and creamy texture can beautifully match the flavors of roasted ham, adding an elegant and satisfying dimension to your meal.

Merlot

Merlot, known for its soft tannins and plummy flavors, pairs nicely with roasted ham, especially if the ham has a sweet glaze.

Example: Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot (USA): It offers a plush and velvety texture with flavors of ripe plum and black cherry, balanced with hints of herbs and spices, making it a

delightful pairing for ham, especially if it has a sweet glaze.

Grenache

Grenache, with its bright fruit flavors and spicy undertones, can also be a delightful pairing, offering a nice contrast to the ham’s savory notes.

Example: Alvaro Palacios Camins del Priorat Grenache (Spain): This Grenache blend is vibrant and fruit-forward, with notes of raspberry and cherry, along with a touch of minerality and spice,

which would nicely complement the roasted ham’s flavors.

Remember: when selecting a wine for roasted ham, consider the specific seasonings and glazes used, as these can influence the best pairing choice.

When pairing wine with these different styles of ham, it’s important to consider how the wine’s characteristics will interact with the flavors of the ham.

The goal is always to find a harmonious balance that enhances the enjoyment of both the wine and the ham.

Remember, personal preference is key, so feel free to experiment with different pairings to discover what you enjoy the most!

Versatile Options for Various Ham Types

Grenache: Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha (Spain) – Fruity and spicy, pairs well with different ham styles.

Tempranillo: Campo Viejo Rioja Tempranillo (Spain) – A smooth and versatile red wine.

Albariño: Martin Codax Albariño (Spain) – Bright and acidic, great for cutting through richness.

These specific wine examples are chosen to illustrate the types of wines that can complement the different flavors of ham.

They are widely recognized and generally available, making them practical choices for most people looking to pair wine with ham.

Best Wines for Ham Summary

Riesling: A versatile choice, Riesling, especially when slightly sweet, works well with both salty and sweet ham.

Pinot Noir: This red wine is a classic choice. Its light body and fruity notes pair nicely with ham without overpowering it.

Chardonnay: For a buttery and rich wine, go for Chardonnay. It complements the richness of the ham, especially if it’s smoked.

Zinfandel: A bolder choice, Zinfandel brings a balance of fruitiness and spice, ideal for smoky or heavily seasoned ham.

Grenache: This wine, with its fruity and spicy notes, pairs well with ham’s sweet and savory balance.

Serving Tips

Temperature: Serve white wines chilled and red wines at slightly below room temperature.

Decanting: While not always necessary, decanting can enhance the flavor of red wines like Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.

Remember, the best wine pairing with ham depends on the preparation and personal taste.

Experiment with these suggestions and find your perfect match.

Enjoy the journey of discovering the delightful harmony between wine and ham!

FAQ:

Q1: What type of wine goes best with ham?

A1: The best wine for ham depends on the style of the ham.

For sweet ham, try Riesling or Pinot Noir.

For salty ham, Prosecco or Chenin Blanc works well.

For smoky ham, opt for Syrah or Malbec.

Q2: Can I pair white wine with ham?

A2: Absolutely! White wines like Riesling, Chenin Blanc, and Chardonnay can be excellent choices, especially for sweet or salty ham.

Q3: Is red wine a good match for ham?

A3: Yes, red wines like Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, and Syrah can beautifully complement different types of ham, especially smoky or richly flavored ones.

Q4: How do I choose a wine for a honey-glazed ham?

A4: For honey-glazed ham, which is sweet, a Riesling or a light-bodied Pinot Noir can provide a nice balance to the sweetness.

Q5: What wine should I serve with a salty, cured ham like prosciutto?

A5: For cured, salty ham, a sparkling wine like Prosecco or a fruity white wine like Chenin Blanc is a great choice.

Q6: Can sparkling wine be paired with ham?

A6: Definitely! Sparkling wines, like Prosecco or Champagne, are excellent with salty or rich ham varieties due to their acidity and effervescence.

Q7: What are some affordable wine options for pairing with ham?

A7: Affordable yet delicious options include Spanish Tempranillo, Argentinian Malbec, and Italian Prosecco, which offer great value for their quality.