Wondering what wine goes best with chicken? The experts at Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits have recommendations that will tempt your taste buds.
Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits is the leading wholesaler and retailer of premium wines, beers and spirits in the Cayman Islands. Shop in our stores or order online and we’ll deliver your purchases FREE OF CHARGE to your home, office, resort, vacation villa, or anywhere else on Grand Cayman!
Our Top Wine and Chicken Pairings
White Wines
Chicken is a wine-friendly meat and is extremely versatile. Try matching the intensity of the chicken dish with the intensity of the wine.
- Oaked Chardonnay: If the dish includes a rich cream sauce, consider an oaked Chardonnay. Try a bottle of the award-winning 2016 Jordan Chardonnay, one of the best from the Russian River Valley in Sonoma, California, or Ca’ del Bosco Curtefranca Chardonnay from Lombardy, Italy.
- Riesling: This wine is lightly sweet, and its low alcoholic content will lower the heat from the dish. It pairs well with dishes like spicy chicken wings, curry chicken, barbecued chicken, sweet and sour chicken, and more. Try the Prum Essence Riesling from Mosel, Germany.
- Sauvignon Blanc: This lean and crisp wine is well-suited to chicken and other poultry and a great alternative to Chardonnay. We recommend the excellent Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand.
- White Côtes du Rhône: This blend of white Marsanne and Roussanne grapes is similar to an oaked Chardonnay. In addition to chicken, it pairs well with rich, creamy sauces. A bottle of Guigal Cotes Du Rhone from France is an excellent choice.
Red Wines
Many chicken dishes are rich and savory and best paired with red wines. The richer the dish the more color, richness and tannin you can have in your wine.
- Cabernet Sauvignon: Cabernet is the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth and is excellent with chicken. It is dry, full-bodied and bursting with flavors. Try the 2014 Pirate Treasure Red from California’s Napa Valley, which is delicious with jerk chicken.
- Malbec: Malbec features a rich, full bodied taste with berry-like fruit flavors. It is a dry wine and pairs well with grilled chicken, chicken enchiladas, and other chicken dishes. Try the Catena Alamos Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina.
- Pinot Noir: Pinot Noir features strong, oaky overtones and is considered a moderately dry, medium-to-light bodied wine. Consider pairing your chicken, turkey, and other poultry with the excellent Principato Pinot Noir from the province of Pavla in Lombardy, Italy.
- Shiraz: Shiraz is Australia’s claim to fame, but luscious versions also come from France, California and Washington. The wine pairs well with chicken dishes like Coq au Vin. The Yellow Tail Shiraz from South Australia is a staff favorite.
You may be surprised to learn how many successful chicken and wine pairings there are! Next time you want to know what wine goes best with chicken, pay a visit to Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits on Grand Cayman or order online and enjoy delivery, free of charge.
