Which Wine Goes With Paella?

Paella is a great classic of Spanish gastronomy. Although the ingredients of this dish may vary from one region to another, the presence of saffron rice is found in all versions. Traditionally prepared outdoors over a wood fire in a large cast iron pan, it is this method of cooking that gave rise to the name 'paella'. One of the best known versions is the Valencian paella. This version involves both seafood and pieces of poultry, chorizo and cold cuts. The presence of meat in this version of paella means that it can be nicely accompanied by a glass of red wine!

For your Valencian paella, opt for a red wine that is not too tannic, otherwise the tannins risk overpowering the delicacy of the poultry and seafood. If the wine is too light, the powerful aromas of spices, including saffron, could be completely overpowered.

The Chinon AOC in the Loire Valley is just what you're looking for. A Chinon red wine will bring out the best in all the elements of the dish. Chinon is not only the appellation whose wines are the most powerful in the Loire, they are also light enough not to mask the elements of the dish.

The empyreumatic notes often found in Chinon cuvées and the aromas of fresh red fruit are the perfect accompaniment to the smoky flavours and crunchy vegetables of the paella.

Syrah is an aromatic grape variety characterised by spices, including pepper. Languedoc cuvées made from this grape variety are impressively fresh, and its aromas bring out the saffron in the rice.

Well-structured, the wines from this region will not, however, dominate poultry or seafood. The choice of cuvée should be made with light tannins to allow the paella to express itself.

The Saint Chinian and Côtes du Roussillon AOCs offer cuvées made from Syrah to go well with paella.

Paella and white wine go very well together for a number of reasons. Firstly, this Spanish dish, although very aromatic and gourmet, is quite fatty. With dishes that are quite fatty, it's best to choose a white wine to break up the fat.

The charcuterie and olive oil used in the cooking justify the accompaniment of a fruity, well-structured white wine. If your dish is a seafood paella or a vegetarian paella, a white wine accompaniment is all the more justified!

The Bordeaux region is full of little white wine gems, whose full-bodied flavours coat the dish without overpowering it. A number of cuvées have been aged in oak barrels, so the woody aromas are a perfect match for chorizo and its smokiness.

The sunny climate of Provence, meanwhile, gives rise to appellations and cuvées with aromatic profiles that are perfectly compatible with Spanish paella. The warmth of the climate makes the white wines supple and full-bodied, making them an ideal accompaniment to fish dishes, shellfish and white meat.

Paella is often a favourite summertime dish, so pairing it with a rosé wine is an obvious choice. While there are many rosé wines that can be paired with paella, a vinous rosé is just what you're looking for.

Rosés de saignée or gastronomic rosés not only have the freshness of a white wine, but also the aromas and structure of a very light red.

The Bordeaux Clairet and Tavel AOCs, which only produce rosés for meals, produce cuvées bursting with red fruit and spices, with a structure and body reminiscent of red wine.

Regional pairings are often the best option! Of course, many French wines have the characteristics you're looking for when it comes to matching food and wine with paella, but this country on the Iberian Peninsula has everything it takes to charm!

Spain's vineyards are large and diverse, so choose a young wine with a good balance between fruit and spice, and light tannins, for the same reasons as for the French cuvées. As for the white wines, the cuvées made from the Godello grape variety have an intense aroma and a rather full-bodied texture, albeit with a nice acidity to balance it all out.

Wood is often used in the production of these cuvées, giving them structure and expressing the character of the terroir. Whether red or white, Spain has a wealth of gems waiting to be discovered!