Welcome to your go-to guide to wine pairing with ham. You might be wondering whether to pair red or white wine with ham. The answer? Both can work. But it depends on the style of ham.
As a wine expert who has a love for all things ham, I’m here to help you choose the perfect wine to match your ham dish.
Whether you’re planning a festive holiday meal, laying out a charcuterie spread, or simply jazzing up your favorite ham sandwich, just follow this simple guide.
And if you need a delicious ham recipe, I’ve got that for you too. My favorite brown sugar and honey-glazed ham is perfect for holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
Basics of Wine Pairing with Ham
When picking a wine to go with ham, start by thinking about its main flavors. Ham is usually a bit salty, sometimes a little sweet, has a nice savory flavor, and can be a bit fatty.
The best wines for ham will be slightly sweet. Or they’ll have fruity flavors to complement the ham’s salty flavor and savoriness. And ones with good acidity will cut through the fattiness and keep your palate refreshed.
But there are many different types of ham. So, here are some other tips to consider when selecting a wine pairing:
- Type of Ham: Is your ham smoked, dry cured, wet cured…? Each type has its own flavor that goes well with different wines.
- How It’s Cooked: Is your ham sweet and glazed or more on the savory side? This can change which wine works best.
- Flavor Intensity: Match your wine to how bold or subtle your ham tastes. You want to make sure your wine won’t be overpowered.
- Fat Content: If your ham is on the fattier side, a wine with a bit of zing (aka more acidity) can be a great match.
- What You Like: Most importantly, go with what you enjoy drinking. Wine pairing is all about what tastes good to you!
With these basic ham flavors in mind, you’ve got a great starting point for choosing a wine. Now, let’s explore wine pairings for the different types of ham.
The Best Wine with Ham
Best Pairing: Riesling
If I had to pick just one wine that works with pretty much any style of ham, it would be Riesling. The high acidity and versatility of this aromatic white make it one of the most food-friendly wines. And it’s a perfect pairing with pretty much any salty, spicy, or sweet ham.
Dry Rieslings go great with smoked or cured ham. Off-dry versions pair well with a sweet glaze, a fruit glaze, or the heat from a spicy ham.
Germany is best known for making Riesling in a range of sweetness styles. Look for Trocken for dry and Halbtrocken or Feinherb for sweeter styles. Alsace, France is also another great region for dry and off-dry Rieslings with high acidity.
In the New World, you’ll find Riesling in the Finger Lakes region in the United States, as well as Australia and New Zealand.
Glazed Ham Wine Pairing
Best Pairings: Off-Dry Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Shiraz
For you sweet and salty fans looking for glazed or honey-baked ham wine pairings, you’ll want something fruit-forward and even a little sweet.
Sweetness in food makes wine taste less fruity and more bitter. So go for something that’s at least as sweet or sweeter than the food.
You could for sure go with an off-dry Riesling here. But another great option is Gewürztraminer. This white wine is known for its perfumed aromas of lychees, roses, and ginger. (Learn more about the difference between Riesling vs Gewurztraminer.)
Grab a bottle from Alsace, France. Or it’s also grown in Alto Adige, Italy, the Finger Lakes in the U.S., and Pfalz, Germany.
If your heart is set on red wine, I’d go with an Australian Shiraz. The warm climate makes these wines incredibly fruit-forward. Look for one from Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale.
Smoked Ham Wine Pairing
Best Pairings: Zinfandel, Tempranillo, Rosé
If you’re looking for black forest ham or baked ham wine pairings, a fruit-forward red wine is the way to go here. It will compliment the smoky, juicy flavors.
There are tons of great options to choose from. How about a red Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley, California? Or a Tempranillo-based Rioja from Spain?
I also like pairing this style of ham with full-bodied rosé wines like those from Tavel, France. It has enough flavor intensity and complexity to hold its own with the smoky flavor.
Cured Ham Wine Pairing
Best Pairings: Cava, Sparkling Wine, Fino Sherry
What holiday dinner or wine night would be complete without some charcuterie or antipasto? I love a good spread of dry-cured ham like prosciutto (aka parma ham), serrano ham, or Iberico ham with all the fixings.
These salty, fatty meats are a perfect match with Cava, a sparkling Spanish white wine. It’s produced using the same method as Champagne, so you’ll get those same bready, nutty flavors. And the bubbles will refresh your palate between bites. If you can’t find a good-quality Cava, most white or rosé sparkling wines will work too.
Or if you’re feeling adventurous, how about a Fino Sherry? This fortified dry wine also hails from Spain and has aromas of citrus, almonds, and herbs. Add some manchego cheese and you’re good to go!
Looking for more wine and cheese pairing ideas? Check out my recommendations for wine pairings with brie, burrata wine pairing, and Cambozola wine pairing.
Best Wine with Ham and Turkey
Best Pairings: Pinot Noir, Grenache, Sparkling Wine
If you’re like my big Irish family who goes all out for the holidays, you may need a Thanksgiving wine pairing with ham and turkey. Plus, you have to think about what will work with all those tasty sides.
Pinor Noir is one of the best wine pairings for ham and turkey. It typically has bright acidity to balance out the fatty dishes. But it won’t overwhelm the lighter flavors of turkey. And its red fruit flavors complement traditional side dishes like cranberry sauce.
A Grenache or GSM blend (Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre) is another great wine pairing for ham and turkey. This fruit-forward red is most famous from France’s Southern Rhône region. But it’s originally from Spain where it’s known as Garnacha.
If all else fails, go with any kind of bubbly. The carbonation will act as a palate cleanser to reset your taste buds after each bite.
Wine Pairing with Ham and Cheese Sandwich
Best Pairing: Beaujolais
When it comes to the holidays, you gotta love those leftover ham sandwiches. Looking for a wine pairing with a ham and cheese sandwich?
Beaujolais is an excellent choice here. This French wine is made from the Gamay grape. It’s light, fruity, and often has flavors of raspberry, cherry, and cranberry. The high acidity works well with the fattiness in the ham and cheese.
The crus of Fleurie or Brouilly make light, perfumed wines that pair well with this style of sammie. Or you can find some great values from Beaujolais Villages or Beaujolais Supérieur.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does red or white wine go with Easter ham?
Easter ham is often a baked or glazed ham with sweet and savory flavors. Both red and white wines can be a great choice with Easter dinner. For white wine, try an off-dry Riesling or Gewürztraminer to balance the ham’s sweetness. If you prefer red wine, go for a fruit-forward Pinot Noir or Shiraz.
Does Chardonnay go with ham?
Yes, Chardonnay can go well with ham. An unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay works best. These styles are more fruit-forward and less buttery, making them a great match for the sweetness and saltiness of the ham. Ones from cooler-climate regions will have the crisp acidity needed to cut through the fattiness of the meat.
Does Cabernet Sauvignon go with ham?
Cabernet Sauvignon, with its bold flavor and higher tannins, isn’t the best pairing for ham. It can overpower the flavors of the ham. But if your ham is on the savory side, a softer, fruitier Cabernet could work. If you’re a Cab lover, pour a glass and see how it plays with the flavors of your ham.
Remember, the rules of wine pairing are not set in stone. They’re more like guidelines to help you on your way. Have fun experimenting and finding your favorite combos!
Want more dinner wine pairing ideas? Try filet mignon wine pairing, beef stew wine pairing, or find out the best wine with pork chops.
Pin for Later!
Brown Sugar & Honey-Glazed Ham Recipe Equipment
For this recipe, you’ll need the following equipment:
- Sharp chef’s knife
- Roasting pan
- Meat thermometer
- Small saucepan
- Carving set
- Large cutting board
- Serving platter
Brown Sugar & Honey-Glazed Ham Recipe
Ingredients
- 8-10 pound fully cooked ham, bone-in (shank or leg)
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsps Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
Instructions
- Remove packaging from the ham. Let rest at room temperature for an hour.
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Move rack to bottom of oven.
- If desired, remove outer rind from ham. This will make a crispier crust. Slide knife under the rind to loosen and peel back. Make sure to leave the white fat on the ham. Make 1/4 inch deep slices in a diamond pattern across the ham, with lines about 1 inch apart.
- Line a roasting pan or baking tray with aluminum foil. Place ham in pan and pour water in bottom of pan. Cover with foil and put in the oven for 30 minutes.
- To make the glaze, melt the butter in a small saucepan and stir frequently until golden brown. Add the brown sugar, honey, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves and stir until the sugar dissolves. Set aside and allow to cool.
- Once ham has baked for 30 minutes, remove from oven and increase temperature to 425°F.
- Brush 1/3 of the glaze all over the ham, making sure to get it in the cuts. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes.
- Repeat this 2 more times, brushing another 1/3 of the glaze on the ham each time. Baste the ham with the juices from the pan. Remove the ham once it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F.
- Let the ham rest for 15 minutes before carving and serving.
Notes
What’s your favorite ham and wine pairing?
Leave a Reply