French Onion Soup Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for French Onion Soups

Have you ever had a recipe that, no matter how hard you try to replicate it – something is just missing?

That’s the problem I run into every time I make French onion soup.

But recently I discovered the solution to this age-old conundrum: The right wine can take a good dish and turn it into an incredible culinary experience.

When looking for a great French onion soup pairing, you need to understand what flavors are in the dish and then find wines that will harmonize with them.

To help out with this process, we’ve curated eight of the best wines for French onion soup that are sure to elevate your culinary experience.

Whether you’re cooking up a batch of homemade classic French Onion Soup or serving store-bought, these selections will bring out all of its intense flavor profiles and ensure your guests get an unforgettable meal!

So, what wine goes with French onion soup?

The best wines to pair with French onion soup are Beaujolais, Pinot Noir, Barbera, Chardonnay, or Pinot Gris. These red and white wines have a medium body and just the right amount of acidity to complement the saltiness of this dish.

Why Consider Serving Wine With French Onion Soup?

French onion soup is a classic, hearty dish that can be enjoyed any time of year. But what many people don’t know is that a great bottle of wine can really make the meal even more special and elevate the flavors of your soup.

Whether you are looking to enjoy an intimate dinner with friends or share a cozy night in with family, finding the right pairing for your French onion soup might just be one of the best ways to turn it into an unforgettable culinary experience.

By choosing the right type of wine, you can accentuate certain qualities in both the broth and onions while eliminating unwanted bitterness. With such a wide variety available on today’s market, there is sure to be something out there just perfect for your next bowl of delicious French Onion Soup!

The Best Red Wines For French Onion Soup

Red wines can be a great pairing for French onion soup. The intense flavors of the onions, caramelized and simmered in beef stock, pair perfectly with the boldness of red wines.

Try a light- to medium-bodied red such as Beaujolais or Pinot Noir. These will provide an intensity that stands up to the full flavor of the soup without overpowering it. Grenache and Cote du Rhone are also good options for slightly more tannic wines that can still stand up to the flavor of the soup without being too heavy on your palate.

For something with even more depth, try a Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah from France’s Rhone region. These bolder varieties will bring out subtle notes in both components of this meal that you may not have noticed before!

The Best White Wines For French Onion Soup

White wines offer a fresh and zesty kick to French onion soup. While red wines are usually preferred with this dish, white wines can also be great pairings depending on the ingredients used.

For classic French onion soup, opt for a rich and buttery Chardonnay or an oaky Viognier. Both of these varieties tend to have more body than other whites like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris, so they stand up better against the rich flavors in the soup.

If you’re making a lighter version of French onion soup that includes less cheese and cream, then look for crisp whites like Riesling or Chenin Blanc which will pair nicely with its acidic notes without overpowering it. You could also consider sparkling whites such as Prosecco or Champagne if you want something special for your dinner table!

The Best Rosé Wines For French Onion Soup

Rosé wines are the perfect accompaniment for French Onion Soup! With the combination of sweet and savory elements in this soup, pairing it with a dry and acidic rosé wine lifts up all the flavors and complements it perfectly.

Look for a rosé with light notes of fruit and floral aromas to pair with your French Onion Soup. A good rule of thumb is to select a rosé that comes from a cooler climate, as these tend to be lighter in body yet still have great complexity.

Some delicious varieties you can try include Cabernet Franc Rosés from Loire Valley, Grenache/Garnacha blended Rosés from Provence or Spain, Pinot Noir based Rosés from California or Oregon, Mourvèdre-based Rosés from South Australia or France’s Languedoc-Rousillon region.

As long as you pick something refreshingly crisp but also bold enough to stand up against the hearty flavor of your French Onion Soup – you can’t go wrong!

Other Wines To Pair With French Onion Soup

So far, we’ve discussed the best red, white, and rosé wines to pair with a French onion soup. But there are a few other types of wines you can serve with this delicious dish too!

An off-dry Reisling is an excellent choice for those who want something a bit sweeter than the dry options above. Other sweet or semi-sweet whites like Gewurztraminer or Moscato are also nice choices. If you’re looking for an unusual pairing, consider trying something sparkling like an Italian Prosecco or Spanish Cava.

Finally, if you want to go in the completely opposite direction and really mix things up, why not try a slightly tart unoaked red? Pinot Noir fits into this category nicely and will complement French onion soup quite nicely when served lightly chilled.

5 Tips For Picking A Wine

If you’re looking to find the best wine to pair with a delicious bowl of French onion soup, then these five tips can help.

1. First, consider the flavors in the soup – is it savory and rich or light and delicate? Depending on which route your recipe takes, you want to pick a wine that will either complement or contrast it.
2. Second, consider the ingredients used in your soup – some onions can be particularly sweet while other varieties have more of a pungent flavor. A robust red may work well for one type of onion but not another.
3. Third, think about what kind of cheese you are using for your recipe – grated Parmesan pairs better with white wines than gruyere does for instance.
4. Fourthly, when pairing food and drinks it’s important to pay attention to textures as well: if there’s cream in your French onion soup then look for a creamy chardonnay; if it’s vegetarian-based try an off-dry Riesling or Gewurztraminer instead.
5. Finally, don’t forget about acidity levels when choosing a wine – acidic whites will cut through any fat content while tannic reds bring out earthier flavors like mushrooms or beef stock– so take this into account too!

French Onion Soup Wine Pairing: 3 Ways To Go About It

When it comes to French Onion Soup wine pairing, there are three ways you can go about it.

1. The first option is to pair a classic red or white wine with the soup. A good example of this would be a full-bodied Chardonnay for white wines and Cabernet Sauvignon for reds. These classic options are sure to complement the rich flavors of your French onion soup perfectly!
2. Secondly, you could consider trying an unexpected pairing that adds an extra touch of flavor to the dish – perhaps something like a sparkling rosé or even a lightly sweet Riesling would work nicely here. The sweetness from the wine will help offset some of the strong flavors in the soup and make your meal a truly unique experience.
3. Lastly, if you’re feeling adventurous, why not explore some new pairings? Consider trying something like Chenin Blanc with its juicy acidity and fruity flavors; Sauvignon Blanc which brings herbal notes; or perhaps Viognier with its floral aromas and honeyed palate!

Serving Temperature And Glassware

When it comes to serving temperature, this is something that really depends on the type of wine you are using. Generally speaking, red wines should be served at room temperature or slightly above.

White wines can be served chilled and rosé wines should be served lightly chilled.

The glassware you use will depend on the style and type of wine you are pouring into your glasses – some people prefer to pair white wines with narrower glasses while other people enjoy wider glasses for crisp whites.

Red wines usually require a larger bowl shape to help release all their aromas and flavors.

When it comes to an elegant dinner like French onion soup, I personally recommend using stemless glasses for both red and white varieties as they look great but have enough of a surface area to allow the bouquet of your favorite tipple out!

Conclusion

French onion soup is a hearty and warming dish that can be enjoyed year-round. With its rich flavor profile, the right wine pairing can make all the difference in bringing out the best flavors of this classic dish.

So, what wine pairs well with French onion soup?

The best wines to pair with French onion soup are Beaujolais, Pinot Noir, Barbera, and Chardonnay. These wines have a good balance of acidity and tannins which will help to cut through the richness of the soup. Pinot Gris can also be a great pairing as it adds a lightness and sweetness that complements the flavor of the soup.

Choosing the perfect companion to your French onion soup will depend on both personal preference and pairing style.

Consider trying different varietals to find what you love most, from full-bodied reds to fruity whites or even a dry rosé.

Be sure not to forget about other wines like sherry, port, or sparkling wines which could also pair beautifully with French onion soup depending on how it’s prepared.

Most importantly, remember that there are no set rules when it comes to serving food with wine so have fun exploring different combinations until you find one that’s just right!