Pad Thai Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for Pad Thai
Are you looking to elevate your dining experience with Pad Thai?
If so, you may want to consider adding the perfect bottle of wine to your meal.
Pad Thai is a dish that is bursting with flavors, from the slightly sweet tamarind to the mildly spicy chili peppers, and it can be a challenge to find the right wine to complement all of those flavors.
That’s where pad thai wine pairing comes in.
So, what wine goes with pad thai?
The best wines to pair with pad thai are Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Sylvaner, and Beaujolais. These light-bodied and acidic wines can cut through the intense flavors of a traditional pad thai dish. For a more flavorful pairing, try a white or red Burgundy or Rhone wine.
In this article, we’ll explore the best wines to pair with Pad Thai, including both red and white wines, as well as some other options you may not have considered.
We’ll also provide some tasty Pad Thai and wine dinner serving ideas, tips on serving temperature and glassware, and conclude with our recommendations for the best Pad Thai wine pairing options.
So, grab a glass, and let’s dive into the world of Pad Thai wine pairing.
Why Consider Serving Wine With Pad Thai?
If you’re a fan of Pad Thai, you may be wondering why you should even consider pairing it with wine. After all, Pad Thai is a popular street food dish in Thailand, and wine is not typically associated with this type of cuisine.
However, there are several reasons why serving wine with Pad Thai can enhance your dining experience.
- Wine can balance the flavors of Pad Thai: Pad Thai is a dish that is full of different flavors, from sweet to salty to sour to spicy. A well-chosen wine can help balance these flavors and enhance the overall taste of the dish.
- Wine can enhance the aromas: Aromas are an important aspect of any meal, and wine can help bring out the aromas of the ingredients in Pad Thai. This can make the dish more enjoyable and flavorful.
- Wine can create a more sophisticated dining experience: Pairing wine with Pad Thai can take your dining experience to the next level. It can make the meal feel more special and sophisticated, and add a touch of elegance to the overall experience.
- Wine can be a conversation starter: Serving wine can also be a great conversation starter. It can be a fun way to introduce your guests to new wines and start a discussion about wine and food pairing.
The Best Red Wines For Pad Thai
When it comes to pairing red wine with Pad Thai, it’s important to choose a wine that is not too heavy or overpowering. Light to medium-bodied red wines with low tannins and high acidity work best with the complex flavors of Pad Thai.
Here are some of the best red wines to pair with Pad Thai:
- Beaujolais: Beaujolais is a light-bodied red wine made from Gamay grapes. It has low tannins and high acidity, which makes it a great pairing for Pad Thai. The fruity and floral notes of Beaujolais complement the flavors of Pad Thai, especially if the dish includes chicken or tofu.
- Pinot Noir: Pinot Noir is a medium-bodied red wine that is low in tannins and high in acidity. It has fruity notes of cherry and raspberry, which make it a good match for the sweetness of Pad Thai. It also has earthy undertones that complement the nuttiness of chopped almonds.
- Zinfandel: Zinfandel is a medium to full-bodied red wine that has high tannins and acidity. It has fruity notes of blackberry and raspberry, which can complement the sweetness of Pad Thai. Zinfandel also has a spicy character that can enhance the mild spiciness of the dish.
The Best White Wines For Pad Thai
When it comes to pairing white wine with Pad Thai, you’ll want to choose a wine that is not too dry or too sweet. A white wine with a touch of sweetness and high acidity will work best with the sweet, sour, and spicy flavors of Pad Thai.
Here are some of the best white wines to pair with Pad Thai:
- Riesling: Riesling is a white wine that is known for its floral and fruity notes, and its touch of sweetness. The sweetness of Riesling can complement the sweetness of Pad Thai, while the high acidity can balance the sour and spicy notes of the dish.
- Sauvignon Blanc: Sauvignon Blanc is a dry white wine with high acidity that can cut through the sweetness and spiciness of Pad Thai. It has herbaceous and citrus notes that can complement the flavors of the dish, especially if it includes shrimp.
- Sylvaner: Sylvaner is a white wine that is light-bodied with a touch of sweetness and high acidity. It has floral and fruity notes that can complement the sweetness of Pad Thai, while the acidity can balance the spiciness of the dish.
- Prosecco: Prosecco is a sparkling wine that is light and refreshing with a touch of sweetness. It has fruity and floral notes that can complement the flavors of Pad Thai, while the bubbles can refresh your palate between bites.
The Best Rosé Wines For Pad Thai
Rosé wine can be a great option to pair with Pad Thai. It has a refreshing acidity and a touch of sweetness that can complement the flavors of the dish.
Here are some of the best rosé wines to pair with Pad Thai:
- Rosé d’Anjou: Rosé d’Anjou is a light-bodied rosé wine that is slightly sweet and has a refreshing acidity. It has fruity notes of strawberry and raspberry that can complement the sweetness of Pad Thai.
- Rosé de Provence: Rosé de Provence is a dry rosé wine with high acidity that can balance the sweetness and spiciness of Pad Thai. It has floral and fruity notes that can complement the flavors of the dish, especially if it includes shrimp.
- White Zinfandel: White Zinfandel is a sweet rosé wine with low acidity that can complement the sweetness of Pad Thai. It has fruity notes of strawberry and watermelon that can enhance the flavors of the dish.
Other Wines To Pair With Pad Thai
While the best wines for Pad Thai are typically white, red, or rosé, there are other wines that can also work well with this dish.
Here are some other wines to consider when pairing wine with Pad Thai:
- Gewürztraminer: Gewürztraminer is a white wine that has a spicy and floral character. It can complement the spiciness of Pad Thai and bring out the flavors of the dish.
- Chenin Blanc: Chenin Blanc is a white wine with a touch of sweetness and high acidity. It can balance the sweet and sour flavors of Pad Thai and enhance the flavors of the dish.
- Gamay: Gamay is a red wine that is light-bodied and has low tannins. It can complement the nuttiness of chopped almonds in Pad Thai and bring out the flavors of the dish.
- Lambrusco: Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine that has a touch of sweetness and high acidity. It can complement the sweet and spicy flavors of Pad Thai and refresh your palate between bites.
5 Tasty Pad Thai And Wine Dinner Serving Ideas
Here are five tasty Pad Thai and wine dinner serving ideas to inspire you:
- Riesling and Shrimp Pad Thai: Pair a chilled glass of Riesling with a plate of shrimp Pad Thai. The sweetness of the Riesling will complement the sweetness of the shrimp, while the high acidity will balance the spiciness of the dish.
- Beaujolais and Chicken Pad Thai: Serve a glass of Beaujolais with a plate of chicken Pad Thai. The fruity and floral notes of Beaujolais will complement the flavors of the dish, especially if the dish includes tofu.
- Rosé de Provence and Tofu Pad Thai: Pair a dry rosé de Provence with a plate of tofu Pad Thai. The high acidity of the wine will cut through the sweetness of the tofu, while the floral and fruity notes will enhance the flavors of the dish.
- Sauvignon Blanc and Vegetable Pad Thai: Serve a glass of Sauvignon Blanc with a plate of vegetable Pad Thai. The herbaceous and citrus notes of the wine will complement the flavors of the vegetables, while the high acidity will balance the sweetness and spiciness of the dish.
- Prosecco and Pad Thai Noodle Salad: Pair a bottle of Prosecco with a plate of Pad Thai noodle salad. The bubbles of the wine will refresh your palate between bites, while the fruity and floral notes will complement the flavors of the dish.
Serving Temperature And Glassware
The temperature and glassware can make a big difference in the overall experience.
Here are some tips to help you serve your wine and Pad Thai in the best possible way:
- Serving Temperature: White wines should be served chilled, between 45-55°F (7-13°C), while red wines should be served at room temperature, between 60-68°F (15-20°C). Sparkling wines, such as Prosecco, should be served chilled, between 40-50°F (4-10°C).
- Glassware: When serving white wine, use a smaller bowl-shaped glass to help concentrate the aromas of the wine. For red wine, use a larger bowl-shaped glass to help aerate the wine and release its aromas. When serving sparkling wine, use a tall and narrow flute-shaped glass to help maintain the bubbles and aromas.
- Pairing Tips: When serving wine with Pad Thai, it’s important to balance the flavors of the dish with the flavors of the wine. For example, if the dish is sweet, choose a wine with a touch of sweetness to complement it. If the dish is spicy, choose a wine with high acidity to balance it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, serving wine with Pad Thai can take your dining experience to the next level.
So, what wine pairs well with Pad Thai?
The best wines to pair with Pad Thai are Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. These wines have the perfect balance of acidity and sweetness to cut through the heat of the dish while still complementing its flavors. Beaujolais and Sylvaner are also good choices.
When serving wine with Pad Thai, it’s important to consider the serving temperature and glassware to enhance the overall experience.
By following these tips and experimenting with different wine and Pad Thai pairings, you can create a sophisticated and memorable dining experience for yourself and your guests.
So, why not try a Pad Thai wine pairing at your next dinner party?
Jenny has always been passionate about cooking, and she uses her platform to share her joy of food with others. Her recipes are easy to follow, and she loves giving tips and tricks to help others create their own unique culinary creations.