A steaming bowl of split pea soup is an incredibly comforting way to warm up on a cold winter night.
It takes simple ingredients, such as peas, broth, and seasonings, and transforms them into something special.
But when it comes to the perfect meal-time pairing for this hearty dish – what should you choose?
Wine!
Think outside the box and go beyond the classic red or white wines you’re used to – why not try a unique wine-tasting experience with your delicious split pea soup?
Logging hundreds of hours into researching top sommeliers’ recommendations for excellent pairings has led us to some remarkable finds that would enhance any dinner party.
From sauvignon blancs and herbal earthy notes in cabernet francs, we have outlined what you need to know about pairing split pea soups with wine in our informative blog post below!
So, what wine goes with split pea soup?
The best wine to pair with split pea soup is oaked Chardonnay. This full-bodied white pairs well with the earthy flavors of the pea soup, and its slight sweetness helps to balance out the salty flavors of this dish. A Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris are also good options for pairing with this hearty soup.
Why Consider Serving Wine With Split Pea Soup?
If you’re looking to add a touch of sophistication to your next soup night, the answer may be pairing your split pea soup with a glass of wine.
Serving wine with split pea soup is becoming more and more popular for good reason – it adds layers of complexity that brings out nuances in both the food and drink.
Whether you’re looking for an earthy red or a crisp white, there are several types of wines that pair perfectly with this comforting dish.
From Pinot Noirs that bring out the sweetness in the peas, to Sauvignon Blancs that balance out spicy flavors, finding the right match can turn your meal into something special.
Not only will these wines help bring out new flavors in the soup itself, but they also provide texture and depth that elevates it from being just another bowl of split pea soup.
The Best Red Wines For Split Pea Soup
When it comes to pairing your split pea soup with a red wine, you’ll want to opt for either a light, medium-bodied or heavy red. Light-bodied red wines like Pinot Noir and Gamay are perfect choices as they won’t overpower the flavor of your soup.
Medium-bodied reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will provide more dimension and depth while still being mild enough to enjoy alongside your split pea recipe.
Heavier options like Malbec, Zinfandel, and Barolo will add complexity but may be too much for some palates so choose wisely!
The Best White Wines For Split Pea Soup
White wines pair well with split pea soup because they bring out the creaminess and umami of the peas. When picking a white wine to pair with your split pea soup, look for one that has enough acidity to cut through any thick or rich ingredients in your soup.
A medium-bodied Chardonnay is an excellent choice as it brings balance and complexity to dishes like this, while not overpowering them. Other white varietals you might want to try include Viognier, Riesling, or Sauvignon Blanc.
You can also consider adding a sparkling wine such as Prosecco or Champagne for a unique twist on the classic pairing.
The Best Rosé Wines For Split Pea Soup
If you’re looking for a wine that pairs well with split pea soup, then rosé is a great option. Rosé wines have just the right balance of acidity and sweetness that pair perfectly with the creamy texture and earthy flavors of split pea soups.
The best options are dry, crisp rosés. When choosing a bottle for your soup pairing, look for something light-bodied with high acidity, such as Provence rosé or Italian vino rosato. These will cut through the richness of the soup without overpowering it.
And don’t forget to think about color – try matching lighter-colored wines to light green soups and deeper pink/red hues in darker varieties like yellow split pea or sweet potato lentil soup.
Other Wines To Pair With Split Pea Soup
If you don’t want to stick with the traditional red, white, and rosé wines for your split pea soup pairing, fear not – there are still great options out there.
Generally speaking, these other wines will be more full-bodied and have a higher acidity level than the typical wine pairings.
Try an oaked Chardonnay or a late-harvest Riesling for a rich yet mellow flavor profile that pairs perfectly with the saltiness of the split pea soup.
You could also consider stepping outside standard wine offerings entirely by opting for something like a cider or even beer to accompany your meal!
Other interesting options include sherry-based drinks such as Manzanilla and Amontillado (both Spanish styles).
While they can be enjoyed in small amounts on their own, they are especially delicious when served together with food – particularly dishes that contain legumes, like split pea soup.
5 Tips For Picking A Wine
Finding the perfect wine to pair with your split pea soup can be a daunting task, but there are some tips you can follow to help.
- Consider the flavors in your soup: Think about how the ingredients work together and how they will pair with a particular wine. For example, if you have bacon or ham in your soup, look for wines with richer flavors that will stand up to those proteins.
- Choose wines that are medium-bodied: Light-bodied wines like Pinot Grigio may not have enough flavor or body to match up with a hearty split pea soup. Instead, opt for something like Chardonnay which has more complexity and richness without being too heavy on its own.
- Look for dry wines: Dry whites such as Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling work really well here because their acidity will help cut through any fattiness from meats and add some brightness to the dish overall.
- Balance out the sweetness if needed: If you’ve added other sweet ingredients such as carrots or potatoes, consider opting for slightly sweeter white wines such as Gewürztraminer which can help balance out those sugars while still providing plenty of flavor and interest on its own merit too!
- Don’t forget about reds: Red varieties like Gamay Noir or Pinot Noir tend to be great choices when looking at red options due to their neutrality and light tannin structure – allowing them to easily stand up against strong flavors without overpowering them entirely!
Split Pea Soup Wine Pairing: 3 Ways To Go About It
When pairing wine with split pea soup, there are a few different approaches you can take. You can either choose to pair the soup and the wine separately or find something that will work well for both. Here are three ways to go about it:
- Match flavors: Pick a wine whose flavor notes match those of your split pea soup. For example, if the soup has an earthy quality, look for a red with similar characteristics like merlot or cabernet sauvignon.
- Contrasting flavors: Look for wines that will contrast with the subtle flavors of split pea soup such as sauvignon blanc or riesling which offer bright citrus notes that help bring out some of the deeper elements in the dish.
- Complimentary Aromas: Look for wines whose aromatics are complementary to those found in the dish itself including herbs like thyme, oregano, and rosemary as well as vegetable-based aromas such as onion and garlic.
Serving Temperature And Glassware
To get the most out of your split pea soup and wine pairing, it is important to consider the serving temperature and glassware.
Red wines should generally be served at room temperature or slightly chilled while white wines should be served cold. Rosé wines can be served either cold or at room temperature.
The type of glassware you serve your wine in also matters. Red wines are best enjoyed in a wide bowl-shaped glass (like a Burgundy or Bordeaux glass) that ensures the aroma of the wine will have space to develop as you sip it.
White and rosé wines, on the other hand, are best enjoyed in narrower glasses such as a Riesling or Sauvignon blanc glass to ensure their delicate aromas remain intact for that perfect taste experience!
Conclusion
Picking the best wine to pair with split pea soup can be a delightful experience. There are many options, ranging from classic red and white wines that have been paired with this comfort food for centuries, to more modern and interesting rosés.
So, what wine pairs well with split pea soup?
The best wine to pair with split pea soup is an oaked Chardonnay. This white wine has a buttery, creamy texture and flavor that pairs perfectly with the earthy flavors of split pea soup. For a more complex pairing, try a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris.
Try a few of these wines to find the perfect pairing for your favorite split pea soup recipes. Don’t forget to consider temperature when serving and make sure you’re using the right glassware.
No matter which wine you choose, it’s sure to bring out the robust flavors in any split pea soup dish.
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.