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Lentil Soup Wine Pairing (8 Best Wines)

As the chilly weather starts to set in, many of us begin to crave warm and hearty soups.

And with Thanksgiving just around the corner, there’s no better time to start stocking up on delicious recipes for the winter season.

One of my favorites is lentil soup—it’s simple, healthy (speaking of healthy: check out my post on What Salad Goes with Lentil Soup), and filling.

But what kind of wine should you serve with it?

There are many options for wine to serve with lentil soup. A light-bodied red wine, like a Pinot Noir, would be a good choice. You could also try a white wine, like a Sauvignon Blanc, or a rosé. If you want to try something different, you could even go for a sparkling wine or champagne.

Check out my list of 8 wines that will perfectly pair with lentil soup!

Read Also: 10 Best Toppings for Lentil Soup

What Kind of Wine to Serve with Lentil Soup

What Kind of Wine to Serve with Lentil Soup?

There are many different types of lentil soup, from Indian dal to French cassoulet, so the wine you serve with it will depend on the ingredients and flavors in your soup.

If your soup is more savory, with ham or bacon, then a red wine would be a good choice. If your soup is more like a vegetarian stew, then a white wine or rosé would be better.

And if your soup is Indian-style, with curry spices, then you could try a Riesling or Gewürztraminer.

Keep scrolling for more options!

See Also: 50 Best Soups with Turnips

wines

1. Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc

Have you tried Sauvignon Blanc with soup?

It’s a great pairing!

The wine’s bright acidity and herbal notes complement the richness of the soup perfectly.

Plus, it’s a great way to add a little extra dimension to your meal.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when pairing Sauvignon Blanc with soup:

  • The acidity of the wine will help to cut through the richness of the soup, so look for a wine that has good acidity.
  • The herbal notes in the wine will also be a nice complement to the soup, so look for a wine with plenty of herbal aromatics.
  • You can also use the wine to add a little extra flavor to the soup. Just add a splash or two to the soup while it’s cooking.

Sauvignon Blanc is a great wine to pair with soup, so give it a try the next time you’re looking for a new pairing.

2. Chardonnay

Chardonnay

Another super popular option, Chardonnay has a bit more weight to it and thus can hold up against heartier soups.

Its natural butteriness also means it can be a nice pairing for cream-based soups.

When serving Chardonnay with soup, avoid wines that are too oaky or buttery, as they can overwhelm the soup.

Instead, look for a wine that is light- to medium-bodied with subtle oak flavors.

Chardonnay is also a good choice for serving with fish soup.

3. Riesling

Dry Riesling

When serving lentil soup (note: check out these lentil soup sides), I also like to enjoy a glass of Riesling.

I find that the fruity, slightly sweet notes of the wine help to balance out the earthy flavors of the soup.

Plus, the acidity of the Riesling helps to cut through the richness of the soup.

When choosing a Riesling to serve with soup, you’ll want to take a few things into consideration.

First, consider the sweetness level of the wine.

If you’re serving a sweeter soup, you’ll want to choose a off-dry or semi-sweet Riesling.

If you’re serving a savory soup, you’ll want to choose a dry Riesling.

Secondly, consider the body of the wine.

If you’re serving a light soup, you’ll want to choose a light-bodied Riesling.

If you’re serving a hearty soup, you’ll want to choose a fuller-bodied Riesling.

Here are a few tips for serving Riesling with soup:

  • If you’re serving a sweeter soup, pair it with an off-dry or semi-sweet Riesling.
  • If you’re serving a savory soup, pair it with a dry Riesling.
  • If you’re serving a light soup, pair it with a light-bodied Riesling.
  • If you’re serving a hearty soup, pair it with a fuller-bodied Riesling.

4. Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc

This wine is known for its fresh, fruity flavor, and it pairs well with soup because it can help to cut through the richness of the dish.

When choosing a Chenin Blanc, look for one that has good acidity, as this will help to balance out the flavors of the soup.

You may also want to consider serving a white wine with soup on a special occasion, as it can add a touch of elegance to the meal.

5. Beaujolais Nouveau

Beaujolais Nouveau
Source: winefolly.com

Although not many people know it, Beaujolais Nouveau pairs quite nicely with soup.

The light, fruity flavors of the wine help to brighten up hearty soups, and the wine’s acidity can help to cut through some of the richness of the soup.

When pairing Beaujolais Nouveau with soup, it is important to consider the flavors of both the wine and the soup, and to try to find a balance between them.

For example, a Beaujolais Nouveau with brighter, fruitier flavors would pair well with a more delicate soup, while a Beaujolais Nouveau with more earthy, minerally flavors would pair well with a heartier soup.

Ultimately, it is up to you to experiment and see what you like best!

6. Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir

I’m sure you’ve heard of Pinot Noir before – it’s a very popular wine.

I personally love serving it with soup because of its light, slightly fruity flavor.

It’s versatile enough to go with almost any type of soup, but I particularly like it with lentil soup and creamy or tomato-based soups.

When serving Pinot Noir with soup, there are two things to keep in mind.

First, make sure the wine is at the correct temperature- too cold and it will taste bland, too warm and it will taste bitter.

Second, remember that wine is an accompaniment to the soup, not the star of the show.

Don’t pour too much, or you’ll end up taking away from the soup’s flavor.

7. Merlot

Merlot

Oh, Merlot. This wine is one of my favorites to serve with soup.

It has such a rich, full flavor that really enhances the soup’s flavor.

Plus, it’s a great conversation starter. “Have you tried the Merlot with the soup? It’s amazing!”

There are a few things to consider when pairing Merlot with soup.

First, what kind of soup are you serving?

Is it a creamy soup or a broth-based soup?

Creamy soups can handle a heavier wine, like Merlot, while broth-based soups might be overpowered by it.

Second, what are the flavors in the soup?

Merlot is a great complement to earthy, hearty flavors like mushrooms, squash, and beef.

If your soup has those flavors, Merlot is a great choice.

Finally, think about the occasion.

Merlot is a great wine for a casual dinner party or a family gathering.

If you’re looking to impress your guests, though, you might want to choose a different wine.

8. Sangiovese

Sangiovese

Lastly on my list of favorite wines to serve with lentil soup is Sangiovese.

This is a wine that has a lot of flavor and can really stand up to hearty soups.

Sangiovese is also a great wine to serve with grilled meats or vegetables.

When choosing a Sangiovese, look for one that is medium-bodied with good acidity.

Some Sangiovese can be a bit tannic, so if you are serving this wine with a soup that is already quite hearty, you may want to choose a wine that is a bit more fruit-forward.

wines

What Kind of Wine to Serve with Lentil Soup (8 Best Wines)

When it comes to pairing wine with food, there are no hard and fast rules.
However, I always find that a dry red wine goes well with lentil soup.
The acidity of the wine helps to cut through the richness of the soup, and the tannins add an interesting dimension of flavor. I like to choose a wine with moderate tannins and good acidity, such as a Grenache or Pinot Noir.
However, ultimately the best pairing is the one that you enjoy the most. So don't be afraid to experiment until you find a combination that you love.
Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 2 minutes
Course Wine
Cuisine American, French
Servings 4 people
Calories 410 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Chardonnay
  • Riesling
  • Chenin Blanc
  • Beaujolais Nouveau
  • Pinot Noir
  • Merlot
  • Sangiovese

Instructions
 

  • Pick your favorite wine from this list to serve with your lentil soup.
  • Prepare the rest of your meal.
  • Enjoy in no time!
Keyword What Kind of Wine to Serve with Lentil Soup
CEO at Happy Muncher | benjamin@happymuncher.com | Website | + posts

Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.