This post and our suggested wine pairings have been updated for 2023.
When you think of wine pairings, the first that may come to mind are simple like chocolate and cheese. Many of the most popular wine and food pairings tend to be high in calories, fat, and sugar. While we all love to indulge in decedent wine pairings, these heavy foods aren’t the only yummy pairings for wine. If you enjoy pairing with wine, you have to try out our favorite healthy wine pairings.
These pairings are rich in flavor and less calorie dense than the standard cheese and meat charcuterie boards. They will have you satisfied for longer, and with less damage to your healthy eating. Katie Hoover, who is a registered dietician and Wine Guide, showcases her favorite healthy wine pairings to sample for the New Year and beyond.
Spinach Dip & White Wine
Everyone loves spinach dip for a go-to appetizer, but it’s typically not the healthiest option on the spread. Try making a staple spinach dip a healthier food pairing, by using plain Greek yogurt or fat-free sour cream as the base, instead of regular sour cream. Even just replacing half of the cream base with one of these lighter options will go a long way to making it lower in fat. Don’t forget – you can also add more veggies such as shredded carrots and celery!
Our wine pick: 2021 Caballeria de Luna, Penedès White
Turkey Chili & Red Blends
Chili is a hearty meal that you can fill with vegetables, beans, & loads of spices. Try replacing the ground beef with lean ground turkey to make this comfort food healthier without losing flavor. Be sure the chili is not too spicy, because too much heat will take over taste buds and impair your wine tasting ability. Trust us, you don’t want to lose out on getting the full tasting effect!
Coming soon! Our Wine Pick: 2021 Small Hours, Lodi Zinfandel
Salmon & Chardonnay
Salmon is an exceptionally healthy fish, because it is high in omega-3 fatty acids and a good source of vitamin D. It’s recommended that a healthy diet include two servings of fatty fish per week. You can still reap the health benefits of this fish while also enjoying good food and wine at the same time. Try pairing your favorite spicy salmon dish with a red wine. Since salmon is a meatier fish, the red wine will compliment the similar mouthfeel of a luscious red wine. Chardonnay is also a perfect pairing for salmon cooked with citrus and fresh herbs.
Our wine pick: 2018 Steeple Street, Chardonnay
Grilled Peaches & Rosé
Fruits are a great healthy option that pair with many different wines. What we love about this pairing, is not only that it’s healthy but you can offer it as a dessert option too. Simply add a drizzle of honey and fat-free Greek yogurt over some grilled peaches, and enjoy! If you want to be adventurous, try a variety of more “exotic” fruits such as star fruit, kiwi or fresh figs to make a simple fruit platter seem much more appealing. Pair up these fruity treats with a dry Rosé sporting notes of berries, melon and apples!
Our wine pick: 2021 Lancre, Rosé
Grilled Veggies & Merlot
Grilled veggies are a staple side dish, and are a healthy and delicious option to pair with a red wine with soft tannins. Try experimenting with different veggie combinations and wines to make it fun! Raw veggies can also be useful in wine pairings, especially when paired with fun dips like hummus or olive tapenade. You could even try cutting vegetables into interesting shapes for a more charming presentation. Get creative with it!
Our wine pick: 2018 Luxx, Merlot
Curry & Gewürztraminer
Get outside of the box for entertaining and instead of the standard shrimp cocktail, try making a curried shrimp dish. The tangy and spicy flavors are a perfect match to complement and enhance a good bottle of wine. A little bit of sweetness and the crispness of a white wine like Gewürztraminer contrasts well with the bold and spicy flavors of a fresh curry.
Our wine pick: 2020 Screaming Goat, Gewürztraminer
Did you find a new healthy wine pairing to love? Try it at your next free wine tasting! Reach out to your Wine Guide today to schedule your next event.