Wines to Pair with Grilled Pork Chops – These Can Make or Break the Meal

Grilled pork chops are an American favorite when it comes to BBQ foods. However, there are so many side dishes that can be paired with it. Cornbread, potatoes, carrots, and even pan-fried apples! The possibilities are truly endless, but what about the wine? 

Should you serve red or white wine with the dish? What’s the best wine that can be used to define the flavors of the grilled pork chops instead of canceling them out? 

You do want to enjoy the taste of your food and wine after all, don’t you? So let’s get into some specifics of the wines that pair with grilled pork chops for that next family BBQ.

Does Red or White Wine go With Grilled Pork Chops?

Depending on how serious you are about seasoning the grilled pork chops, the meat itself will tend to carry a noninvasive flavor, opening the dish to the possibility of being paired with either red or white wines. 

Overall, both red and white wines offer acceptable choices to pair with grilled pork chops.

Wines that specifically carry strongly defined fruity notes really pair nicely with grilled pork chops. 

When finding the perfect wine, the flavors of both the meal and the wine work together to compliment and define the flavors of one another instead of canceling them out. 

This is why it’s important to choose the right wine to pair with any meal you are serving or in some cases, cooking!

 

Pinot Noir vs. Chardonnay – Which one pairs better with Grilled Pork Chops?

This is a question many ask, but the answer is purely based on personal preference. 

There is, however, a popular opinion among the wine community that it is indeed Pinot Noir that is the correct choice between the two, especially when it comes to cuisine with grilled pork chops. 

Listed below are some in-depth specifications for both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that may help you decide which wine you’d like to try first with the dish. Yes, please try them both! You never know if you’ll like it until you try it. 

Pinot Noir is a light-bodied red wine that carries base notes of cherry, raspberry, mushroom, clove, and even hibiscus! Its low tannins and medium-high acidic content make it a near-perfect choice for cuisine with grilled pork chops! 

Especially if you prefer red wines over white wine. Chardonnay is a medium-bodied white wine with little to no tannins and medium acidic levels. The dry wine carries base notes of yellow apple, starfruit, pineapple, vanilla, and butter. 

Its butter and yellow apple notes also make it a great white wine choice for grilled pork chops.

 

Is Rose Wine a Wrong Choice for Grilled Pork Chops?

Although Sparkling Rose should be avoided, a still Rose is a classic favorite for some when pairing it with Grilled Pork Chops. A few specific Rose wines that go well with the dish include but are not limited to Gaillac, Touraine – Ambrose, and Touraine Mesland. 

Rose doesn’t just pair with grilled pork chops as a beverage, but also many uses Rose for cooking the dish. Yes, that’s right – Rose is considered to be a good marinade for grilled pork chops. 

In addition, it offers the dish a unique flavor that will have your guests asking for the recipe.

 

Is Sparkling Wine a Wrong Choice for pairing with Grilled Pork Chops?

Sparkling wines are not recommended to pair with the dish, for the flavors might be overpowered or even canceled out due to that extra carbonation. 

However, many in the wine community will often pair wine-like champagne with the dish because it’s said to offer intense fruity notes that many often enjoy.

 

Which Wine Varieties do not pair well with Grilled Pork Chops?

While pork chops carry a very invasive flavor, creating a wide selection of fruity wines that are said to pair nicely with the dish – there are unfortunately still some wines to avoid when planning a meal with grilled pork chops or any pork in general. 

Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-body red wine with notes of black cherry, black currant, cedar, spices, and other mineral-like notes. 

Although it’s said to pair nicely with grilled meats, this wine is not preferred to be paired with grilled pork chops, but it can be paired with a pork roast if you prefer it over grilled cuisine.

Petite Sirah is a dark wine that carries strong notes of sugarplum, blueberry, dark chocolate, black pepper, and black tea. 

The full-bodied wine itself is very high in tannins with a medium acidic content. While avoiding grilled pork chops, the wine is better served with meats like steaks.

Final Thoughts on Pairing Wine with Grilled Pork Chops

Both red and white wines pair nicely with grilled pork chops when you can find the right one, that is. While both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are considered to be ideal choices for the dish, it’s Pinot Noir that’s considered to be the more popular pair of the two. 

Rose isn’t the wrong choice for being paired with grilled pork chops. It is not a bad choice – it’s just not preferred. Try marinating your pork in some Rose wine for a new experience when serving the dish at your next BBQ. 

Sparkling wine is not recommended to go with the dish. However, that doesn’t stop some within the wine community from favoring the pair. Champagne specifically is said to compliment the fat within the meat, leaving you with a more pleasurable experience. 

Wines to avoid with the dish include full-bodied reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah, leaving these wines to be paired with stronger meat like a steak.