Elevated charcuterie boards are enjoying a moment in the spotlight, bringing traditional dishes like pâté and rillette out of obscurity and onto our plates once again. Because these old-world dishes are relatively new to many of us, it can be tricky finding the perfect wine pairings to go with your fresh deli picks!
Whether you’re #TeamRedWine or #TeamWhiteWine, there’s a duo for everybody that will make the flavors of your charcuterie accoutrements shine. Here are our favorite sommelier-approved suggestions.
Pâté en Croute is a traditional French dish, often served on special occasions or celebrations. The crust – crispy on the outside and soft on the inside – offers a delightful texture that gives way to a rich, savory center. We love pairing this pâté with an old-world dry red wine, such as Côtes de Bordeaux Castillon, Côtes de Bourg or Haut-Médoc.
Pâté de Campagne is a rustic pork-based appetizer perfumed with herbs and spices. Serve with pickles and grain mustard alongside some cheeses for an excellent charcuterie centerpiece, or enjoy it on bread as a light lunch. To best highlight the complex flavors in this pâté, try it with Beaujolais, a light-bodied red wine from Lyon – the spiritual homeland of charcuterie. If you’re #TeamWhiteWine, a lively bottle of Quincy would also be perfect!
Rillettes de Gasgogne are another French gastronomic specialty, made of rich, shredded duck meat cooked over several hours in preserved fat. It’s hard to go wrong with this delectable dish, but to really make the flavors sing, try it with a dry “young” red wine like Languedoc Quatourze or Saint-Chinian Roquebrun. For a white option, select a mineral-forward from the Bergerac region.
French garlic sausages and French pork salami are just a few of our favorite charcuterie staples. They’re fragrant, aromatic, and perfectly shaped for easy slicing and cracker adornment. For flavorful, dry-end sausages like these, we suggest a very light Beaujolais-type red wine, or a slightly woody white like Minervois, or Corbières.
And #TeamRosé, don’t worry – we haven’t forgotten you! Several regions specialize in producing charcuterie-ready pink wines. Next time you’re at the wine store, look for selections from Tavel, Bandol, Cabardès, Collioure, Corbières, or even Côtes du Rhône and you’ll be good to go!w