Wine to serve with salad: which one to choose for each type

Salads are one of the most versatile, fresh dishes that we can enjoy all year, particularly in the hotter months. Although we don’t always think of wine to go with salad dishes, the truth is that there are many delicious pairings that bring out the flavours of the vegetables, fruit and dressings. The secret is to choose the right wine for each type of salad.

If you would like to discover more about choosing the ideal wine for each occasion, we recommend you read our article “Key tips to choosing the right wine”.

Since salads are fresh, light meals, they tend to pair well with wines that are not too prevalent on the palate. Young white and rosé wines are the ideal choice, and also some mild reds. The key is to find wines with balanced acidity, freshness and fruity notes that pair well with the salad, without overpowering the taste. Salad can also pair well with red wine. For example:

• Pulse salad (lentils, chickpeas): a young, light red such as a young Tempranillo, pairs wonderfully with the creamy texture of the pulses.
• Salad with mature cheese or cured ham: a crianza aged wine pairs well with these salads, conferring structure to balance out the stronger taste of the ingredients.
• Griddled chicken or cold beef salad: a young, fruity red is the ideal pairing for these salads.

In this case, you can apply the rule of harmony by intensity which we discussed in the article “Key tips to choosing the right wine”, i.e. the stronger the ingredient, a more full-bodied wine is required.

White and rosé wines pair perfectly well with fresh salads:

• Lettuce and tomato salad: The most traditional, popular salad, mixing the green of the lettuce with one of the key products of the Mediterranean diet. Fresh tomatoes, olives, onion, tuna, boiled egg and asparagus are just some of the ingredients we can add to this salad, usually served with an olive oil and vinegar dressing. A young white such as Verdejo or Sauvignon Blanc will confer freshness and acidity.
• Citrus or fresh fruit salad: A Sauvignon blanc white wine will pair perfectly with vegetables, cucumbers and citrus dressings. The acidity and mineral hints keep the taste light and clean. These wines confer energy to any dish, particularly ones with hints of acid or herbs.
• Caesar salad: The creaminess of the Caesar dressing, Parmesan cheese and griddled chicken - this salad is just begging for an acidic wine to counter the fat, but also with sufficient depth to hold off the stronger flavours. A full-bodied Chardonnay or a cask-fermented white will balance the creamy dressing and the chicken.
• Caprese salad (tomato, mozzarella cheese, basil): A good tomato and mozzarella cheese salad with an olive oil dressing, a true delight on the palate, and more so with quality ingredients. A Mediterranean rosé wine or a fresh white such as an Albariño will make an excellent choice.

Here are some general tips for pairing wine with salads:

• Acidic dressing, fresh wine: the more acidity the dressing (vinaigrette, citrus), the more acidic the wine should be to balance out the dish.
• Main ingredients: think if the main salad ingredient is light (lettuce, tomato, cucumber), or richer (cheese, meat, pulses).
• Avoid wine with excessive tannin content: they can clash with the fresh, bitter taste of some vegetables.
• Brave the bubbles: a Brut cava can be the perfect pairing for any salad, as it is clean and refreshing on the palate.

All these tips follow the logic of harmony or contrast.

Where to find the best wines to pair with salads at Consum? 

In the wine section at your local Consum supermarket you will find a wide assortment of white, rosé and young reds that pair perfectly with salads. From a refreshing Verdejo to a Mediterranean rosé, you will be able to choose the wine that best pairs with your recipe, and surprise your guests with a simple, perfect pairing.

The following is a quick guide to make choosing the right wine easier:

Green salad (lettuce, tomato, cucumber)

• Ideal wine: A young white (Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc). Refreshing, conferring a touch of acidity to balance the freshness of the vegetables.

Caprese salad (tomato, mozzarella cheese, basil)

• Ideal wine: Mediterranean rosé or Albariño. It will pair well with the tomato and creamy mozzarella cheese.

Caesar salad (chicken, parmesan cheese, creamy dressing)

• Ideal wine: Crianza aged Chardonnay. The full-body of the wine balances out the dressing and brings out the flavour of the chicken.

Pulse salad (chickpeas, lentils, beans)

• Ideal wine: Young, fruity red wine (young Tempranillo). Confers freshness, without overpowering the creaminess of the pulses.

Shellfish or fish salad

• Ideal wine: Brut cava or Godello. The bubbles clean the palate and bring out the taste of the sea.

Find these wines at Consum’s Bodega and discover how a simple pairing can transform your salads into a special dish.