Pork chops are versatile. They are juicy, moist, and delicious, but not perfect.
Your pork chops will never be perfect unless you serve them with a glass of wine. Wine can make or break pork chops. So, it’s best to choose a wine that complements and enhances the pork chops.
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Do You Drink Red or White Wine With Pork Chops?
You can pair pork chops with red or white or both wines. There will always be those that believe pork chops should be served with white wines and those who think pork chops pair better with red wine.
However, you don’t have to choose between red and white wine for pork chop wine pairings.
The pairing does not come down to red or white wine. It will depend on the pork chop cut and the sauce you serve it with.
Tips for Wine Pairings
As I mentioned above, the wine pairing depends on the cooking method and the pork chop cut.
Types of Pork Chops
It can be confusing to buy pork chops and pair them with wine since there are so many cuts of pork chops.
For example, there are loin sirloin chops, loin blade chops, rib chops, shoulder blade chops, and so many more cuts of pork chops.
Loin Sirloin Chops
Loin sirloin chops are the most tender type of pork chops. They’re also the most expensive type of pork chop. Loin sirloin chops are taken from the loin and rib section of the animal.
Loin sirloin chops are lean and tender. They need a light-bodied, mildly flavored wine such as Pinot Noir or Beaujolais.
Loin Blade Chops
Loin blade chops are fattier and have more connective tissue. They are chewy and need to be brined or marinated to give them a tender texture.
Since marinades have strong flavors and brines are salty, loin blade chops need a wine with high acidity and citrus profile.
Rib Chops
Rib chops typically have more fat than the pork chop cuts mentioned above. Rib chops have a strip of fat on one side of the meat, which prevents it from drying out.
Rib chops have a large section of meat called the eye, and the rib bone is still attached.
Shoulder Blade Chops
Shoulder blade chops are tough and fatty. They contain a lot of connective tissues, but the rich fat levels give these pork chops the most flavor.
Shoulder blade chops are also the most affordable and smallest pork chops. They are better braised, so acidic; fruity wines are best.
The cooking method also matters when pairing pork chops with wine.
What Wine Pairs With Pork Chops?
Not all wines pair with pork chops. For example, pan-fried pork chops with cooked herbs have a savory, slightly sweet flavor. Therefore, light-bodied, fruity wines are best for pan-seared pork chops.
However, fried pork chops work best with acidic wines. This pork chop paring guide will focus on simple yet flavorful cooking techniques.
Stuffed Pork Chops
Typical ingredients for stuffed pork chops include pecans and apples. However, stuffed pork chops can also have mushrooms, bacon, cheese, herbs, and other ingredients that pair well with pork chops.
Fruity wines such as Merlot or Pinot Noir work best with stuffed pork chops. The fruity flavor accentuates the flavors of the apples, but they also complement the savory pork chops perfectly.
If you want to serve your stuffed pork chops with white wine, opt for a Riesling. Riesling has a fruity flavor that perfectly complements the pork chop’s savory flavor.
Roasted Pork Chops
Unfortunately, roasting pork chops can make them slightly dry. Pinot Grigio is the perfect wine to serve pork chops with, as it will mask the pork chop’s dryness.
The acidity and light earthy flavors balance out the flavor of the roasted pork chops.
Although this pairing can work with most of the pork chop cuts mentioned above, it’s best for fattier cuts. The acidity will balance out the fattiness.
Smoked Pork Chops
Smoked pork chops pair perfectly with wines that have a subtle smokiness. However, pork chops seasoned with intensely flavored spices may overpower the wine’s flavor. Northern Rhone Syrah goes well with pork chops.
Cabernet Sauvignon also pairs well with pork chops, especially if it has subtle tobacco notes. The tobacco notes will amplify the pork chop’s smoky flavor.
Pinot Noir is also a great option that will not overwhelm the flavor of the smoked pork chops. It has earthy tones that accentuate the smoky flavor of the smoked pork chops.
Grilled Rib Pork Chops
Pinot Grigio adds an acidic flavor that is perfect for grilled pork chops. Some wines can add too much acidity and ruin the pork chop’s flavor. However, Pinot Grigio has an excellent balance of acidity and subtle fruity flavors.
These subtle but powerful flavors balance out the pork chops’ savory, char, and smoky flavors.
Pan Fried Pork Chops
Pan-fried pork chops are fried in oil, making this a rich and fatty dish. Therefore, you will need a wine with higher acidity levels to help offset the fat.
Additionally, you can also serve the pan-fried pork chops with a wine that has a more robust flavor. Since it is a rich, fatty dish, the bold flavor will not overpower the pork chops flavor.
Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel all work well with pan-fried pork chops. These wines pack an acidity that cuts through the grease and a flavor that accentuates the crispy, crunchy pan-fried pork chops.
Final Thoughts
Whether they are baked, roasted, smoked, grilled, or fried, serving pork chops without a glass of wine is wrong. Luckily you won’t have to go through the trouble of guessing which wine pairs with pork chops since you’ve got this pairing guide.
You can even experiment with different wines until you land on a pairing you love.