Wine and Spanish ham: which wine pairs well with Serrano ham? 

If you’re preparing an appetizer and want to pair wine and ham, it’s important to choose the right wine. Not all wines pair well with cold meats—and even fewer when it comes to pork. That’s why, in this article, we’ll offer you a few recommendations to ensure your guests enjoy the experience of a good Iberian ham and wine pairing. 

Which wine pairs with cold meats? 

Correctly combining a food or dish with a specific wine is neither a silly notion nor an art reserved exclusively for specialists or gourmet chefs. Wine tasting and pairing is the key to getting the most out of a meal. This way, the flavors of both food and wine will be enhanced. If you do it properly, the sensations will be simply outstanding. 
 
However, when it comes to finding the perfect pairing for meats, don’t make the mistake of always opting for red wines. Sometimes, these can mask the flavor of the meat, reducing the intensity of the culinary experience. 
 
Various factors come into play when looking for the perfect wine. These include the specific type of meat, the way it will be cooked, and the other ingredients in the recipe. Grilled beef is not the same as a roast made in the oven, or a fried sausage, for example. 
 
As such, when it comes to pairing cold meats with wine, experts remind us that their flavors are not usually very strong. This is the case with cold cuts, carpaccio, and poultry such as chicken and turkey. For this reason, they note that it would not be a good idea to opt for a powerful, structured, and robust red wine with high tannin content and a fleshy mouth feel. 
 
Instead, they recommend pairing cold meats with rosé wines, white wines (even better if you opt for a dry white wine), or with a light red wine (such as a young red wine). 

Which wines go well with pork meat? 

When the meat you’re planning to offer your guests is pork, you have a great advantage in your favor. As a general rule, practically any type of wine pairs well with pork. As such, you can serve red wine, white, or a rosé without worrying about ruining the meal as a host. 
 
However, for a truly masterful pairing, you should stop first to think about the way you’ll be cooking the meat. This is a factor that, as you can imagine, will alter its final taste and the choice of drink pairing. A ready-to-eat cold cut is nothing like marinated or grilled meat. 
 
As a result, if you want to make barbecued pork ribs, opt for a Cabernet Sauvignon. Its red grapes have the best reputation in the world. A Tempranillo is another great choice, made from the most well-known Spanish grape. 
 
With roast meat, it’s best to open a bottle of Pinot Noir, such as our Claustre Sant Sebastià dels Gorgs Red, which is just as elegant as it is refined. This wine is equally floral and fruity. You can’t go wrong with a Merlot either, known for its rounded and balanced nature, or with a smoother and fruitier Malbec. 
 
A Viura makes the perfect partner for smoked pork served in tacos, for example. This wine is characterized by its golden yellow color and its incredibly sweet freshness, with flavors reminiscent of white fruits, such as our Ederra Viura. 
 
Likewise, the sauce accompanying your dish will play an important role. This aspect is no less important when it comes to successful pairings. At the end of the day, it will condition the resulting flavor. 

Pairing Iberian ham with wine 

Want to experience a first-class Iberian ham for the appetizers you’ve been planning? Great choice! To fully enjoy every mouthful alongside your guests, read on to discover our recommendations for the perfect pairing of wine and Serrano ham. 

Ham with red wine 

Red wines are usually the favorite for getting the most out of the characteristics of both the wine and the Iberian ham. Their flavors come together without the nuances of either one impeding those of the other. Despite this, not all reds are perfectly suited to this purpose. The best choices are young red wines and Crianza red wines. 
 
Reserva red wines are not usually highly recommended, since they can mask the flavor of the ham and may not respect its aroma. Don’t take the risk. 

Ham with white wine

White wines also pair well with Iberian ham. This is well known in Andalusia, where one of the most common appetizers includes a dish of this delicacy and a glass of Manzanilla. Who could resist this combination? 
 
If you don’t have this type of wine on hand, opt for other equally light and low-acidity whites, such as a Fino or a Crianza white wine. These slightly woody wines will create a very special experience. 

Ham with cava and sparkling wine 

Cava has a special place in the pairing of Iberian ham and is just as valid a choice as any of the above. Though you might not have thought of it at first, you can rest assured that it will work perfectly. 
 
To start off, you can try it with a sparkling wine. Our Lumen Brut Reserva, for example, will combine with and enhance the flavors of ham. Or you could also opt for a great reserve wine with Serrano ham for an interesting pairing of contrasts—in other words, this wine will cleanse the palette and allow your guests to better appreciate the ham. 

 
In conclusion, when you want to successfully pair wine and ham, opt for these types of wines. Your appetizers are sure to be spectacular and will pleasantly surprise your guests. Don’t forget that the 15 Bodegas online wine store offers all the wines you need for this and many other occasions. Visit us now!