Food Pairing · Poultry Pairings
The Perfect Wine for Roast Chicken & Sunday Lunch
Roast chicken is a canvas — mild, juicy and versatile enough to take almost any wine. The best partner balances the golden skin, the herbs and the pan juices.
This guide offers a wine recommendation for every roast-chicken style, from simple midweek bird to herb-crusted Sunday centrepiece.
By Worldwide Wines Reviews Team
White wine partners
Chardonnay (lightly oaked), White Burgundy or a rich Viognier match the crackling skin and buttery pan juices. Sauvignon Blanc suits herb-roasted birds with a squeeze of lemon.
- Simple roast — Chardonnay, Macon-Villages
- Herb & lemon chicken — Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino
- Buttery roast — White Burgundy, Viognier
Red wine partners
Pinot Noir is the classic red for chicken, offering silky red fruit without overpowering. For spiced or glazed birds, try Grenache blends or a soft CĂ´tes-du-RhĂ´ne.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pinot Noir or Chardonnay better with roast chicken?â–ľ
Both excellent — choose Pinot for red, Chardonnay for white. The deciding factor is the sauce and your preference.
What about crispy fried chicken?â–ľ
Opt for sparkling or an off-dry Riesling — the bubbles and sweetness cut the fried crust delightfully.
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Wines To Try
Burgundy Chardonnay
Burgundy · 2024 (representative vintage)
Burgundy Chardonnay is an white wine from France, in the Burgundy region (Eastern-central France, running in a narrow band from Chablis in the north to Beaujolais in the south.), made principally from Chardonnay. a house-style Burgundy chardonnay that showcases the grape in this region.
$12–$28 est. retail
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is an red wine from United States, in the Willamette Valley region (Western Oregon, a broad fertile valley running between the Coast Range and the Cascade Mountains, around Portland and Salem.), made principally from Pinot Noir. a house-style Willamette Valley pinot noir that showcases the grape in this region.
$14–$34 est. retail
E. Guigal Condrieu La Doriane
Rhône Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)
E. Guigal Condrieu La Doriane is an white wine from France, in the Rhône Valley region (Eastern France, following the Rhône river from Lyon south to Avignon and the Mediterranean.), made principally from Viognier. A barrel-fermented Viognier benchmark from steep terraces above the Rhône — opulent yet precise.
$130–$220 est. retail