The 3 best wines with roast chicken
1 Chardonnay Full-bodied white (oaked) or crisp (unoaked)
A lightly oaked Chardonnay matches crispy skin and buttery juices.
Serve 48-55°F Good bottles from $12; top Burgundy $50+
2 Pinot Noir Light-bodied red
Earthy red fruit loves roast chicken with herbs and mushrooms.
Serve 55-60°F Decent from $15; good from $25; Burgundy can be any price
3 Gamay (Beaujolais) Light-bodied red
Juicy, chillable and easy: great for a weeknight bird.
Serve 54-58°F From $12; cru Beaujolais $18-$30
Best on a budget: Mâcon-Villages (unoaked Burgundy Chardonnay) or Beaujolais.
Also good
What to avoid
- Big tannic reds. They bully the delicate meat.
It depends how you cook it
| If you’re having… | Pour |
|---|---|
| Lemon & herb | Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay. |
| Chicken with mushrooms | Pinot Noir. |
| BBQ chicken | Zinfandel or rosé. |
| Coq au vin | Red Burgundy. |
Frequently asked questions
Does chicken go with red wine?
Yes: Pinot Noir, Beaujolais and Grenache are all great with roast chicken, especially with herbs or mushrooms.
Tried this pairing?
What readers poured
Tried Roast chicken? Tell us which bottle you opened and how it went. The first good one goes right here.
