Pork Tenderloin Wine Pairing: The 7 Most Delicious!

  • Last Updated - 3/22/23
pork tenderloin wine pairing

Quick Answer: Pinot Noir is always a good pairing with pork. But if you'd like to choose a white wine, then go for a Riesling. But one of my personal favorites has to be a Châteauneuf-du-Pape for its rich, complex flavors of dark fruits, herbs, and spices that can enhance any dining experience!

Pork tenderloin is one of the most popular dishes in America. And for good reason – it’s delicious and nutritious! But have you thought about what wine should you pair with it?

In this blog post, we will discuss 7 of the best wines to pair with pork tenderloin. And we’ll discuss both red and whites wines and go over why pairing wine works well with this dish.

Table of Contents

What is Pork Tenderloin?

roasted pork tenderloin wine with pork belly sweet sauces

Pork tenderloin is a long, thin cut of boneless meat sourced from the muscle that runs along the backbone. And it’s lean, tender, and surprisingly flavorful. Also, the meat can be cooked in many different ways, including roasting, grilling, or braising.

Furthermore, it’s known as the pork filet or fillet, pork tender, and Gentleman’s Cut.

Pork tenderloin is given an “extra lean” rating from the USDA, and it has nutritional values that are comparable to those of skinless chicken breast.

What are the Best Pork Tenderloin Wine Pairings?

1) Pinot Noir (Best with Pork)

grilled pork chops and pork loin grilled pork tenderloin

Pinot Noir has a light to medium body, with flavors of red fruit, earth, and mushrooms. These flavors pair well with the mild, sweet flavor of pork tenderloin. Plus the weight of the wine won’t overpower the lean pork dish

Also, the wine’s acidity helps to cut through the richness of the meat. While its earthy notes add complexity and depth to the dish.

Furthermore, the tannins can be astringent and overpowering when paired with delicate meats like pork. But the lower tannins in Pinot Noir allow the flavors of the wine and the meat to shine through without clashing.

Finally, pork tenderloin can be cooked in a variety of ways, but its often roasted or grilled. And these cooking methods can add a smoky or charred flavor to the meat, which can be complemented by the earthy, smoky flavors in Pinot Noir.

2) Zinfandel (Best with Spiced Pork)

If you’re looking for a pork dish with some added spice, reach for a bottle of Zinfandel. Because the wine’s pepper notes are the perfect complement to the spices and seasonings used in pork tenderloin recipes. For example, a pork tenderloin that has been seasoned with paprika or cumin. These spices can be enhanced by the spicy notes in a Zinfandel.

And the sweetness from the ripe jammy fruit flavors of the red wine can complement the natural sweetness of pork tenderloin. Thus making the perfect complementary food and wine pairing.

Overall, the ripeness, spiciness, and bold flavor of Zinfandel can make a good pork tenderloin wine pairing. Even more so, when the pork is seasoned with spices or has a slightly sweet glaze or sauce.

3) Chardonnay (Best for Creamy Sauces)

pork tenderloin mushroom creamy sauce pork chops pork chops

Chardonnay is a full-bodied white wine with a rich and creamy texture. And its elegant fruit flavors and smooth mouthfeel pair nicely with pork dishes that have a cream sauce. 

Oaked Chardonnay has flavors of vanilla, butter, and oak. And this richness can complement the tenderness of pork tenderloin while providing texture to the dish.

Also, Chardonnay typically has a moderate level of acidity, which can cut through the fat and richness of the pork tenderloin. This acidity can help to balance the flavors of the dish by providing a refreshing contrast to the meat.

Lastly, Pork tenderloin is often served with sauces that are rich and creamy, such as mushroom sauce or Dijon mustard sauce. Therefore, the creaminess of the wine can complement the richness of the sauce. Plus its subtle oak notes provide a nice contrast to the pork’s natural flavors.

4) Riesling (Best with Apple Flavors)

wine with pork loin and apple or apricot chutney pork chops pork chops

Apples are a common accompaniment to pork dishes, whether they be used as an ingredient while cooking or served alongside.

So if you are having pork tenderloin with apples, apple sauce or chutney, then a glass of Riesling is the perfect wine pairing. Because the subtle green apple and citrus notes of this white wine will accentuate the apple fruit flavors of the pork dishes.

Furthermore, Riesling has a high level of acidity, which can help to cut through the richness of the pork tenderloin and provide a refreshing contrast to the sweetness of the apples.

Also, for spicy pork dishes or those that have Asian flavor profiles, enjoy a crisp off-dry Riesling with zesty acidity to balance and tame the spiciness in the pork dish. 

5) Barolo (Best with Savory Pork)

One of my favorite wines in the world! Barolo is a full-bodied red wine from the Piedmont region of Italy, known for its high tannins, acidity, and complex flavors of red fruits, roses, and earthy notes. 

And it will be the perfect accompaniment to savory pork dishes, like Rosa di Parma (using pork). These dishes have have been cooked in a style which uses rosemary, garlic, prosciutto, and cheese to create a savory flavor profile. Therefore, the earthiness of both the dish and red wine will accentuate each other’s flavors.

Plus, the high tannins and acidity in Barolo help to cut through the richness of the pork tenderloin and cleanse the palate between bites.

Overall, the combination of Barolo and pork tenderloin creates a harmonious balance of flavors and textures that make for a delicious and satisfying meal.

6) Châteauneuf du Pape (Best with Stuffed Pork Tenderloin)

grilled pork tenderloin dish

One of the my favorite wine pairings with Pork tenderloin is Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Because it’s a full-bodied, robust, complex, earthy, and delicious red wine that pairs amazingly with pork that has been slow roasted, stuffed, and served with savory sauces.

The flavors of the pork help the bold fruit notes of this red wine stand out, while the wine’s earthy notes of pepper, tobacco, and smoke add more complex flavors to the pork dish.

Additionally, the earthy and herbal notes in the red wine can complement the herbs and spices used in the preparation of the pork tenderloin. Overall it’s just a fantastic wine so you can never go wrong!

7) Pinot Gris

Pinot Gris is a dry white wine that has a refreshing taste to it. Typically a fruit-forward wine with aromas of citrus, pear, apples, stone fruits and subtle floral notes.

The crisp acidity and refreshing fruit flavors of Pinot Gris make it an excellent wine pairing for pork tenderloin. Because the wine’s apple and pear notes complement the sweet flavor of the pork, while its acidity helps to cut through the meat’s richness.

Furthermore, Pinot Gris has a relatively low alcohol content, which makes it a suitable option for pairing wine with pork tenderloin. The wine’s light  body does not overpower the delicate flavors of the pork tenderloin, and it can serve as a refreshing palate cleanser between bites.

So for a fresh, invigorating, and palate-cleansing accompaniment to your meal, this wine is the perfect choice.

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