What wine to choose for Italian, French, and Asian food 

The right wine can transform any meal into a complete gastronomic experience. Although each cuisine has very different ingredients and flavors, Spanish wines offer a wide variety of styles that can perfectly complement Italian, French, or Asian dishes.
In this guide, you will discover which wines to choose for each type of cuisine and how to make the right choice for every occasion.

What wine to choose for Italian food 

Italian cuisine is known for its fresh ingredients: tomatoes, cheese, pasta, and olive oil. Depending on the dish, we can choose different wines.

Pasta with tomato sauce
Tomato sauces have a slight acidity that pairs very well with young red wines.

The best options are:
• Young Tempranillo
• Garnacha
• Light Rioja Crianza

Pasta with cream or cheese 

Creamy sauces need wines with good freshness.

Recommended:
• Verdejo
• Godello
• Lightly aged Chardonnay

Pizza 

Pizza allows for many combinations, although it usually works best with fruity red wines.

The most recommended:
• Rioja Crianza
• Young Ribera del Duero
• Garnacha

Risottos 

If the risotto is mushroom or truffle:
• Rioja Crianza
• Mencía
If it's seafood:
• Albariño
• Godello

Which wine to choose for French food 

French cuisine is one of the most refined in the world and offers a huge variety of dishes.
Meats in sauce h3
Dishes like Boeuf Bourguignon need structured wines.

The best choices:
• Ribera del Duero Crianza
• D.O. Toro
• Rioja Reserva

Duck 

Duck pairs especially well with elegant wines. Recommended:
• Rioja Reserva
• Garnacha from old vines

French Cheeses 

There isn't one single wine that goes with all cheeses.

Some combinations:
• Brie → Chardonnay
• Camembert → Barrel-fermented Verdejo
• Roquefort → Sweet wine or Pedro Ximénez

Seafood 

For oysters, mussels, or scallops:
• Albariño
• Verdejo
• Godello

Which wine to choose for Asian food 

Asian cuisine often combines sweet, spicy, salty, and acidic flavors, so it needs wines with good acidity and intense aromas.

Sushi 

Sushi is one of the most well-known pairings.

The best Spanish wines:
• Albariño
• Verdejo
• Godello

Japanese cuisine 

Tempura, ramen, or grilled fish pair perfectly with:
• Verdejo
• Albariño
• Brut sparkling wines

Chinese cuisine 

For dishes with sweet and sour sauce:
• Rosé
• Young Garnacha
• Verdejo
For Peking duck:
• Rioja Crianza
• Mencía

Thai cuisine 

Spicy dishes require fresh wines. Highly recommended:
• Albariño
• Dry Muscat
• Verdejo

Indian cuisine 

Intense curries work especially well with aromatic wines.

You can choose:
• Gewürztraminer (if available)
• Verdejo
• Fruity Rosé

Tips for pairing with any international cuisine
Although there are general rules, there are some principles that almost always work:
• Spicy dishes benefit from fresh and aromatic wines.

• Creamy sauces need wines with good acidity.

• Robust meats require full-bodied reds.

• Fish and seafood pair best with crisp whites.

• Tomato-based dishes work very well with young and fruity reds.

When in doubt, a Verdejo, an Albariño, or a Rioja Crianza are usually safe bets thanks to their versatility.

Discover the best Spanish wines for every cuisine

At Iberowine, you'll find a wide selection of Spanish wines ideal for pairing with Italian, French, Asian, and many other international cuisines.

From crisp whites like Albariño, Verdejo, and Godello, to reds from Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Toro, we have options for every occasion and every palate.

Explore our collection and enjoy the perfect pairing with the quality and tradition of Spain's finest wines.

Articulo desarrollado por iberoWine