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Ham is still the highest indexing holiday meat and is also a popular everyday meal, with 55 percent of consumers claiming to consume it outside of the holiday season.
So what kind of wine should you serve with it?
Whether you like red wines or white wines, crisp or dry, our wine connoisseurs hand-selected the very best wine and ham pairings from around the world.
Therefore, if you plan to serve wine with ham, here are a few worth checking out.
Chateau Ste Michelle 17 Riesling
The Chateau Ste. Michelle 17 Riesling has a light body to compliment a glazed ham and also pairs nicely with a cured ham. Made in Washington's Columbia Valley, this medium-dry Riesling offers a crisp aroma of apples and other festive flavors and is a fun drink to share with others. It's perfect for those that want a versatile light-bodied white wine for the holiday dinner table.
The versatility of this Chateau Ste. Michelle also makes it an excellent gift if you are attending a dinner as it is agreeable with most entrees.
Dr. Konstantin Frank 19 Dry Riesling
This dry Riesling is an excellent complement to any sweet or glazed hams as it will bring out a sweet and salty combination. It also pairs well with smoked hams as it offers a similar contrast.
From the holiday flavors of granny smith apples to a tasteful lime zest, this dry Riesling harmonizes eloquently with the fresh citrus taste of the Seneca vineyards.
It has a rich body and a hint of creaminess that makes it a perfect addition to your holiday feast.
Rombauer 19 Chardonnay
The Rombauer 19 Chardonnay is a great choice if you plan to serve a smoked or baked ham. It offers aromas of honeydew, and lemon rind as well as a hint of holiday flavors like vanilla and spice. As it builds towards the finish, you’ll experience strong flavors of peach and spice that delight and surprise the drinker. This is also a great wine to pair with a variety of popular side dishes including asparagus, buttered mashed potatoes, and more.
Made in Napa Valley California at the Rombauer Vineyards, this European-inspired wine is sure to be a hit at your next dinner.
Angels Landing 16 Napa Chardonnay
If you enjoy white wines, this Chardonnay is the best wine to serve with either a smoked or baked ham. The crisp apple taste will pair magnificently with the glaze of both hams and will leave you with a nice supple finish.
It has the perfect balance of oaky texture from smoked almonds and a hint of creaminess, making it a well-balanced medium-bodied drink to pair with any holiday ham. It also has several notes of fruity flavors, such as pear and apricot, and even a hint of citrus.
Santa Francesca 18 Pinot Grigio
The Santa Francesca 18 Pinot Grigio is a great entry-level wine to pair with pork products. It has subtle notes of pear and a crisp flavor that will delight your guests.
The acidity and lighter body make it an excellent choice for delicate tenderloins and will marry well with an Easter or Christmas ham.
This wine was made in the Italian province, Alto Adige, which is known as one of the best growing areas for Pinot Grigio wines in the world.
Deloach 18 Heritage Reserve Pinot Noir
The Deloach 18 Heritage Reserve Pinot Noir is another light-bodied wine that pairs well with less salty hams such as a savory and smoky ham. Therefore this Pinot Noir blends magically with a medium-bodied red wine that is less acidic.
This elegant wine has notes of cherry and strawberry flavors and a subtle hint of woodland spices and even brown sugar. It has a smooth texture and earthy tones that lead to a medium finish pairing perfectly with lighter appetizers alongside your ham.
This Pinot Noir is from the Deloach Vineyards of Santa Rosa, California, and is one of their most highly rated wines.
La Crema 18 Monterey Pinot Noir
If you prefer a wine with cherry, raspberry, cranberry, and other holiday aromas, the La Crema 18 Monterey Pinot Noir is perfect. This wine features notes of barrel spice, and its juicy acidity will blend will with a savory and smoky ham.
This wine has a rich texture and is luxuriously complex yet balanced to offer the perfect touch to your holiday feast. This is the ultimate red wine to pair with ham, and it will delight beginners and wine connoisseurs alike.
Fly By 18 Zinfandel
If you select a sweet ham with a salty finish, pair it with a bold and crisp white wine. The Zinfandel is ideal as it's one of the highest-scoring wines for boldness with strong notes of black fruit, including blackberry, blueberry, black plum cassis, and more.
While not as strong as some Zinfandel wines, this wine has a higher alcohol concentration than many other wines on this list and is best for those who want a stronger taste.
It also pairs well with common holiday side dishes, including spiced apple and cranberry, so be sure to try it with a variety of dishes.
Saxon Brown 14 Fighting Bros Zinfandel
The Saxon Brown 14 Righting Bros is another Zinfandel wine that offers a unique blend of black fruits for a rich flavor accented with various tasteful spices. It's a much heavier wine than the others on this list, though the tannins add an astringent taste that brings life to this full-bodied wine.
This is a great wine to pair with ham as the bold flavors contrast the sweetness of ham and create a mouthwatering sensation that you won't want to miss.
Beaumatin 19 Rose Terres Du Midi
For hams that are juicier and contain less sodium, consider a light red wine like a Rose. This is also a good option if you have dry-cured ham as the dryness will blend well with a Rose wine's fruity citrus blend.
While it's one of the lighter wines, it has plenty of body to leave you with a fruity taste.
Closing Thoughts
Whether you’re a beginner or a connoisseur, these wines are sure to delight you and are all affordable. These wines can be used for Christmas dinner, Easter dinner, a New Year's feast, or any other occasion. Try out a few and let us know which wine and ham matches were your favorite.
