Pairing Wine With Pork Tenderloin

Pork Tenderloin is an elegant, lean, thin cut of meat which can be cooked in many different ways and it makes a great main course with a nice juicy texture.

In this article we will touch on a couple of methods of preparation for pork tenderloin and the wines you should have with it. For a general overview, white wines with a fuller body and juicier texture work perfectly with pork, however even a red wine with a lighter body will complement the dish

Wine Characteristics To Pair With Pork Tenderloin

Characteristic	Detail
Sweetness	Dry
Acidity	Medium
Tannins	Low to Medium
Body	Medium to Full Bodied White, Light to Medium Reds
Tasting Notes	White Wine Notes – Green fruit, stone fruit, citrus Red Wine Notes – Red fruit, herbs

Sweetness – Pork Tenderloin just calls for a dry wine and we would advise avoiding sweeter styles.

Acidity – Medium acidity is just the right level that is needed for this dish as it will cut through the fat but won’t be too much.

Tannins – Low to medium tannins in our red selection will be just perfect, it will help with the protein and texture of the dish.

Body – Medium to full bodied white wines will complement the dish and the texture of the meat. As for the red wines, stick to light to medium red wines.

Tasting Notes – Green fruit, stone fruit, citrus fruit aromas with hints of oak and creaminess for the white selection. For our reds, red fruit with a bit of black fruit aromas, herbs and just the right amount of smoke from oak aging.

Best Red Wine To Drink With Pork Tenderloin

Being a very versatile cut, pork tenderloin will work with red wines as well, obviously depending on the preparation method and the marinade used. However getting a red with a full body might be just too much and it very well may overpower the lean pork tenderloin.

We recommend sticking to light to medium bodied red wines, with medium acidity, low to medium tannin level and a bit of fruit forward style.

Sangiovese from Italy

Sangiovese is a grape variety that originated in Italy and it is most grown in the region of Tuscany. It is the principal grape variety for Chianti Classico and these wines tend to be medium bodied, with medium tannins and a good acidity. Red fruit flavors with lots of herbal influence and a touch of old oak.
If you want a fuller bodied expression go for a Brunello di Montalcino which is made from a clone of Sangiovese.

Pinot Noir from the USA

Slightly lighter bodied than Sangiovese, Pinot Noir from the USA tends to have a touch more tannins than in Europe. The wines are medium bodied, with medium acidity, medium tannins and a lot of flavor, being more fruit forward as well.

Cabernet Franc from France

One of the parent grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon it is a bit less tannic and lighter in body, with an almost artistic nature. We advise getting a Cab Franc from the Loire Valley and if possible getting your hands on one from Chinon or Bourgueil.
Core red fruit and herbal, almost vegetal expression make these wines a right choice for lighter meats like pork.

Best White Wine To Drink With Pork Tenderloin

White wine is a more obvious choice when it comes to pork as it is a lean meat and it doesn’t always need a heavy wine with loads of tannins.

As pork is quite versatile there are a lot of options for pairing when it comes to white wines but we would suggest sticking to medium to full bodied whites, with medium acidity and a nice creamy texture coming from oak aging.

Chardonnay from France

A complex expression of Chardonnay, from the region of Burgundy it has just the right flavors and aromas. Lots of stone fruit, green fruit and aromas from barrel fermentation and oak aging. They have a creamy texture, a zingy acidity that cuts through the pork and complements the dish.

If you would like to explore a bit, try New Zealand or Australian Chardonnay from Margaret river.

Chenin Blanc from South Africa

Chenin Blanc is originally from the Loire Valley in France but it has been planted in South Africa for almost four centuries. The South African wines are more fruit forward and expressive but they have a great texture and creaminess from oak. No doubt they will make your dining experience sophisticated.

Assyrtiko from Greece

Assyrtiko is a grape variety grown mostly on the island of Santorini and it produces amazing wines. It has a great acidity level with an expressive nose, but when aged in oak it reminds a lot of a premier cru Chablis. This wine is a great choice for lighter pork dishes and it will give you an experience of a premier cru Chablis without breaking the bank.

Pairing Wine With Pork Tenderloin Prepared Different Ways

Wine With Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin

Teriyaki sauce is made by mixing soy sauce, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes and many more ingredients. The ginger and garlic give off a bit of heat, therefore we would need a wine lower in alcohol but enough body to go head to head with the soy.
Our recommendation is Pinot Noir from the USA.

Wine With Pork Tenderloin With Apples

The pork tenderloin with apples is sometimes made with a bit of dijon mustard and since it has lots of apples, we recommend going for a white wine with a bit of spiciness.
Chardonnay from Burgundy is an amazing choice since it has a bit of green apple flavors but lots of spices from oak aging.

Wine With Smoked Pork Tenderloin

There are two wines that stand out that we think are great with smoked pork tenderloin. Riesling for a white wine because it can sometimes have a hint of smoke in the wine. And the same can be said for Côtes du Rhône, which also tends to have smoky notes.

Wine With Porchetta

This classic Italian recipe is a slow roasted pork dish. It is fatty and savory, which calls for a wine with a good acidity level and good tannins as well. What better choice than an Italian Chianti Classico, predominantly made from Sangiovese.

Best Wine To Drink With Pork Tenderloin

The list below contains options for wine pairings for most of the ways of preparing pork tenderloin. With good acidity, sufficient tannins, medium body and lots of flavor these wines will give you a memorable experience.