Pairing Wine With Spam

Spam. The pink, salty, fatty, pressed meat in a can. For those uninitiated, Spam is a ham product produced by Hormel and introduced in 1937. It became popular world-wide during World War II, as it was easily shipped and could be stored for long periods of time. Today, it is available in 43 countries and is even a staple ingredient in places like Hawaii, the Philippines, and Korea.

While wine may not be the first beverage that comes to mind when eating spam, it should not be overlooked. Wine is an excellent option to elevate any meal and Spam is no exception. The key is choosing wines that will balance the rich salt of the meat, so whether you prefer red or white, think fruity and dry.

Best Red Wine With Spam

The best red wines for Spam will have bold fruit and low tannins.

Grenache: Bold, jammy fruit, medium body and moderate acidity.
Pinot Noir: Dry with notes of cherry, raspberry and mushroom.

Beaujolais: Light and fruity with good acidity.
Lambrusco: Strong berry flavor with bubbles.

Best White Wine With Spam

If you prefer white wines, choose something dry, crisp, and fruity.

Chablis: Dry and light with citrus, pear and minerality.
Albariño: Dry, with high acidity, and citrus zest and floral aromatics.
Champagne: Bubbly, floral, and fruity with notes of citrus, peach, or cherry.

Chenin Blanc: dry, with high acidity and notes of yellow apple and pear.

Pairing Wine With Different Spam Dishes

Spam Fried Rice Wine Pairing

This dish is going to be high in salt, so a crisp, refreshing white is the perfect choice to cleanse the palate. Try an Albariño or Chablis.

Spam & Eggs Wine Pairing

A bright, acidic Sauvignong Blanc is a great pairing, but Champagne is also excellent. Brunch anyone?

Spam Burger Wine Pairing

Grenache or Lambrusco, with their fruit forward profiles, will complement the meaty, salty heft of a spam burger.

Loco Moco Spam Wine Pairing

This classic Hawaian dish consists of Spam, eggs, rice, mushrooms, and brown gravy. A Beaujolais or Pinot Noir will complement the gravy and balance the salty Spam.

Spam Kelaguen Wine Pairing

The peppers and cilantro in this dish is going to call for a white wine. A dry Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc will make for a lovely pairing and cool the palate.

Spam Grilled Cheese Wine Pairing

This delicious, cheesy sandwich is begging for a crisp white to balance the rich fattiness of the Spam and cheese. Try a Chenin Blanc or Albariño.

Pairing Wine With Different Types of Spam

Spam comes in a variety of flavors, so that is something you may want to consider as well.

Jalepeño or Hot & Spicy Spam Wine Pairing

These varieties of Spam come with a kick, so an Albariño or Sauvignon Blanc are recommended, but any white with good acidity will be a good choice.

Tocino or Bacon Spam Wine Pairing

Beaujolais, Rosé, or Chenin Blanc will all complement these bacon-flavored varieties, just take the preparation into consideration.

Teriyaki Spam Wine Pairing

The teriyaki flavor lends itself to a red wine pairing, so Pinot Noir or Beaujolais will both complement the Spam well.

Hickory Smoke Spam Wine Pairing

You can really go bold with your wine pairing here and choose a Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has enough body to hold up to the strong smokey flavor of the Spam.