Soup isn’t just a way station between an amuse bouche and the main dish—it can be a feast unto itself.
“Soup is one of those foods that appears simple and humble but has a lot of complexity in aromas, flavors and textures,” says Jordanne Pascual-Cancel, head sommelier of New York City’s Principe. “It’s very similar to wine in that way.”
Long story short: Soup is deserving of a wine pairing treatment to echo and enhance its complexity. But, like any food category, not every wine can match the needs of every soup.
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“In my experience, a soup needs to meet a few specific parameters for a wine pairing to work,” says Alex Ring, wine director for Chicago’s Sepia. “Broth and consommé-based soups are more challenging to pair, as you’re simply mixing liquids with liquids, and most broth-based soups are pretty acid-neutral, too, which can make a wine seem even more acidic,” he says. “Creamy, purée-based soups are easier to pair, as the texture of the soup contrasts that of the wine. Throw in even more textural elements, like something creamy or crunchy, and it opens up even more pairing possibilities.”
This is why we tapped wine pros to show us the way. From classic French onion and wild mushroom to curry-scented pumpkin, spicy noodle and fruit-filled gazpacho, consider this your guide to finding the ideal soup–and-wine pairing.
![How to pair wine and soup infographic](https://www.wineenthusiast.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/02_23_Wine_and_Soup_1080x1350-819x1024.jpg)
The Best Wine for French Onion Soup: Dry Lambrusco
This recipe for French onion soup doubles down on its already complex, sweet and savory tones with a dose of Sherry vinegar and soy sauce, further amplifying its umami character. A unique wine is needed to match its myriad dimensions.
“Several French wines pair beautifully with French onion soup, but personally I would seek out a dry Italian Lambrusco,” says Bernadette James, sommelier of Stages at One Washington in Dover, New Hampshire. “The fruity and earthy flavors will complement the onions, the tannins will cut the richness of the cheese and, as it’s served chilled, the temperature juxtaposition will be very fascinating for your palate.”
Wine Enthusiast recommends:
Lini 910 NV Lambrusca Rosé Sparkling (Lambrusco dell’Emilia)
Aromas of strawberries and cream with freshly cut wild mint and dried rose petal waft from this chic wine. It’s bone-dry on the palate with notes of tart cranberry and sour cherry with an equal proportion of fresh herbs and wild game. Best Buy. 90 Points — Jeff Porter
$ Varies K&L WinesMedici Ermete NV Carezza Metodo Classico Lambrusco di Sorbara (Lambrusco di Sorbara)
Electric pink in color, this 100% Sorbara is lifted with forward aromas of watermelon, sour cherry and a giant bouquet of fresh flowers. It’s tart and lively on the palate with notes of cranberry, raspberry, fresh herbs and a hint of blood orange zest. The wine has a lovely balance between fruit and savory qualities, making each sip its own adventure. 91 Points — J. P.
$ Varies Wine-searcherPodere Giardino 2021 Metodo Ancestrale Malvasia di Candia (Malvasia delle Lipari)
Baked peach, spiced Bosc pear and dried chamomile waft from the glass of this elegant frizzante made from Malvasia di Candia. The palate is bright, showing fresh apple, candied lemon zest, citrus blossom and white tea, finishing with a vibrant show of acidity and blanched almonds. Best Buy. 93 Points — J. P.
$20 Wine ChateauThe Best Wine for Tomato and Red Pepper Soup: Grenache
Cultivated just about anywhere vitis vinifera is grown, Grenache is a versatile red grape whose herbaceous undertones make it an excellent pairing for multiple soups, but is especially apropos when tomato is on the menu.
“Full-bodied yet not overly structured reds that strike a balance of fruit and herb aromas, like Grenache, complement the savoriness of the tomato and red pepper, but also bring out the nuanced flavors of the Thai basil and thyme,” says Pascual-Cancel, of this particularly flavorful recipe.
Wine Enthusiast recommends:
Gamine 2022 Equus Vineyard Grenache (Columbia Valley (WA))
Raspberries and fried plantains are a heck of a nice aromatic combination, especially when joined by bits of saline and cumin. This wine’s brilliant acidity will liven you right up, just in time to enjoy flavors like dark plums and a cup of jasmine tea with a slice of lemon. Editor’s Choice. 93 Points — Michael Alberty
$ Varies Patron SaintThe Language of Yes 2020 En Passerillage Grenache (Santa Maria Valley)
Crisp aromas of strawberry, pomegranate, rose petals and sumac are sharp and focused on the nose of this bottling from Randall Grahm, who slightly dried these grapes post-harvest. Sour cherry and alpine strawberry flavors rise on the sip, with fresh flowers and a light hint of dried meat also showing. 93 Points — Matt Kettmann
$40 Plum MarketNSO By Dusty Nabor 2021 Grenache (Sta. Rita Hills)
This label by Dusty Nabor is almost always a solid buy on the quality-for-price ratio. This bottling begins with cherry, rose extract, wild mint and earthy chaparral aromas on the nose. The palate’s chalky tannins reveal tightly wound strawberry, pepper and toasted herb flavors that show a touch more warmth on the finish. Best Buy. 93 Points— M. K.
$20 VinoshipperThe Best Wine for Raw Corn Soup with Manchego: Chablis
Mark Bowman, sommelier at Hilton Head Island’s Sea Pines Resort recommends Chablis to pair with a cold soup that emphasizes the essence of raw corn.
“Corn has a natural, creamy sweetness, and Chardonnay, as a thicker-skinned grape, tends to have at least a touch of that creaminess,” he says. “The key here is that an unoaked Chardonnay such as Chablis will still maintain some of its natural acidity, which is vital to enliven the verve of a raw corn soup.”
Wine Enthusiast recommends:
Domaine Vincent Dampt 2020 Chablis
This multifaceted wine is quite enjoyable, with layers of fresh citrus, green pear and melon skin, then moves toward savory notes of white button mushrooms, English pea and dry thyme. While round in body, it is bright and graceful on the palate. 93 Points — Anna-Christina Cabrales
$25 Wine ChateauGabrielle 2021 Chablis
An abundance of wild flowers embrace aromas of fresh lemon, lime and lemongrass. The palate is round with freshly cut pears, citrus peel, ginger spice, wet stones and salt. Focused and layered, this wine should pair well with fresh prawns and lobster. 91 Points — A. C.
$29 Total Wine & SpiritsAlbert Bichot 2021 Chablis
Intense on the nose, this wine exudes intense overripe citrus notes completed by crushed seashells. On the palate its crisp acidity reinvigorates and should appeal to those who relish a mineral-driven experience. Enjoy as an aperitif. 92 Points — A. C.
$ Varies B 21The Best Wine for Curried Pumpkin Soup: Sparkling Chenin Blanc
A richly textured soup with warm spices calls for something similarly textured and toasty.
“I like pairing sparkling Chenin Blanc with this,” says Ring. “The toasty, spicy notes pair well with the mellow curry, and Chenin Blanc also tends to have a honeyed character, which I think is right at home with winter flavors like pumpkin,” he says. “The bright acidity of the wine cuts through the richness of the cream and texture of the purée, and the bubbles add even more textural interest.”
Wine Enthusiast recommends:
Vino Volta 2021 Methode Ancestrale Chenin Blanc (Swan Valley)
Like cloudy apple juice in appearance, this pét-nat, from the historic Swan Valley region of Western Australia, offers gentle pithy orange and lemon aromas combined with wild herbs, flowers and minerals. The palate, although also quiet on the flavor front, is bone dry and pithy, with a texture and acidity combo that makes it a refreshing, rustic, drop well-chilled on a warm day. 90 Points — Christina Pickard
$ Varies Vino VoltaThe Best Wine for Spicy Noodle Soup: Grüner Veltliner
Often called upon to pair with vegetables due its unique, white pepper character, Austria’s zippy Grüner Veltliner can also uphold complex elements such as miso and gochujang.
Second to a pour of Korean soju, “I think Grüner Veltliner pairs really well with Asian spices, especially gochujang,” says Steve Kim, sommelier at The Bazaar by José Andrés. “Bright, fruity Grüner has a way of contrasting the spiciness and easing it down, and its acidity can brighten up the soup more, too.”
Wine Enthusiast recommends:
Reustle 2022 Green Lizard Grüner Veltliner (Umpqua Valley)
This is typically one of the better American examples of Grüner Veltliner, and the 2022 vintage is no exception. The Green Lizard’s pear, mandarin orange and earthy daylily aromas combine to create an amaro-like sensation. Flavors include more mandarin oranges, green tea and a burst of white pepper. Editor’s Choice. 93 Points — M. A.
$38 Great Northwest WineJurtschitsch 2020 Ried Loiserberg Erste Lage Grüner Veltliner (Kamptal)
There is a nice reductive character at the beginning here, with white raspberry peakingthrough, followed by a wave of flavors, including peach, cardamom, coriander and even uni. It is a very interesting expression of the grape, as it seems the origin is more important than variety here. It can be enjoyed now, but it will only get better with a few years of aging. 93 Points — Aleks Zecevic
$38 Flatiron Wine & SpiritsHirsch 2020 Ried Lamm Erste Lage Grüner Veltliner (Kamptal)
This elegant white has an intense minerality that is joined by a vibrant acidity, together creating firm structure. There’s a fine balance with notes of hominy, lemon oil, spice and hints of sage which all decorate the velvety texture. The finish is long and precise, echoing the savory profile. 93 Points — A. Z.
$ Varies Wine.comThe Best Wine for Wild Mushroom Soup: White Burgundy
Earthy and savory, yes, but given the en croute treatment here, this wild mushroom soup also boasts an added layer of buttery decadence.
Sadie Farrington, sommelier at The National in Telluride, Colorado, therefore recommends a well-known friend to butter: white Burgundy. “The wine adds some nice acid to the dish while also supporting the buttery texture of the soup,” she says.
Wine Enthusiast recommends:
Chartron et Trébuchet 2021 Chardonnay (Bourgogne)
The wine presents with a spray of wet grass and fruit, with white mushroom, white lilies, and white stones enveloping the nose with a beautiful waft of light florality. A palate of under ripe citrus and pith is accompanied by an elegant tone of vanilla that lingers on the finish. 92 Points — A. C.
$ Varies Saratoga WineFrancois Labet 2019 Chardonnay (Bourgogne)
Aromas of ripe apples, crisp pears and white flowers meet a midpalate marked by pithiness and salinity, with the gentlest wash of acidity. The flavors remain persistent on the palate, making this wine a perfect pairing for delicate soft cheese such as brie. 92 Points — A. C.
$ Varies Wine.comThe Best Wine for Lentil, Carrot and Kale Stew: Sangiovese
Cumin, turmeric and paprika add a serious dimension to this already hearty, slightly smoky lentil soup.
Sean Olnowich, culinary director for New York’s Ketchy Shuby, recommends Sangiovese, a medium-bodied red whose character can often also be described as hearty and smoky. Additionally, “the fruit-forward notes and acidity of Sangiovese both contrast and complement the depth and earthiness of the soup,” he says.
Wine Enthusiast recommends:
Trerose 2020 Salterio Sangiovese (Rosso di Montepulciano)
An earthy, very herbaceous nose has sweeter notes of candied red apple and cherries providing pop. Cherries thrive on the palate above continued herbs, while blood orange emphasizes the cherry sweetness and also adds a tannic bite. 90 Points — Danielle Callegari
$ Varies Saratoga WineSan Felice 2021 Sangiovese (Chianti Classico)
Cranberries, strawberries and orange peel with fennel and sage and a mineral edge of just crushed rock are on the nose and then are repeated on the palate, where they come together in an elegant balance against firm but polished tannins and vibrant acidity. 92 Points— D. C.
$ Varies The Wine BuyerThe Best Wine for Papaya Gazpacho: Côtes de Gascogne
A white wine-dominant region in southwest France, Côtes de Gascogne produces fruit-forward wines that are perfect for this bright, fruit-forward soup.
Jade Palmer, wine manager at Krog Street Market’s Hop City Craft Beer and Wine in Atlanta, suggests that a Côtes de Gascogne blend of Gros Manseng and Colombard more than meets this gazpacho variation halfway: “It has really juicy stone fruit leaning into that tropical fruit,” she says, “and you still get a little bit of lively acidity with it, too.”
Wine Enthusiast recommends:
François Lurton 2022 Domaine les Fumées Blanches Sauvignon Blanc (Côtes de Gascogne)
Aged in concrete eggs, the wine is bright and fruity with hints of tropical fruits as well as fresh citrus acidity. It is a fine wine, its fruit balanced with a ripe texture. Drink from 2024. Editor’s Choice. 90 Points — Roger Voss
$ Varies Mr. D Wine MerchantPublished: February 21, 2024