Wine with breakfast might sound crazy, but it’s basically the same as brunch, right? And after all, the mimosa is a classic brunch cocktail and it’s made with Prosecco (aka wine). Plus, breakfast dishes shouldn’t be limited to the morning, they can be enjoyed any time of the day. So, why not pair your favorite breakfast or brunch dish with a glass of wine.
First, we’ll cover some wine and food pairing basics and then we’ll dive into what wine to pair with classic brunch dishes.
How to pair food and wine
There are a couple of standard guidelines when it comes to pairing food and wine. Generally, the flavors in your wine should not overpower your food. If one is stronger than the other, the flavors will fall flat.
When it comes to sweet dishes, your wine should be the same sweetness or sweeter. Otherwise, your wine will taste bitter and less fruity.
Another classic pairing is acid and fat. Wines that are high in acidity help to cleanse your palate after a bite of something rich like cheese, bacon, and eggs.
One last thing to keep in mind is the flavors and aromas of your wine in relation to the food. If your wine has notes of herbs, it will complement dishes that also feature fresh herbs. A fruit-forward wine will act the same way with a dish featuring berries and fruit.
So, what kind of wine goes with breakfast?
Now back to the pairings you’ve been searching for. Brunch menus feature a wide variety of flavors, so there is not one wine that is going to fit every dish. Instead, we’ve highlighted some classic brunch staples and a wine or two to pair them with.
Bacon, Ham, & Sausage + Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
For dishes that include bacon, ham, or sausage, Pinot Noir is the perfect red wine for breakfast. This gentle red is light-bodied enough for an early meal, so you can serve it pre-and post-noon. Plus, its acidity, earthy, and fruity notes provide the perfect contrast to the salt and fat in the meat.
Another option is an oaked Chardonnay. Bacon, ham, and sausage call for a crisp, light beverage to pair with their salty, smoky, and fatty flavors. The oaky notes in the Chardonnay will cut through and balance out the smokiness. Surprise your friends with this delicious duo at your next brunch get-together!
Bacon, Ham & Sausage Pairings
Eggs Benedict + Prosecco
Did someone say breakfast and bubbly? A little sparkle goes a long way and immediately turns any basic breakfast food up a notch. Sparkling wines like Prosecco typically offer tart acidity and slight sweetness. This combination helps to cleanse the palate when paired with rich dishes like eggs benedict featuring Canadian bacon, poached eggs, and creamy hollandaise sauce.
Best Prosecco for Brunch Foods
Smoked Salmon + Sauvignon Blanc
Smoked salmon is the ultimate brunch bestie and quite the breakfast combination. Often served with bagels, cream cheese, red onions, and capers, the secret behind pairing this dish is finding a wine with enough acidity to complement the super salty and smoky fish flavors, while also being delicate enough not to overpower them. Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect wine. Its crisp, refreshing taste and high acidity enhance the flavor of the smoked salmon, much like a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Pair these with Smoked Salmon
Quiche & Omelets + Beaujolais & Chardonnay
Eggs don’t always have the best relationship with wine, but when it comes to pairing wine with eggs these two French wines have quite a spark.
Our first pick is Beaujolais. With abundant fruit flavors and refreshing acidity, this light red wine will pair particularly well with cheesy quiches and omelets. A lighter-bodied red wine like Beaujolais does a great job of keeping the palate refreshed and is delicious with quiches and omelets that contain mushrooms or ham.
Another option is Chardonnay. Go for an unoaked Chardonnay, such as one from Chablis. The crisp acidity and fresh apple and citrus flavors will cleanse your palate after a bite of a rich quiche or omelet.
Best Wine for Quiche & Omelets
Pancakes & French Toast + Riesling & Moscato d’Asti
When it comes to pairing sweet meals like pancakes and French toast, rule number one is to always choose a wine that’s as sweet as or sweeter than the dish you’re serving. This is because sweet dishes easily make dry wines taste bitter — and who wants that?
Off-dry to sweet Rieslings are a great option. Fresh pear, peach, and apricot fruit along with lots of acidity balance the sweetness of the maple syrup or any fruit topping.
Another great option is Moscato d’Asti — light effervescence and a sweet palate of peach and apricot with floral aromas. Swap this sparkler out for your usual brunch Mimosa. You won’t be disappointed.
Pancake & French Toast Pairings
Chicken & Waffles + Champagne
While Champagne might seem a little too luxurious for this southern homestyle dish, it’s the complete opposite. The slightly sweet waffles call for a wine that is crisp and high in acid — and Champagne is just that. Champagne also tends to have bready, toasty notes from resting on the lees (dead yeast) during fermentation, which complements the flavor of the waffles. And we can’t forget about the bubbles. The effervescence helps to cleanse your palate after each bite of the crunchy fried chicken.
We hope you feel a little more confident the next time you host a brunch or go out to breakfast and order a glass of wine. Looking for more food and wine pairings? Check out our food pairing articles for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
