Much like wine, pâtés are filled with intricate flavors— and when paired, the full flavors of both truly come alive.
Overall, the acidity and refreshing nature of white wines are fabulous with most creamy, mousse style pâtés and vegetable pâtés, while the deep, satisfying flavors of red wines are a tasty companion to the heartier mousse and the traditional country style pâtés. That said, some pâté and wine combinations are more delicious than others.
Here, we lay out 5 of our favorite wine and pâté pairings.
Truffle Mousse can be enjoyed with red or white wines. This lighter bodied mousse calls for lighter bodied red wines, like a Pinot Noir or a Beaujolais. White wines are also a great companion and bring out the best of the truffle flavor and creamy texture. Try this pâté with a lighter bodied, unoaked Chardonnay or a glass of Champagne.
When it comes to Duck Liver Mousse with Cognac, we suggest pairing it with a classic Cabernet or a Port Winter. The sweetness of the Port plays well off of the pâté’s special blend of spices.
Garnished with fresh orange slices, Grand Marnier Pâté features pork, duck, and chicken liver with orange liqueur. Try this pâté with a Rosé wine. Rosé wines are medium bodied and many have the refreshing feel of white wine with a somewhat deep flavor more typical of a red.
OurForest Mushroom Pâté features the deep and earthy flavors of… well, mushrooms. To many wine enthusiasts, mushrooms should be thought of as red meat in terms of wine pairings. Pinot noir or Cabernet are perfect choices for these pâtés, or try a fuller bodied wine like Zinfandel.
Serve Tomato Basil Pâté or our Mushroom Artichoke with a dry Sauvignon Blanc. Sauvignon Blancis zesty and acidic, making it a great complement to foods that feature tomatoes or artichokes.
