We talk about red and white wines to pair with your holiday meal and give you recipes for honey-glazed ham and a Bourbon–brown sugar glaze.
Few big holiday meats are as easy and versatile as a big, smokey, salty glazed ham. A ham is easy to change to fit your tastes and the drinks you want to go with it because it makes a lot of servings and is good for freezing. There is no denying how tasty and addicting the meat is, but the glaze adds something extra.
Few dishes are more classic than a beautifully glazed baked ham served during the holidays or at a special dinner party. But when it comes to choosing the wine, the sweet and salty flavors of ham can be tricky to match.
As an avid home cook and wine enthusiast, I’ve tasted my way through many bottles to find the best wines that complement the unique taste of ham. Whether your ham is honey baked hardwood smoked or cured there are wonderful wine options that bring out ham’s absolute best flavors. Keep reading for my top recommendations on ideal wine pairings!
Why Ham and Wine Pair So Well
There are a few reasons why ham is fantastic when enjoyed with wine:
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Ham’s rich intense umami flavor stands up well to wines with lots of body and flavor.
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The saltiness of ham makes acidic, bright wines taste even crisper and more refreshing.
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Sweet glazes and fruit-accented wines play off each other beautifully.
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Firm tannins in reds soften and complement ham’s texture.
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Aromatic whites highlight the smoky aromas of cured ham varieties.
Pairing the right wine with your ham can take it from great to extraordinary. Use the vivid tastes in wine to either contrast or enhance ham’s most prominent flavors.
Best White Wines to Pair with Ham
White wines offer bright acidity to cut through ham’s richness. Here are top white wine picks:
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Dry Riesling: The high acidity of Riesling contrasts salty ham perfectly. Goes great with smoked ham.
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Sauvignon Blanc: Grassy and citrusy SB has crisp acidity to balance sweet glazes.
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Pinot Grigio: Light and minerally PG has subtle fruit flavors that complement ham.
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Moscato: Sweet Moscato enhances the fruitiness of glazed hams beautifully.
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Gewürztraminer: Intensely aromatic Gewürz wines work well with bold cured hams like prosciutto.
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Sparkling wines: Acidic bubbles cut through ham’s fattiness. Try Prosecco or Cava.
Best Red Wines to Pair with Ham
For those who like red wine with their ham, these are excellent options:
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Pinot Noir: Earthy, medium-bodied Pinot Noir is an ideal match for baked ham.
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Beaujolais: Fragrant, low-tannin Gamay is perfect with deli-style hams.
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Red Zinfandel: Jammy, fruit-forward Zins complement sweet glazed hams nicely.
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Rosé: Dry rosés have just enough fruitiness and acidity to flatter ham’s flavors.
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Chianti Classico: The mild tannins and cherry notes of this Italian red work beautifully with cured ham like prosciutto.
Tips for Picking Wines for Your Specific Ham
With so many types of ham out there, use these tips to narrow wine choices:
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Smoked ham: Pair with acidic whites like Sauvignon Blanc to cut through smoky flavors.
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Pineapple glazed ham: A juicy Viognier or sweet Riesling matches the fruit flavors.
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Honey baked ham: Opt for a touch of sweetness with Riesling or Moscato.
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Country ham: Choose a light-bodied red like Pinot Noir or old world style Chianti.
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Prosciutto: Highly aromatic Gewürztraminer or herbal Chianti Classico complement the intensity.
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Black Forest ham: The boldness calls for a richer white like Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon.
Expert Tips for Serving Ham with Wine
Follow these simple guidelines when planning your meal:
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If possible, buy both ham and wine at least 2-3 days before serving to allow flavors to develop.
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Chill white wines and lighter reds like Pinot Noir before serving. Heavier reds can be served at room temp.
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Set out the wine before cooking the ham so it has time to breathe.
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Carve the ham and arrange it on a serving platter, then pour the wine.
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Opt for more delicate wines early in the meal when ham flavors are bold, then move to heavier wines later on.
How to Make Bourbon-Glazed Ham
Ingredients
- 1 whole cooked ham (about 15 pounds)
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup Bourbon (can be replaced with cider vinegar)
- If you want, you can add 1/4 cup of whole cloves or more depending on the size of the ham.
Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 300° F. When you want to score the ham, use a sharp knife to make lines across the top that are about 1/4 inch deep and 1.5 inches apart. Create a diagonal pattern by repeating the process while cutting in the opposite direction. Stud the ham evenly with whole cloves, if using.
2. In a roasting pan, cover the ham with aluminum foil all the way around. Bake in the oven for three hours. The ham should reach an internal temperature of 140° F.
3. While the ham cooks, whisk together the brown sugar, mustard and Bourbon (or vinegar). Before the ham is done cooking, take off the foil and brush it with half of the glaze. Raise the oven temperature to 450° F and put the ham back in the oven without the glaze on for about 10 minutes. Apply a second coating and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the glaze caramelizes nicely. Remove from the oven, carve and serve.
How to Make Honey-Glazed Ham
Ingredients
- Fully cooked uncured 1/4 ham (4 pounds)
- 1 cup cider vinegar
- 1/4 coarse-ground mustard
- 1/2 cup honey
- Dash of cayenne
- Dash of pepper
- Extra: 1/8 of a cup of whole cloves, or as many as you need for the size of the ham
Preparation
1. If you need to, move the oven racks around so that the ham can fit on the lower shelf. Warm the oven up to 325° F and put a thin layer of water on the bottom of a roasting pan to keep the meat moist while it cooks.
2. As the oven heats up, use a whisk to thoroughly mix the cider vinegar, brown sugar, mustard, honey, and spices, making sure the honey doesn’t settle to the bottom of the bowl. This will make a thin, sticky glaze. To score the ham, cut across the top in lines that are about 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart with a sharp knife. Create a diagonal pattern by repeating the process while cutting in the opposite direction. Stud the ham evenly with whole cloves, if using.
3. Lay the ham on a plate with the cut side down. Spread the glaze all over the outside, making sure some gets into the cuts. Put the ham on a roasting pan cut side down and cook for 60 to 80 minutes, taking it out every 20 minutes to add more glaze. 15 to 20 minutes in the oven per pound is a good rule of thumb. If the ham has bones in it, cook it longer. ) If you’re using a meat thermometer, the ideal internal temperature to reach is 140° F. After the cooking time is up, set the oven to broil and cook the ham for 10 minutes more.
4. Remove from the oven, drizzle some additional glaze over the ham and let sit a few minutes. Serves 4.
What Wine Goes With Ham? Thumbs Up Wine Food Pairing
FAQ
Do you serve red or white wine with ham?
What Italian wine goes with ham?
What wine goes well with ham?
• Our advice expert, Dr. Vinny, suggests Grenache and Pinot Noir as good red wine matches for ham, and Gewürztraminer as another aromatic white alternative to Riesling. Sparkling wine is also a great choice! • For additional pairings similar to Zinfandel and Riesling in body and flavor profile, we have a list of wines by weight here.
Is honey baked ham as good as regular ham?
The addition of honey will affect the calorie content of the food. One tablespoon of honey contributes to approximately 64 calories. In addition, the use of heat when making baked ham will reduce the quality of the honey.
What wine goes with Easter ham?
Easter ham is often a baked or glazed ham with sweet and savory flavors. Both red and white wines can be a great choice with Easter dinner. For white wine, try an off-dry Riesling or Gewürztraminer to balance the ham’s sweetness. If you prefer red wine, go for a fruit-forward Pinot Noir or Shiraz. Does Chardonnay go with ham?
What wine goes with ham & turkey?
Plus, you have to think about what will work with all those tasty sides. Pinor Noir is one of the best wine pairings for ham and turkey. It typically has bright acidity to balance out the fatty dishes. But it won’t overwhelm the lighter flavors of turkey. And its red fruit flavors complement traditional side dishes like cranberry sauce.