If you’ve discovered the paella recipes on our website, or if you are a paella aficionado, you know that there are many different ways to prepare it, with as many variations as there are cooks. While there is an “official” recipe, there is also an impressive number of interpretations. In Spain, every region, every village, and every family has its own paella recipe! So, when you’re looking for a wine to pair with paella, you should follow the same logic as for any other food and wine pairing. The choice depends on the ingredients in the dish—in this case, the paella—and the tastes of those enjoying it.
Since the classification depends on the ingredients, this means that paella can be paired with red wines, white wines, and rosé wines. Generally, we consider that:
- Red wine pairs well with paellas where the main ingredients are meat (chicken, rabbit, pork)
- White wine is ideal for paellas made with fish and seafood.
- Rosé wine is suitable for both meat and fish. It is often recommended for mixed paellas.
If we had one recommendation to make, it would be to find a Spanish wine to accompany this popular Spanish dish! So, we’ll suggest both Spanish and French wines that can be paired with paella. Let’s look at them recipe by recipe, and then by the type of wine!
Valencian Paella
This is the emblematic paella recipe. And yet, it’s the least known recipe in France! We invite you to discover the recipe. It contains meat (rabbit and chicken), vegetables, and tomatoes. Its ingredients are very diverse. It is generally paired with a fruity red wine, served slightly cool (but not from the refrigerator).
Spanish Wines
For Spanish red wines, you can look for the Rioja appellation (Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja). It is one of the most famous red wine appellations in Spain, and one of the only ones to have DOC status, the equivalent of France’s AOC. The Rioja wine production area spans three Spanish provinces: Rioja, and the Basque provinces of Alava and Navarre.
You can also look for the Bierzo DO appellation, which is located in Castilla y León. This young appellation dates back to 1989 and is nestled in one of the mountainous regions of the northwest of León province (neighboring Galicia). The Mencía grape dominates the appellation and is often accompanied by Grenache Tintorera.
French Wines
Regarding French red wines, the Languedoc appellation is full of wines that are ideal for paella. The Saint-Chinian AOC, as well as the Côtes du Roussillon and Pic Saint-Loup, are a great starting point for your meal. Other Languedoc wines are also suitable! Aim for a bottle where the main grape is Syrah.
A Chinon, an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée produced near the city of the same name in Indre-et-Loire, is also an excellent choice!
Seafood Paella and Black Paella
Seafood paella is made exclusively of seafood and fish. You can find all types of shellfish and fish in it: shrimp, prawns, squid, mussels, swordfish, etc. The choice of seafood is up to the cook. Black paella is one where the rice is colored with cuttlefish ink. It, too, consists mainly of fish and shellfish. For these, we prefer a fresh, fruity, structured, and elegant white wine.
Spanish Wines
For Spanish white wine, the Rueda PDO is ideal. Its wines are produced in the Castilla y León region between Madrid and Valladolid. The appellation has existed since 1980! The Verdejo grape is king here! So look for a good DO Rueda (Denominación de Origen, the equivalent of France’s traditional AOC). You can also check out the DO Valencia, produced near the city of Valencia, and DO Rías Baixas, produced in Galicia.
It is not uncommon to see bottles of Cava opened during a paella meal. It’s a sparkling wine produced in Catalonia that pairs perfectly with paella. It is very fruity with notes of white flowers.
French Wines
For French wines, several regions can satisfy the needs of a seafood and fish paella. First, the AOC Languedoc-Picpoul de Pinet is known for accompanying all seafood dishes, making it ideal for this type of paella. From the same region, you can look at white wines from Roussillon and Corbières. A bit further in the Southwest vineyards, the Côtes de Gascogne offer excellent, very fruity white wines.
White wines from the Loire region, like a Sancerre or a Saumur blanc, also pair perfectly with a seafood paella.
Mixed Paella
As its name suggests, mixed paella is a blend of both meat and seafood. It’s a classic recipe found in almost all Spanish restaurants that serve paella. Here, we lean more towards a red or a rosé wine.
If you opt for a red wine, check out our red wine suggestions for Valencian paella. If you prefer a rosé, here are a few ideas.
Spanish Wines
For Spanish rosé wines, look for rosés from the Navarra appellation. The Navarre region is in northern Spain in the Pyrenees near Pamplona. It benefits from Atlantic, Mediterranean, and continental climates. The vines are grown on diverse types of terrain (riverbanks, plateaus, slopes), which also define the characteristics of this appellation.
Also, the rosés from Rioja DOC, mentioned for red wines, are an excellent choice.
French Wines
For French wines, many appellations are a great fit. We’re thinking of Côtes du Rhône rosé wines, including the AOC Tavel. It is produced on the hillsides along the right bank of the Rhône, between Avignon and the Pont du Gard. It has aromas of red fruits, black cherry, white flowers, and violet.
Many other options are available, such as AOC Bordeaux Clairet, Côtes de Provence, an Anjou rosé, a Patrimonio from Corsica, or the numerous rosés from Languedoc (Costières de Nîmes, IGP Sable de Camargue, IGP Côtes Catalanes, and many others).
Vegetarian Paella
Although less common, vegetarian paella exists! It generally consists of artichokes, hearts of palm, green beans, peppers, onions, and tomatoes. It can be paired with an excellent light and fruity rosé. Look at our rosé wine suggestions in the section on mixed paella.
Summary of Wines to Pair with Paella
White Wines
Here is a list of white wines that can be paired with a seafood and fish paella:
- Rueda (Spain)
- Valencia (Spain)
- Rías Baixas (Spain)
- Cava (Spanish sparkling wine)
- Corbières blanc (France)
- Picpoul de Pinet (France)
- Côtes de Gascogne (France)
- Saumur blanc (France)
- Bordeaux blanc (France)
The main grape varieties found in these wines are: Albariño, Godello, Verdejo, Merseguera, Picpoul Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Maccabeu, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, etc.
Rosé Wines
Here is a list of rosé wines that can be paired with a vegetarian and a mixed paella:
- Navarra (Spain)
- Rioja (Spain)
- Bordeaux Clairet (France)
- Tavel and other rosés from Côtes-du-Rhône (France)
- Côtes de Provence (France)
- Anjou rosé (France)
- Rosés from Languedoc like Costières de Nîmes, Sable-de-Camargue, Côtes de Thau, Côtes Catalanes, Coteaux de Béziers, etc.
- Patrimonio (Corse, France)
The main grape varieties in these wines are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Clairette, Grolleau, Viura, Cinsault, Carignan, etc.
Red Wines
Here is a list of red wines that can be paired with a paella:
- Rioja DOC (Spain)
- Bierzo DO (Spain)
- AOC Languedoc (Saint-Chinian, Côtes du Roussillon, Pic Saint-Loup, Terrasses du Larzac, for example. Look for Syrah grapes, all from France).
- Chinon (France)
The main grape varieties in these wines are: Syrah, Grenache Noir, Tempranillo, Mencía, Mazuelo, Cabernet Franc, Grenache Tintorera, etc.
As you now understand, there is no single wine to pair with paella, but rather as many possibilities as there are recipes! The key is to consider the main ingredients of your dish—meat, fish, seafood, or vegetables—in order to choose the right wine for the recipe. Whether it’s red, white, or rosé, Spanish or French, the ideal wine is one that respects the balance of the dish and the preferences of your guests.
