For the longest time, wine pairing felt like an uncrackable code passed around by elites at secret ceremonies. In reality, the hardest part is simply getting started.
To help you do just that, we asked our resident sommelier to uncork some insider tips for unlocking the full potential of a chicken sausage/wine team up. Pair this article with our guide to cheese pairings and you’ll soon be at the top of every guest list.
Don’t Be Intimidated by Wine Pairings
Sure, we tend to organize wines into red, white, rosé, still, or sparkling, but the world of wine is massive. There are nearly 10,000 grape varietals and close to 100,000 wineries globally. That’s… a lot of wine. We love that for us.
And if you want to get granular, every bottle tastes different depending on climate, grape, winemaking methods, age, and blending style. Tiny decisions can totally shift the personality of a wine.
But here’s the secret: pairing wine with food is genuinely fun. You don’t need a degree in viticulture to put together a wow-worthy combination. “Trial and error” here basically means “eat and drink until it tastes great,” which feels like a win for all involved.
Flavor Balance Is Key
There are general guidelines for pairing wine and meat, but the main idea is balance. You want a wine that complements rather than overwhelms the sausage—or gets lost in its richness.
When pairing, ask yourself whether you want to lean into the sausage’s savory umami notes or balance them out with something bright. That’s really the heart of it: do you want an opposites-attract pairing (rich meets fresh) or a like-with-like pairing where similar flavors team up and get louder together? It’s
But hey, keep in mind that everyone’s palate is different. Your destination can shift mid-journey. Trust your instincts, experiment, and lean into the versatility of our chicken sausages—they pair beautifully with a big range of wines, and the best bet is to start with what you already know you like.
Italian Herb Chicken Sausage Wine Pairings
Lean into the Mediterranean flavors of Italian Herb Chicken Sausage with a crisp Italian white such as Vermentino, Pecorino, Carricante, or Catarratto. They’re bright, minerally, and high-acid—perfect for making the herbs and Calabrian chilies pop.
Prefer red? Go herbal on herbal. Italian reds like Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Barbera, and Nero d’Avola often carry savory notes with hints of thyme or oregano, echoing the sausage’s flavor profile.
Melty Cheddar Chicken Sausage Wine Pairings
Studded with creamy cheddar cheese, this hearty-but-still-healthier sausage shines with wines that bring a little lift. A dry Riesling is a great option, offering brightness and acidity to keep the richness in check.
You can also take inspiration from Alpine regions—famous for both melty cheese and bright, zippy whites. Look for Jacquère or Vin de Savoie, the kind of wines you’d drink après-ski.
Another excellent match: Chardonnay, the chameleon grape. For a buttery, indulgent pairing, go with an oaked Napa Chardonnay that’s undergone malolactic fermentation (think vanilla and buttered popcorn). For something fresher, try a white Burgundy aged in neutral oak. It’s rich enough to stand up to the sausage while still bringing lively acidity and notes of apple and lemon.
Either path works. Try both (more vino!). This is wine, not homework, after all.
Classic Roasted Chicken Sausage Wine Pairings
This sausage brings the comfort of roast chicken without the roasting. Follow the same pairing logic you’d use for a rotisserie chicken dinner.
Classic roast chicken tends to lean French, so French white wines are a natural match. Skip light-bodied picks like Sauvignon Blanc or Muscadet and instead opt for varieties with a little more body—Chardonnay or Chenin Blanc.
A standout option is a dry Vouvray from the Loire Valley. Made from Chenin Blanc, Vouvray can deliver notes of apple and honey with medium body and zippy acidity. Chicken and apples is a timeless pairing for a reason.
Chef Kirk Gilbert’s spicy pink pasta with Italian Herb Chicken Sausage and Calabrian chili flakes.
Bring It All Together
Now that you’ve got the basics of pairing wine and sausage, you can start building out an entire meal around your favorites. Maybe that means matching a crisp Vermentino with Italian Herb in our Spicy Pink Pasta, pouring a rich Chardonnay alongside our Melty Cheddar Mac, or serving a bright Riesling with a classic roast-chicken dish loaded with sausage. The beauty of these pairings is how flexible they are—mix, match, follow your palate, and create the kind of dinner (or charcuterie board, or midnight snack) that feels like a little celebration every time.
And once you have it all figured out? Time to up your sausage and beer game.