After watching (or listening to) this episode of Wine Time with Peggy featured above, scroll down to dive deeper into Peggy Fiandaca’s white wine pairing insights. Below, you’ll find her practical tips on understanding acidity, balance, and food-friendly whites—plus her refreshing Southwestern Shrimp Ceviche recipe, a bright and flavorful dish designed to pair beautifully with crisp, well-structured white wines. Pour a glass and explore how the right pairing can elevate every bite.
White Wine Pairing
The aromas and taste of white wine can vary greatly. From a grassy New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to a California buttery Chardonnay, the flavors run the full gamut from fresh and light to bold and fruity. White wines can range in color from almost water-like to a golden straw shimmering in the sun. The grape variety, the age of the wine, terroir, or the winemaking style can influence white wines’ color, aroma, and taste.
Common Varieties
Chardonnay: The flavor profile can range from refreshing and crisp with citrus notes when unoaked, to richer, with notes of vanilla, butter, and spice when barrel-aged.
Sauvignon Blanc: This white wine can burst with grapefruit and gooseberries or have more grassy, herbaceous notes such as bell pepper.
Pinot Grigio: This white wine is typically light-bodied with fresh citrus flavors and some minerality.
Riesling: This white wine can range from stone-dry to cloyingly sweet. A dry Riesling can have lovely crisp apple, citrus, and minerality, making it a perfect pairing with Asian cuisine. The sweeter versions express the richness of honey and can be the perfect pairing with an apple tart or other fruit desserts.
Tips for Pairing White Wine with Food
1. Acidity is key. High-acidic wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Chablis, or Albariño can cut through creamy, fatty dishes, adding relief to the palate.
2. Match flavor intensity and aromatic notes. For delicate dishes, choose a Pinot Grigio or unoaked Chardonnay, while fuller-bodied wines like oaked Chardonnay or Viognier can pair nicely with richer foods like roast chicken or shrimp ceviche. Herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with salads, while a floral Riesling enhances spicy, subtly sweet dishes.
3. Consider the cooking method. The way the dish is prepared can influence your wine choice. For example, a butter-poached fish might pair well with a high-acid Chablis, while a grilled salmon might pair better with an oaked Viognier.
4. Match the sauce. When creating a sauce, consider its flavor profile. Citrusy sauces pair well with crisp white wine, while rich, creamy sauces pair well with a buttery Chardonnay. Cooking your sauce with the wine you are going to serve with the meal makes the pairing truly special.
5. Consider the entire meal. Choose a white wine that can pair with the entire meal, not just the protein. Consider the side dishes, sauces, and the main protein. They all should be complementary.
Peggy’s Southwestern Shrimp Ceviche Recipe
Serves 4-6
Ingredients -
1 lb. raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup fresh lime juice (about 8-10 limes)
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4 lemons)
1/2 cup fresh orange juice (about 2 oranges)
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
1 cup diced cucumber
1 cup diced tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 avocado, diced
Salt and pepper to taste
Tortilla chips for serving
Instructions -
1. Chop the shrimp into small, bite-sized pieces and place them in a large glass bowl.
2. Pour the fresh lime, lemon, and orange juices over the shrimp, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until the shrimp turn opaque and pink.
3. Once the shrimp are “cooked” in the citrus juices, drain most of the juice, leaving a little for flavor.
4. Add the finely chopped red onion, jalapeño, cucumber, tomatoes, and cilantro to the shrimp. Gently stir to combine.
5. Season the ceviche with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Just before serving, gently fold in the diced avocado.
7. Serve the shrimp ceviche chilled with tortilla chips.
Wine Pairing Suggestion –
Serve a fruit-forward wine such as LDV Winery 2023 Rosé of Grenache (2025 silver medal winner at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition) or LDV’s 2022 Viognier with a kiss of French oak bursting with tropical fruit notes. Another great white wine is Sauvignon Blanc.
Check out WINE & BITES, Big Blend's "Wine Time With Peggy" Podcast & Recipe Magazine featuring Peggy's recipes, articles, wine pairing tips, recipes, and past podcast episodes: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/fmlb/
🔗 Helpful Links & Resources:
- LDV Winery: https://ldvwinery.com
- Wine & Bites Magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/fmlb/
- Wine Time with Peggy Podcast: https://wine-time-peggy.podbean.com/
