10 Best Wine Pairing with Chicken Cacciatore

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Quick Answer: Wine Pairing with Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken cacciatore is a type of dish that goes equally well with red and white wines. It tastes its best when paired with wines like Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Primitivo, and Vermentino. Pair any of these wines with chicken cacciatore for a sweet and spicy dining venture.

This is the ultimate guide, that you’ll ever need to find the best wine to compliment chicken cacciatore and please your taste buds.

Let’s get started.

But first, let’s get to know a bit more about chicken cacciatore before we get to know the details about the best wines to pair it with.

About Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken cacciatore is an Italian dish prepared with herbs, onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Cacciatore in the name stands for “hunter” in Italian.

You can either add vinegar or wine to your dish. It is an excellent succulent home-style meal that’s been around for years now.

So, are you gushing over some chicken cacciatore already? But before that let’s find the perfect wine match for it.

Best Wine Pairing with Chicken Cacciatore

These are my top wine picks that go very well with chicken cacciatore –

1. Pinot Noir

NamePinot noir
OriginFrance
TasteDry and sweet
Primary FlavorsCherry and raspberry
AcidityBright acidity
Serving Temperature (C)55-60 degrees 
Glass TypeBurgundy
Storage (years)5 years
Wine BodyLight - Medium
Alcohol % (ABV)12-15%

Pinot Noir comes with a rich fruity flavor along with a velvety and vibrant ruby shade. It comes with a consortium of distinct flavors each maintaining its individuality.

With a dry taste and full-bodied texture, Pinot Noir comes in distinct flavors like smoky, fruity, and earthy notes.

Pinot Noir comes with few tannins and less acidity making it a perfect pair for chicken cacciatore as the meat’s natural flavor won’t get overpowered by the wine.

Check out this video to better understand Pinot Noir:

2. Sangiovese

NameSangiovese
OriginTuscany
TasteBone-dry
Primary FlavorsCherry, roasted tomato, oregano
AcidityMedium-high
Serving Temperature (C)15-20 degrees C
Glass TypeUniversal
Storage (years)10+ years
Wine BodyMedium to Full-bodied
Alcohol % (ABV)13.5-15 %

have been obtained. You can get a dry, semi-sweet, and sweet Sangiovese wine bottle based on the sugars added to it.

Along with the fruity flavors mentioned above, Sangiovese comes with savory notes of tomatoes, smoke, herbs, and tobacco.

With medium to high tannin levels and medium to full-bodied texture, Sangiovese makes an incredible pair with chicken cacciatore.

Click on the below-given link to know more about Sangiovese:

3. Gewurztraminer

NameGewurztraminer
OriginGermany
TasteOff-Dry
Primary FlavorsLychee, rose, grapefruit
AcidityLow
Serving Temperature (C)3-7 degrees C
Glass TypeWhite
Storage (years)3-5 years
Wine BodyMedium-bodied
Alcohol % (ABV)13.5-15 %

Gewurztraminer is a white wine with a floral and lychee-like aroma. It comes with sweet fruity flavors topped with spicy notes of black pepper, cinnamon, and ginger.

It has nominal levels of tannins. The Gewurztraminer grapes are a mutated version of Sauvignon Blanc grapes.

Gewurztraminer is a classic pairing option with chicken cacciatore as it complements the spicy vibe of the dish due to its slightly sweet taste.

Learn the basics of Gewurztraminer through this video:

4. Cabernet Franc

NameCabernet Franc
OriginFrance
TasteDry
Primary FlavorsRaspberry, Strawberry, and Red Plum
AcidityMedium - Highly Acidic
Serving Temperature (C)17 - 20 degrees
Glass TypeBurgundy Wine Glass
Storage (years)1 - 3 years
Wine BodyLight-bodied
Alcohol % (ABV)10 - 11%

Cabernet Franc is a bright red wine lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon. Its taste surrounds flavors of red fruits, earthy notes, and herbs. It comes with a delicate and aromatic feel with dominant aromas of cherry.

Meaty dishes like chicken cacciatore can form an irresistible food combination with Cabernet Franc due to the wine’s light body, fruity flavors, and acidity levels.

Get ample insights about Cabernet Franc through this quick video:

5. Cabernet Sauvignon

NameCabernet Sauvignon
OriginFrance
TasteDry and fruity
Primary FlavorsBlackcurrant, cedar, oaks, herbs
AcidityHighly acidic
Serving Temperature (C)59-68 degrees 
Glass TypeBordeaux / Standard red
Storage (years)7-10 years
Wine BodyMedium to full
Alcohol % (ABV)Over 13.5%

Cabernet Sauvignon comes with a dark fruity taste of black cherry, blackberry, and blackcurrant with hints of vanilla, wood, and spice.

It comes with a medium to full-bodied texture, medium levels of acidity, and moderate to high tannins.

The acidity, alcohol percentage, and tannin levels of this wine complement chicken cacciatore exceptionally well. It excellently strikes a balance with the spicy flavors of the dish.

Click on the below-given link to know more about Cabernet Sauvignon:

6. Merlot

NameMerlot
OriginFrance
TasteDark and fruity
Primary FlavorsBlack cherry, blackberry, plum, raspberry, vanilla and mocha
AcidityModerate acidity
Serving Temperature (C)60-65 degrees 
Glass TypeBordeaux
Storage (years)3-5 years
Wine BodyMedium to full
Alcohol % (ABV)13-14%

Merlot has a soft sensual texture that makes it a versatile beverage to go for.

It comes with low tannins, while its flavors range from plums to black cherries with notes of vanilla, clove, and cedar.

You can either go for a light-bodied Merlot to relish along with chicken cacciatore as this wine comes with moderate acidity and fruity notes that work well for meaty meals.

To better understand the details of Merlot, check out this quick video:

7. Sauvignon Blanc

NameSauvignon Blanc
OriginFrance
TasteDry and fruity
Primary FlavorsBlackcurrant, cedar, oaks, herbs
AcidityHighly acidic
Serving Temperature (C)59-68 degrees 
Glass TypeBordeaux / Standard red
Storage (years)7-10 years
Wine BodyMedium to full
Alcohol % (ABV)Over 13.5%

Sauvignon Blanc comes with low sugar levels and high acidity levels. This gives it a refreshing feel in every sip as you experience a tingly sensation.

The dry taste along with medium-bodied texture and fruity notes like grapefruit, passion fruit, and white peach gives Sauvignon Blanc an identity of its own.

The crispiness and peppery notes of Sauvignon Blanc go flawlessly well with a spicy bowl of chicken cacciatore.

Check out this video about Sauvignon Blanc:

8. Chardonnay

NameChardonnay
OriginFrance
TasteSweet and dry
Primary FlavorsApple and lemon
AcidityModerately acidic
Serving Temperature (C)50 degrees  
Glass TypeTraditional white wine glass
Storage (years)3-7 years
Wine BodyFull
Alcohol % (ABV)13.5 to 14.5%

Chardonnay comes with a neutral flavor. It comes with subtle notes of citrus, blossom, apple, and almonds.

It’s medium-bodied along with medium acidity and moderate to high alcohol levels.

Its dry taste and light golden shade make it visually appealing. With each sip, you experience a different flavor every time.

Chardonnay is a good pairing option for chicken cacciatore as its light wine texture will balance the full texture of the dish.

Here’s a video to get a complete gest about Chardonnay:

9. Primitivo (Zinfandel)

NamePrimitivo (Zinfandel)
OriginCroatia
TasteDry and Sweet
Primary FlavorsRaspberry, Cherry, Plum, and Blackberry
AcidityModerately Acidic
Serving Temperature (C)17 - 20 degrees
Glass TypeZinfandel Wine Glass
Storage (years)5 - 8 years
Wine BodyMedium-bodied
Alcohol % (ABV)13 - 15%

Primitivo is a red wine that comes along with black and red fruit flavors coupled with spicy pepper notes for that much-needed zing.

It comes with low tannin levels making it an easy-to-go option for smoked dishes.

Its moderate acidity and medium-bodied texture make it an excellent pair with chicken cacciatore as its spicy taste gets perfectly balanced.

Get insights regarding Primitivo through this video:

10. Vermentino

NameVermentino
OriginSardinia and Tuscany
TasteDry
Primary FlavorsLime, grapefruit, green apple
AcidityMedium-high
Serving Temperature (C)7-12 degrees C
Glass TypeWhite
Storage (years)3-5 years
Wine BodyMedium to light-bodied
Alcohol % (ABV)11.5-13.5%

Vermentino is a white wine that comes with a subtle and salty minerality. Its fruity flavors and low tannins make it a delectable beverage for everyday meals.

Its crispiness makes it a versatile drink for a variety of dishes.

Due to its versatility, you can pair Vermentino with chicken cacciatore loaded with veggies like onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers.

Get to know more about Vermentino via this video:

Wine Pairing Guide for Chicken Cacciatore

It’s a thumb rule to strike a balance between the flavors of the dish and the taste of the wine.

For instance, a dish with herbs and a bright flavor along with a light texture will complement a medium to full-bodied wine. Meaty meals should be paired with wines with high acidity to cleanse your palate.

Chicken cacciatore, hands down, pairs exceptionally well with Pinot Noir. Since this dish is loaded with tomatoes, the savory notes of the dish get perfectly balanced with the earthy and fruity flavors of Pinot Noir.

Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are considered classic wine pairing options to go for with chicken cacciatore. Their high acidity levels will help you cleanse your palate after eating a meaty dish like chicken cacciatore.

Merlot is yet another option to resort to for an ideal acidity level that will cleanse your palate plus its fruity and earthy notes will strike a poise with the savory flavor of chicken cacciatore.

Similar is the case when it comes to a glass of Primitivo for chicken cacciatore.

Recipe for Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken cacciatore takes around 55 minutes in total to cook including 15 minutes of prep time.

Coat the chicken pieces with flour after sprinkling some salt and pepper on them.

Cook them in a large saute pan for 20 to 30 minutes. In between add veggies like onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers along with required seasonings and wine, garnish the dish with basil leaves, and serve hot.

FAQs

What are the health benefits of chicken cacciatore?

Eating chicken cacciatore comes with multiple health benefits like reduced risk of heart diseases and weight management. This is because it comes loaded with proteins and fats along with veggies. One bowl of this dish comes with around 9g for carbs, 6g of fats, 20g of proteins, and 150 calories.

What ingredients are added to chicken cacciatore?

Chicken cacciatore comes with a plethora of ingredients like chicken thighs and breasts, salt and pepper, all-purpose flour, olive oil, bell peppers, onions, garlic, dry white wine, tomatoes, reduced-sodium chicken broth, drained capers, dried oregano leaves, and fresh basil leaves.

Which side dishes can we pair with chicken cacciatore?

Chicken cacciatore can be paired with a variety of dishes out there. Some of which are oxo roasties, mashed potatoes, boiled white rice, pasta, French baguette, polenta, wilted greens, steamed green beans, fried gnocchi, cauliflower rice, crispy garlic parmesan potatoes, garlic stuffed mushrooms, fondant potatoes, and crunchy green salad.

Bottom Line

Now that you’ve made it to the end, I hope this article was useful enough for you to locate your ideal wine pair for chicken cacciatore.

If you found this article useful do share it with your loved ones.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabernet_Franc
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabernet_Sauvignon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chardonnay
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gew%C3%BCrztraminer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlot
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinot_noir
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinfandel
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_wine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangiovese
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauvignon_blanc
https://www.britannica.com/topic/wine/Species-and-varieties
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermentino
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_wine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_wine
https://www.britannica.com/plant/chardonnay-grape
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Gewurztraminer
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12720412/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26593588/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23278327/
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.00990/full
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/red-wine/art-20048281
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32784991/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19171264/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/wine
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/174834/nutrients
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/174833/nutrients
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/174110/nutrients
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/174843/nutrients
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/173190/nutrients
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/174835/nutrients
https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Texas/Publications/Current_News_Release/2021_Rls/tx-wine-grape-varieties-2020.pdf
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/174839/nutrients
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/173201/nutrients
https://portal.nifa.usda.gov/web/crisprojectpages/1014549-multi-state-coordinated-evaluation-of-winegrape-cultivars-and-clones.html


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About Irene Clark

Irene is a supermom of 4 kids who always has a smile on her face. She's an amazing dancer - you should see her moves! - and she loves to eat, especially with wine. She also loves pop music and travels across the country with her family and friends.