What wine pairs with melon?

With the arrival of warmer weather, one of summer’s must-haves is making a comeback on our plates: melon! Fragrant, refreshing, and low in calories, it can be enjoyed throughout the meal, from appetizers to dessert.

Melon and ham: the star pairing for cocktail parties… served with wine!

Served as tapas with Serrano ham, Coppa, Parma ham, or Bayonne ham, melon pairs well with a naturally sweet wine. While Port remains a classic choice, it may overpower the melon’s delicate flavor if the melon is still too unripe. Instead, opt for a wine with lower residual sugar: Banyuls, Maury, or Rivesaltes are excellent choices, and their aromas of spices, leather, and ripe fruit will perfectly enhance your tapas.

Another option is to let the rich, fruity notes of Tempranillo and Grenache shine through, savoring the sweet-and-salty balance of melon and ham pairings with wines from Rioja or the Côtes du Rhône.

When serving with cooked ham, opt for a less tannic wine. A Provence rosé, such as a Bandol, will be very pleasant and leave you with a refreshing finish.

If you’re looking to get creative with tapas and make skewers with melon, cured ham, tomato, and mozzarella, go for the freshness and delicacy of a Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence or a Côtes de Provence!

Melon, cheese, and white wine or sparkling wine!

Also as an appetizer, melon is often served with fresh cheeses such as mozzarella or feta. It pairs particularly well with the citrus, white floral, and honey notes characteristic of the Chenin Blanc grape variety. So opt for a semi-dry white wine from the Loire Valley, such as a Vouvray or a Montlouis-sur-Loire.

And if you’re looking for something a little more unique (and some bubbles!), why not try a Crémant de Loire ( brut) or, if you prefer sweeter sparkling wines, a Clairette de Die or a Blanquette de Limoux?

What wine goes well with melon served for dessert?

Whether eaten on its own, as sorbet, or in a fruit salad, melon is just as ubiquitous in summer desserts. Feel free to play up its sweet notes by pairing it with a Sauternes, a Muscat, a Gewürztraminer, or even a late-harvest Riesling.

And if you don’t like melon as a fruit, you can serve your guests a Melon wine! That’s right—Melon Blanc (also known as Melon de Bourgogne) is also the name of the grape variety used to make Muscadet.