Asparagus pairs best with crisp and dry unoaked white wines, such as Sauvignon Blanc,  Muscat, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Grigio and Vermentino.  Keep all red wines and rosés away from Asparagus as the red fruit flavours clash with the pungency of Asparagus, making the wine taste like a dank and mouldy basement where small rodents go to die.

Sweet wines and Asparagus are also a terrible mix. Thus if you pair up Asparagus with a Riesling, ensure it is a bone dry Riesling.  Otherwise, your sweet wine will taste like mossy compost water.

Finally, keep all oaked wines away from Asparagus as well.  The oak notes clash with the vegetal and green flavours of Asparagus and will make the wine end up tasting incredibly weird.  However, if the Asparagus is served in a cream sauce, a buttery Chardonnay provided it isn’t heavily oaked.  The reason creamy Asparagus and an oaked Chardonnay works is that the creamy sauce spreads out the bitter asparagus flavours, meaning the flavours aren’t overly concentrated to the point that they will clash with the oak in your wine.

Best Wine with Asparagus

TypeVarietalFoodRating
White WineGrüner VeltlinerAsparagus
White WineSauvignon BlancAsparagus
White WineMuscadetAsparagus
White WineGrüner VeltlinerAsparagus Tempura
Fortified WineMarsala, DryAsparagus
White WineSancerreAsparagus
White WineSauvignon BlancWhite Asparagus
White WineSavennièresAsparagus
White WinePetit ChablisAsparagus
Sparkling WineSektAsparagus
White WinePouilly sur LoireAsparagus
White WinePinot BiancoWhite Asparagus
White WineFavoritaAsparagus
White WineFriulanoAsparagus With Prosciutto and Eggs
White WineMuscat, DryAsparagus Tempura
White WineLanguedoc, WhiteAsparagus
SherrySherry, AmontilladoCrab and Asparagus Soup
White WineKoshuAsparagus Tempura
White WinePicpoul de PinetAsparagus
White WineGentil D'AlsaceAsparagus
White WineMuscat, DryWhite Asparagus
White WineGrilloLinguine with Cod and Asparagus
White WineRoupeiroAsparagus Risotto
White WineSilvanerAsparagus
White WineMenetou Salon, WhiteAsparagus w/ bacon Kushiyaki
White WineChâteauneuf du Pape, WhiteAsparagus Potage
White WineSauvignon BlancAsparagus Soup
Sparkling WineChampagneAsparagus
White WineVermentinoRoasted Asparagus
White WinePigatoAsparagus Risotto
White WineQuincy - Loire ValleyAsparagus w/ bacon Kushiyaki
White WineChâteauneuf du Pape, WhiteAsparagus Quiche
White WineSemillonAsparagus Soup
White WinePouilly FuméAsparagus
White WineGavi di Gavi / Cortese di Gavi (DOCG)Asparagus Risotto
White WineTursan AOVDQS - WhiteAsparagus
White WineGrilloAsparagus with Parmesan Dressing
White WineMuscat, AlsaceAsparagus
White WineMâcon, WhiteAsparagus Quiche
White WineSemillonAsparagus
White WineChardonnay, UnoakedAsparagus Salad
SakeSakeAsparagus
White WineSauvignon BlancAsparagus Risotto
White WineMuscat, DryAsparagus
White WineChenin Blanc, Loire ValleyAsparagus
White WineSauvignon BlancAsparagus Salad
White WineGraves, White - BordeauxAsparagus
White WineVouvrayAsparagus
White WinePinot GrigioAsparagus Risotto
Sparkling WineProseccoAsparagus
White WinePinot GrisAsparagus
BeerWheat BeerAsparagus Salad
White WineFumé BlancAsparagus
White WinePinot GrigioAsparagus
White WineSoave ClassicoAsparagus
Sparkling WineChampagneWhite Asparagus
White WineRieslingAsparagus
White WineVerdicchioAsparagus
White WineBordeaux, White, DryAsparagus
Sparkling WineSparkling WineAsparagus
BeerWheat BeerAsparagus
White WineRiesling, Grand Cru, AlsaceWhite Asparagus
Red WineRed WineAsparagus
White WineGewürztraminerAsparagus

Sauvignon Blanc and Asparagus Pairing


Sauvignon Blanc is fantastic wine pairing with Asparagus as this crisp white wine is a little pungent and grassy on the nose which complements the Asparagus flavours. Furthermore, the fresh flavours of lemon, grapefruit, green apple and lime brighten up the spring-time flavours of Asparagus.

I like my Asparagus steamed and covered in butter.  Sauvignon is perfect with this side dish as the crisp acidity of the wine cuts through the oils with ease while amplifying the green freshness of the Asparagus, as well as providing a refreshing contrast.

One of my favourite spring-time meals is grilled Salmon with Asparagus on the side.  A glass of Sauvignon Blanc is amazing with this combination.

Grüner Veltliner & Asparagus Pairing


Grüner Veltliner is a white wine that is high in acidity and loaded with clean green notes of lentils, mineral, herbs, white pepper, and peas which complement all the bitter green flavours of Asparagus.  Meanwhile, the fruit flavours of green apple, lime apricot, grapefruit and melon provide a crisp and refreshing contrast to the Asparagus.

Grüner Veltliner is not a crowd-pleasing wine, so I would not serve it up at a ladies spring luncheon.  Instead, reserve Grüner Veltliner for intimate meals with your family or close friends, such as during a mild spring evening, where you are enjoying  a salmon burger with a side of freshly steamed Asparagus from your garden.

Grüner Veltliner is the best wine to pair with all sorts of challenging to pair vegetables, including artichokes, bell peppers, broccoli, arugula, green beans and peas.

Vermentino & Roasted Asparagus Pairing


Vermentino is a light-bodied white wine that has aromas of pear, melon, lemon, grapefruit and crushed gravel. While Vermentino is light in body, it often has a soft and creamy texture that is lovely with roasted Asparagus.  Vermentino also has a subtle bitterness that complements the bitter asparagus flavours.  Flavours of herbs and mineral found in the wine wine make Vermentino an excellent wine pairing with Asparagus as it complement Asparagus’s green and earthier side, making for a fantastic pairing.

Pinot Grigio & Asparagus Pairing


A light Italian Pinot Grigio is a wonderful wine pairing with Asparagus as the light and dry flavours of lemon, green apples, melon and peach won’t overshadow the pungent green flavours of Asparagus.   You’ll also find notes of stone, mineral, grass and smoke that complement the earthy green flavours of Asparagus that have been grilled or roasted.

While Pinot Grigio wouldn’t be my first choice with Asparagus, this white wine is a huge crowd pleaser making it perfect for a large spring luncheon or banquet where Asparagus is being served as a side, as part of a salad, or as a creamy soup.  Another fantastic alternative would be a crisp and dry white wine such as Prosecco, as the neutral flavours provide the right amount of refreshment with the green flavours of Asparagus.

Muscat D’Alsace & Cold Asparagus Salad Pairing


Asparagus served in a cold salad with a vinaigrette is perfect beside a glass of dry Muscat D’Alsace.  There are many styles of Muscat, so make certain you seek out Muscat D’Alsace, a French wine that smells like Spring.  Floral aromas along with honey, pear, and peach flirt perfectly with the pungent green flavours of the Asparagus and the sharp vinaigrette bite of the dressing.

Make sure you stick to a dry Muscat D’Alsace from France or a bone dry Yellow Muscat from Austria.  Sweet Muscat styles (which are popular) are terrible with Asparagus, and will taste like mossy compost tea.

*(Tasting Compost Tea is something I recommend avoiding at all costs as it is nasty. I know this from experiences as I have been splashed in the face many times by compost water from my home gardening adventures)