Claire Thompson
Chicken teriyaki is a popular Japanese dish that features tender chicken glazed with a sweet and savoury teriyaki sauce. The sauce is made from soy sauce, mirin, and sugar, creating a rich and flavourful coating that pairs well with a variety of wines. When choosing a wine to pair with chicken teriyaki, it is important to consider the sweetness and richness of the sauce, as well as the subtle poultry flavours. Both red and white wines can be good choices, depending on the specific flavours and intensity of the dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Red wines | Lambrusco, Schiava, Beaujolais, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Zinfandel, Grenache, Brachetto d'Aqui, Lambrusco (amabile or dolce style), Sherry |
| White wines | Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Torrontés, Cava, Prosecco, Vignoles, Furmint, Kerner, Chenin Blanc, Moscato, Müller-Thurgau, Sauvignon Blanc |
| Sparkling wines | Champagne, Cava, Prosecco, Brachetto d'Aqui |
| Other drinks | Japanese beer (Asahi, Sapporo, Kirin Ichiban), green tea, ginger ale or ginger beer, cocktails (Margarita, Paloma, Lemon Drop Martini) |
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What You'll Learn
Red wines: Lambrusco, Schiava, Beaujolais
Lambrusco, Schiava, and Beaujolais are all light-bodied red wines that pair well with teriyaki chicken. The sweetness and saltiness of teriyaki sauce make it a good match for light, fruit-forward red wines.
Lambrusco is an Italian sparkling red wine with red cherry, strawberry, and raspberry flavours that complement the sweetness of the teriyaki sauce. It also has gentle tartness that provides a refreshing contrast to the savoury and salty sauce. Lambrusco di Sorbara is the lightest style of Lambrusco, so it won't overwhelm the flavours of the chicken.
Schiava is a light and graceful Italian red wine that is fruit-forward. It is typically made in a dry manner, so while it tastes sweet, it doesn't have a lot of residual sugar. Schiava can be harder to find but is worth trying with teriyaki chicken.
Beaujolais is a French red wine made from the Gamay grape. It has lively red fruit flavours that complement the sweet and savoury components of the teriyaki sauce. Beaujolais has good structure and concentrated flavours that stand up to the richness of the dish without overpowering it. Its fresh acidity helps to cleanse the palate.
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White wines: Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Torrontés
Teriyaki sauce is a sweet, savoury, and salty glaze that coats chicken in a rich and flavourful coating. The wine you choose to pair with teriyaki chicken should complement the dish's sweetness while balancing its richness.
Gewürztraminer is a fragrant, semi-sweet wine with lychee and rose aromas and a hint of ginger spiciness, which goes well with the ginger flavour used in teriyaki sauce. It is also an off-dry wine, meaning it has a moderate amount of residual sugar, which can enhance the sweeter notes in the sauce.
Riesling is another off-dry wine with bright citrus, pear, and apricot flavours that complement the chicken flavours. Riesling's high acidity can cut through the sticky teriyaki sauce and refresh your palate between bites. A Riesling from Alsace is particularly recommended for its zesty citrus and plush stone fruits, which complement the sweetness of the sauce, while its balancing acidity cuts through the richness of the dish.
Torrontés is an acceptable white wine to pair with teriyaki sauce. It is an off-dry wine that will not overpower the subtle poultry flavours.
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Sparkling wines: Prosecco, Cava
When it comes to wine pairings, teriyaki chicken presents a unique challenge due to the interplay of sweet, savoury, salty, and umami flavours. The wine should complement the sweetness of the dish without overwhelming the delicate chicken flavours. Sparkling wines like Prosecco and Cava are excellent choices for this reason.
Prosecco, a sparkling wine from Italy, is known for its delicate floral and fruity notes. When paired with teriyaki chicken, it adds a touch of sweetness that enhances the sugar and honey in the sauce. At the same time, the lightness of Prosecco ensures that the savoury flavours of the chicken remain prominent. For a recommended bottle, consider the Montelvini Serenitatis Asolo Prosecco Superiore Extra Brut Millesimato 2020, which won a Gold Medal in the Spring Fling Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021.
Cava, a Spanish sparkling wine, is another excellent choice for teriyaki chicken served as hors d'oeuvres or at a cocktail reception. It is inexpensive and pairs well with the sweetness of the dish. Additionally, the long-stemmed flutes used for serving Cava can be a convenient way to hold and dispose of sticky skewers.
When choosing between Prosecco and Cava for teriyaki chicken, consider the specific flavours you want to highlight. Prosecco's floral notes can add a unique dimension to the dish, while Cava's crispness can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the sauce.
Sparkling wines like Prosecco and Cava offer a delightful balance of sweetness and acidity, making them ideal companions for the complex flavours of teriyaki chicken. Their effervescence and light body ensure that the wine complements the dish without overwhelming the subtle poultry notes.
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Other drinks: Japanese beer, green tea, ginger ale
Teriyaki chicken is a popular dish with a blend of sweet and savoury flavours. While wine is a popular pairing, there are other drinks that can complement the dish's unique taste profile. Here are some alternatives to wine that can be enjoyed with teriyaki chicken:
Japanese Beer
Beer is a versatile drink that can be used not only as an accompaniment but also as an ingredient in teriyaki chicken. Japanese beer, in particular, can be a refreshing choice to balance the dish's sweet and savoury notes. A light, crisp beer variety can cut through the richness of the teriyaki sauce, providing a pleasant contrast. Additionally, using beer as a marinade ingredient, as in the Grilled Teriyaki Beer Chicken recipe, adds a unique flavour dimension to the dish. The carbonation in beer also helps tenderise the chicken, resulting in juicy and tender bites.
Green Tea
Green tea is a healthy and refreshing beverage that can be a surprising yet delightful pairing with teriyaki chicken. The slight bitterness and astringency of green tea can offset the sweetness of the teriyaki sauce. Additionally, green tea's antioxidants and subtle flavour notes can enhance the dining experience, especially when paired with dishes that feature fresh ingredients and vibrant flavours, such as teriyaki chicken with vegetables.
Ginger Ale
Ginger ale is a carbonated beverage known for its refreshing ginger flavour, which can be an excellent complement to teriyaki chicken. The slight spiciness of ginger ale can enhance the ginger notes commonly found in teriyaki sauce, creating a harmonious flavour combination. The carbonation in ginger ale also helps to cleanse the palate between bites, ensuring that you can fully appreciate the complex flavours of the dish.
While wine is a traditional pairing with teriyaki chicken, branching out and exploring alternative beverage options can lead to delightful discoveries. Japanese beer, green tea, and ginger ale each bring something unique to the table, enhancing the dining experience and offering a refreshing twist to this classic dish.
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Other wines: Vignoles, Moscato, Zinfandel
When it comes to wine, teriyaki chicken is quite versatile, pairing well with both red and white wines. The key is to balance the sweetness and richness of the teriyaki sauce with wines that offer complementary flavours and refreshing acidity. While Lambrusco, Schiava, Beaujolais, and Riesling are often recommended, there are other wines that can also be great choices to pair with teriyaki chicken.
Vignoles
Vignoles from the USA is a less typical but fantastic match for chicken teriyaki. This fragrant white wine offers honeyed stone fruit and citrus flavours that beautifully complement the sweet and savoury teriyaki sauce. Its crisp acidity cuts through the richness of the chicken, creating a well-balanced flavour profile. The cooler climate of New York state, where Vignoles flourishes, enhances its refreshing qualities, making it an excellent companion to the dish.
Moscato
A sweet white wine, Moscato is a good choice for spicy and sweet-and-sour dishes. It is often recommended for Thai and Indian cuisine, where the aromatic qualities of the wine pair well with the spices and coconut-based curries. Moscato can also work well with teriyaki chicken, as the sweetness of the wine can enhance the savoury and slightly sweet flavours of the dish.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel is a fruity and smoky red wine that can be a great choice for chicken teriyaki. Its fruit-forward character and good structure can stand up to the richness of the dish without overwhelming the delicate chicken flavours. Zinfandel is known for its versatility and ability to pair well with a variety of dishes, making it a safe choice for those who enjoy a full-bodied red wine.
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Frequently asked questions
Lambrusco, Schiava, Beaujolais, and Vignoles from the USA are all great choices. Lambrusco is a sweet, fruity, and fizzy red Italian wine that provides a refreshing contrast to the savoury and salty teriyaki sauce. Schiava is another fruity Italian red wine that is light and graceful. Beaujolais is made from the Gamay grape and has lively red fruit flavours that complement the sweet and savoury components of the teriyaki sauce.
Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Torrontés are good white wine options. Riesling, especially from Alsace, has zesty citrus and stone fruit flavours that complement the sweetness of the teriyaki sauce while balancing its richness. Gewürztraminer is a semi-sweet and fragrant wine with lychee and rose aromas, as well as a hint of ginger spiciness that goes well with the ginger in the teriyaki sauce.
Inexpensive sparkling wines like Cava or Prosecco are good options, especially if the teriyaki chicken is served as an hors d'oeuvre.
Yes, Japanese beers like lagers or pilsners (Asahi, Sapporo, or Kirin Ichiban) can complement the flavours of teriyaki chicken. Green tea, ginger ale, or ginger beer are also refreshing and palate-cleansing options.
