Best wine pairings for French Onion Soup, plus an excellent recipe and tips to pair any food and wine.
How I became runner-up in the Cono Sur Food Blogger Challenge
In 2014, I decided to take a leap and enter the Cono Sur Food Blogger Challenge. The competition invited food bloggers to create a dish that paired perfectly with one of Cono Sur’s premium Single Vineyard wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, or Riesling. With a love for food and wine and being the owner of a food blog, I knew I had to enter. I thought it was a great way to show off my growing wine knowledge and perhaps get more traffic to my blog. And it was! There was coverage all over the internet and in many print publications, including the Easy Food Christmas Annual 2014.
I was utterly thrilled that my dish, French Onion Soup with Homemade Gruyère Toasts, earned me the runner-up spot for Ireland! It was such an incredible experience to see my recipe go from an idea in my kitchen to being shortlisted and then showcased among the best entries in the country. While I didn’t make it to Paris for the Grand Finale, the journey itself was unforgettable, and I’m so proud of how far my little bowl of soup travelled.
This competition marked my first step into the world of wine. It was my first time writing about wine, but I’ve come a long way since then. Today, I am an established wine writer, having studied for and earned the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines, the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits, and the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines. This journey ignited a joy of wine that has become integral to my career and life.
Why I paired French Onion Soup with Sauvignon Blanc
You might be wondering: why pair a rich and savoury French Onion Soup with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc? Here’s my thought process:
Balancing Richness: French Onion Soup is intensely flavourful, with caramelised onions, a hearty beef stock, and the indulgent Gruyère cheese topping. Like the Cono Sur Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, a wine with bright acidity cuts through the richness and lifts the flavours beautifully.
Complementing Flavours: The wine’s citrusy notes and subtle herbal undertones complement the onions’ sweetness and the stock’s savoury depth, creating a harmonious pairing.
Refreshing Contrast: A lighter wine like Sauvignon Blanc provides a refreshing contrast to the soup’s hearty and warming nature, keeping the meal balanced and satisfying.
The Cono Sur Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc’s vibrant character and elegant structure truly elevated the dish, and I couldn’t have been happier with the pairing.
Tips for pairing wine and food
Pairing wine and food is both an art and a science. Here are some tips to help you make the perfect match:
Consider Weight and Intensity: Match the wine’s weight with the dish’s weight. For example, rich dishes pair well with full-bodied wines, while lighter fare suits more delicate wines.
Balance Flavours: Look for wines that balance the dish’s flavours. A sweet wine can tone down spiciness, while a crisp, acidic wine can cut through rich, creamy dishes.
Think About Contrast: Contrasting flavours can work wonders—for example, a slightly sweet Riesling pairs beautifully with spicy Asian dishes.
Match Regional Flavours: When in doubt, go for regional pairings. French dishes often pair well with French wines, Italian cuisine with Italian wines, and so on.
Experiment and Have Fun: The best way to learn is by trying different combinations. Don’t be afraid to experiment and discover what works for your palate.
Other wines that pair well with French Onion Soup
If Sauvignon Blanc doesn’t do it for you, here are some other wine options that pair wonderfully with French Onion Soup:
Pinot Noir: This light-bodied red wine’s earthy notes and bright acidity complement the soup’s savoury flavours and the Gruyère’s nuttiness.
Chardonnay: A lightly oaked Chardonnay adds a touch of creaminess and complements the buttery, caramelised onions.
Riesling: A dry Riesling’s crisp acidity and subtle fruitiness can balance the soup’s richness without overpowering it.
Beaujolais: With its light body and fruity character, Beaujolais makes for a fun and refreshing pairing with French Onion Soup.
Sparkling Wine: A glass of bubbly, such as Champagne or Cava, contrasts the soup’s warmth and richness.
Entering the Cono Sur Food Blogger Challenge was fun, and pairing my recipe with their Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc taught me so much about the magic of wine and food harmony. Whether crafting a dish for a competition or simply enjoying a cosy night in, I hope these tips and pairing suggestions inspire you to experiment and savour the journey—one sip and bite at a time.
Cheers to great food and wine pairings ahead!
Bon appétit!
If you are hungry for more recipe blog posts, here you go.
Here is the French Onion Soup recipe I entered into the competition.
For example, here are my recipes for casserole dish bread and gluten-free bread.
Similarly, here are my foolproof recipes for traditional Irish scones and easy flapjacks.
I also have a recipe for vegan overnight oats and baked vegan berry and banana oats.
You might also like my recipe for creamy hot chocolate.
If you want to pair wine and food, you might enjoy my guides to red wines, white wines and rosé wines.
Furthermore, if you want information on what we eat in Ireland, here is my post on the traditional Irish foods we use to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
Finally, click here to learn about Easter in Ireland: Traditions, food, and festivities.