French onion soup is a classic French dish that is made by slowly caramelizing onions and then simmering them in a savory broth along with slices of crusty bread covered in melted cheese. The rich, intensely flavorful broth and sweet, tender onions pair beautifully with certain wines that complement and enhance the flavors of the soup.
What is French onion soup?
French onion soup originated in France, of course, likely in the 18th century. It was originally considered a peasant food, as onions were an inexpensive vegetable. Over time it became popular in restaurants and a classic of French cuisine.
Traditional French onion soup is made by slowly cooking down sliced onions in butter until they are caramelized, deep golden brown in color and very sweet. The onions are then simmered for a long time in a beef or chicken broth seasoned with herbs like thyme and bay leaves. The broth takes on the rich flavor of the caramelized onions.
To serve, the hot soup is ladled into an oven-safe bowl and topped with a slice of toasted French bread that has been coated on one side with grated cheeses like Gruyère or Comté. The soup is placed under the broiler briefly to melt and browned the cheese topping, which forms a crusty, cheesy cap on the soup.
What types of wine pair well with French onion soup?
The rich, mellow sweetness of the caramelized onions and the savory, hearty broth in French onion soup pair best with wines that complement and bring out those characteristics. Key things to consider when choosing a wine to go with French onion soup are:
- The wine should be dry and medium to full-bodied
- It should have enough acidity to cut through the richness of the soup
- The wine’s flavors should integrate with the sweetness of the onions and the savory broth
- The wine should be able to stand up to the melted cheese topping
Based on these criteria, some of the best pairings include:
White Wine Pairings
- Dry Riesling: Riesling has crisp acidity to balance the richness of the soup, aromas of stone fruits that complement the sweet onions, and typically no oaky flavors to compete with the broth.
- Chardonnay: A fuller-bodied, unoaked Chardonnay has enough weight and texture to stand up to the soup. Citrus and green apple notes brighten the onions’ sweetness.
- Pinot Gris/Grigio: These whites have medium body and crisp acidity. They have fruit flavors like pears, apples, and lemon that integrate nicely with the soup.
- Champagne: Champagne makes a lovely, celebratory pairing. Its fine bubbles and brisk acidity cleanse the palate without competing with the soup’s flavors.
Red Wine Pairings
- Pinot Noir: The light body, berry flavors, earthiness, and high acidity of Pinot Noir work beautifully with this soup. It enhances the soup without overwhelming it.
- Grenache: Grenache-based wines like a Garnacha have medium body, peppery spice, and red fruit flavors that complement the soup’s sweet onions and savory broth.
- Syrah: Northern Rhône Syrah offers savory umami flavors along with blackberry notes that pair wonderfully with the soup.
Rosé Wine Pairings
- Dry rosé: Dry rosés made from grapes like Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah offer bright red fruit flavors, crisp acidity, and a light body that won’t overpower the soup.
- Sparkling rosé: The tiny bubbles in sparkling rosé help cut through the richness while contributing delicate red berry notes.
What wines are less ideal with French onion soup?
While the wines listed above complement French onion soup well, there are some types of wines that pair less ideally. These include:
- Oaky red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, which can clash with the broth’s flavors
- Sweet white wines like Riesling Auslese, whose sweetness overwhelms the soup
- High-alcohol wines that would overpower the soup’s delicate flavors
- Very light, crisp whites like Vinho Verde that would get drowned out by the soup
- Heavily tannic reds like Nebbiolo that conflict with the textures of the soup
Should you drink white or red wine with French onion soup?
Both white and red wines can make excellent pairings with French onion soup. In general:
- White wines pair especially well if you want something to contrast and cut through the richness of the soup. Crisp, acidic whites with stone fruit or citrus notes are best.
- Medium-bodied, fruit-forward reds complement the soup’s savory umami flavors. They also stand up well to the melted cheese topping.
- Rosés give you a middle ground with bright fruit flavors and enough body not to get lost alongside the soup’s hearty flavors and textures.
Consider the style of the soup as well. If the broth is very concentrated and caramelized, darker reds may work better than light whites. With a lighter broth, crisp whites may be a more harmonious match than very bold reds.
How do you select the ideal wine to pair with French onion soup?
Selecting the perfect wine comes down to considering the soup’s key characteristics and choosing a wine that complements them:
- The richness of the slowly cooked caramelized onions calls for wines with good acidity to provide contrast.
- The sweetness of the onions pairs well with fruit-forward wines that won’t clash with the sweet notes.
- The savory umami depth of the broth calls for wines with complexity, body, and their own savoriness.
- The texture of the bread and melted cheese topping should be matched by wines with enough weight and structure.
Taste the soup and think about whether crisp acidity, fruit flavors, savory depth, or a sturdy structure is most important. Then select a wine that delivers those elements. Sampling some options can help identify the best pairing.
What are some specific wine recommendations?
Based on the keys to pairing wine with French onion soup, here are some excellent wines to consider:
White Wines
- Alsatian Riesling
- Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc)
- White Burgundy (unoaked Chardonnay)
- Albariño from Spain
- Soave Classico (Garganega) from Italy
Red Wines
- Pinot Noir from Oregon or California
- Côtes du Rhône Grenache-Syrah blend
- Chianti Classico (Sangiovese) from Italy
- Red Burgundy
Rosé Wines
- Dry Provençal rosé from France
- Navarra rosado from Spain
- Sparkling rosé
When in doubt, opt for wines from the same place as the soup’s origins in France. French whites from Burgundy or the Loire Valley, French reds from the Rhône Valley, and French rosés from Provence are reliable matches that complement the classic flavors of the soup.
Does the cheese topping affect the wine pairing?
The melted cheese that tops a serving of French onion soup can influence the wine pairing, since the cheese adds another flavor and texture element. Some guidelines when considering the cheese:
- Go for a wine with enough acidity to cut through the added richness from the cheese.
- Stronger cheeses like Gruyère and aged Comté pair better with equally sturdy wines like Chardonnay or Syrah.
- Delicate cheeses like young Comté or Emmenthal match better with lighter reds and whites.
- Bubbles and tingly carbonation in sparkling wines help cleanse the palate of cheese richness.
In general, bubbly, higher-acid wines work with any cheese topping, while light-bodied wines may get drowned out by stronger cheeses. Match the wine’s weight and intensity to the type of cheese used.
Should you drink wine before, during, or after eating the soup?
The sequence for enjoying wine with French onion soup depends on your goals:
- Before: Take a few sips of wine first to awaken your palate. This enhances your ability to appreciate the soup’s complex flavors.
- During: Drink wine between spoonfuls of soup to cleanse your palate and renew the flavors. The wine’s acidity cuts through the richness.
- After: Wait until finishing the soup before enjoying the wine. This allows you to focus fully on the soup first.
Drinking wine throughout the course of eating French onion soup lets you experience how different stages of the soup interact with the wine. Just be sure to have a wine that complements, rather than competes with, the soup.
Can you enjoy French onion soup without wine?
Absolutely! While wine is a traditional pairing, French onion soup can certainly be enjoyed on its own without any wine. Other beverage options include:
- Sparkling water to cleanse the palate
- Herbal tea like chamomile
- Hearty beer like Bière de Garde
- Cider
- Coffee
The flavors of the soup will come through differently without wine. Without the contrast of wine, be sure to provide some acidity and crunch with things like a salad, pickles, or crusty bread on the side. This balances out the soup’s richness.
Key Takeaways
- French onion soup’s sweet caramelized onions and savory umami broth pair well with wines that have good acidity, fruit flavors, and medium body.
- Great options include Riesling, Pinot Noir, Grenache blends, rosé, and Champagne.
- Avoid big oaky wines that overwhelm the soup’s delicate balance of flavors.
- Consider the cheese topping when selecting the wine pairing.
- Drink wine before, during, or after the soup depending on your goals for the pairing.
- The soup can also be enjoyed without wine by adding acidity in other ways.
French onion soup has many possibilities for wine pairings that enhance and complement its iconic flavors. With a balanced wine match, this French classic is even more enjoyable. Next time you make some French onion soup at home, experiment with different wine pairings to find your perfect match.