Which wine goes well with foie gras? The best pairings with Côtes du Rhône wines

The classic foie gras and wine pairing favours sweet or syrupy whites: Sauternes, Jurançon, Monbazillac. These sweet wines create a sugary harmony with the creamy texture of foie gras.

In the Rhône Valley, we have our own treasures: Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise with its notes of candied apricot, sweet Rasteau with aromas of dried fruit, and sparkling Saint-Péray, which adds a touch of festive lightness.

These pairings work beautifully: they are sure bets, but there are other equally interesting alternatives!

The Côtes du Rhône offer a different, more modern approach that is winning over an increasing number of enthusiasts.

Aromatic white wines, particularly those made with Viognier, provide a generous roundness that complements the richness of foie gras without any sugary effect. The white Villages, with their ample structure and well-preserved freshness, also create a refined balance.

Here, the approach is to cut through the richness of the foie gras with the wine’s aromatic roundness, while maintaining a lively freshness that refreshes the palate. Rather than opting for a luscious sweetness, the focus is on the aromatic generosity and silky texture of the great Rhône whites.

This approach works particularly well with plain or semi-cooked foie gras, where the delicacy of the product can fully express itself, without being overshadowed by the power of a sweet wine.

Discover the Côtes du Rhône wines

Domaine de l'Odylée - V de Viognier 2023 (AB)
The ripe apricot and acacia blossom aromas of Viognier create a delicious harmony with the melt-in-the-mouth texture of semi-cooked foie gras. The wine's roundness envelops the palate and complements the creaminess of the dish. A remarkably elegant white wine for foie gras, perfect for those who enjoy sweetness without sugar.

Château Gigognan - Viognier 2024 (AB)
This organic Viognier develops notes of white peach and acacia honey. Its silky texture and lingering finish make it an ideal partner for plain foie gras. The wine enhances the delicacy of the product without overpowering it, creating the delicate balance sought by discerning palates.

E. Guigal - Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2023
The signature Guigal in a benchmark white Côtes du Rhône. Its fruity profile (pear, white fruits) and beautiful fullness create a classic and successful foie gras and wine pairing. This wine works just as well with foie gras terrine as it does with a slice simply served on toast.

Domaine Saint Laurent - Garriguette 2023 (HVE)
A white wine with pronounced floral notes and a generous roundness that harmonises perfectly with the texture of foie gras. Its fresh finish avoids any heaviness, allowing you to enjoy several slices without feeling overwhelmed. An excellent choice for festive occasions!

Domaine Autrand - Villages Sablet Blanc 2023 (AB)
When foie gras is pan-fried, golden brown and slightly caramelised, it calls for a white wine with more structure. This organic white Sablet offers the necessary fullness, with complex aromas of yellow fruit and a lovely finish. Its natural elegance stands up to the caramelised flavour without overpowering the delicacy of the foie gras.

Domaine de Coste Chaude - Villages Visan L'Octave 2023 (AB)
A white Villages wine with character, rich and expressive. Its ripe fruit notes and generous texture create a fascinating dialogue with pan-fried foie gras accompanied by roasted figs. Here, the wine and foie gras pairing becomes gastronomic.

Domaine Au 7ème Clos - Visan ‘Ciel Étoilé’ 2023 (AB)
This white Visan lives up to its name: it illuminates the tasting experience. Its aromatic complexity and full-bodied structure make it a partner of choice for foie gras in its most sophisticated form. A wine tailor-made for special occasions.

Domaine de la Bastide - Visan ‘1,2,3 Filles’ 2024 (AB - HVE)
Three daughters, one great wine. This white Visan combines generosity and finesse, perfect for balancing the richness of pan-fried foie gras with caramelised apples. Its sustained freshness prevents heaviness despite the richness of the dish.

Domaine Grand Veneur - Côtes du Rhône Grand Veneur 2024 (AB)
When your foie gras is accompanied by gingerbread, fig chutney or mango, this lively white wine is a must. Its sharp acidity and citrus notes temper the sweetness of the accompaniments. A white wine that brings lightness to the whole dish.

Roche - L'Inattendu, À Fleur de Vigne 2024 (HVE)
Freshness incarnate. This wine has a mineral tension that contrasts beautifully with sweet and savoury dishes. Its delicate aromatic profile (citrus fruits, white flowers) brings an almost spring-like dimension to winter foie gras tasting.

Cellier des Princes - Sceau du Prince 2024
A frank and direct white, perfect for foie gras accompanied by onion confit or chutney. Its natural liveliness cuts through the sugar and fat so that every flavour can be fully enjoyed. Excellent value for money for receptions.

Yes, red wine and foie gras can be paired together! But be careful: only fine, fruity reds with silky tannins work. These wines bring a different dimension, a new dimension to the classic pairing of white wine and foie gras.

Domaine des Gravennes - Lou Pitchoun 2024 (AB)
A red wine as light as air, bursting with fresh red fruit. Its almost non-existent tannins and crisp finish make it a surprising but successful partner for foie gras. Serve chilled (14°C) to accentuate its natural freshness.

Domaine des Coccinelles - 2023 (AB)
This generous red with notes of cherry and raspberry brings a touch of cheerfulness to the tasting of foie gras. Its bright fruitiness and lightness create an interesting contrast with the creaminess of the dish.

Domaine de l'Amandine - La Garcine 2024 (AB)
A fruity and elegant red that works particularly well with foie gras served warm. Its aromas of ripe red fruits and silky texture come together in beautiful harmony.

M. Chapoutier - Belleruche 2024
A sure bet from Chapoutier. This supple and accessible red accompanies foie gras without overpowering it, thanks to a touch of fine tannins that add depth to the pairing.

Domaine Pique-Basse - Roaix Ventabren 2023 (AB, Demeter)
A biodynamic Villages red of rare elegance. Its controlled structure and silky tannins make it the ideal companion for pan-fried foie gras with porcini mushrooms. The pairing of wine and foie gras reaches gastronomic heights here.

Plan de Dieu - Domaine Piecaud 2023
This red Plan de Dieu has a generous fullness that stands up to even the richest foie gras. Its aromas of black fruits and spices bring a real complexity that elevates the tasting experience.

Les Vignerons de Tavel & Lirac - Signargues 2023
A fine, structured red Villages wine, perfect for enthusiasts looking for a red wine with character to accompany foie gras. Its aromatic persistence prolongs the pleasure of tasting.

Rosé with foie gras? Absolutely, but in specific contexts: foie gras in a salad, a summer dish, or served chilled as a light starter.

M. Chapoutier - Belleruche rosé 2024
This fresh and precise rosé brings a touch of lightness to foie gras served in a salad with fresh figs.

Maison Sinnae - Éléments Terra 2024 (HVE - RSE)
An elegant and responsible rosé, perfect for a summery foie gras. Its finesse and mineral freshness make it an original and successful choice.

Domaine Corinne Depeyre - Tout un Style 2024 (AB)
Its delicate aromas and fine structure create a surprising harmony with foie gras served fresh.

Mi-cuit foie gras, with its melt-in-the-mouth texture and delicate flavour, calls for full-bodied white wines. Viognier de l'Odylée, Guigal Blanc or Grand Veneur create pairings where the roundness of the wine complements the creaminess of the foie gras without overpowering it.

When foie gras is pan-fried, its crust releases aromas that call for more structure. White wines from Visan or Sablet stand up well to the caramelised notes. Fine red wines such as Roaix Ventabren bring a different, almost earthy dimension that pairs beautifully with accompaniments such as porcini mushrooms or roasted figs.

To enjoy foie gras in its simplest form, served in a terrine with toast, opt for a Viognier or a fresh white Côtes du Rhône such as Sceau du Prince.

Sweet accompaniments completely change the game. A lively, fruity white wine such as Grand Veneur or L'Inattendu is essential here.

For a lighter version, served as a salad with crisp leaves and fresh fruit, an elegant rosé is a must. Belleruche rosé or Terra provide that tangy freshness that cleanses the palate between each bite.

White wine: serve between 10 and 12°C. This temperature allows the aromas to fully express themselves while preserving the freshness needed to balance the richness of the foie gras. If too cold, the wine loses its complexity; if too warm, it lacks liveliness.

Light red wine: 14°C maximum. Remove the bottle from the cellar 20 minutes before serving.

Rosé: 10°C for optimal freshness.

Pan-fried foie gras: serve the wine slightly cooler (9-10°C for whites) to balance the heat of the dish and the fat released during cooking.

Cold foie gras: you can increase the temperature slightly (11-12°C) to allow the wine's aromas to express themselves better.

The young red wines in our selection benefit from being opened slightly (15-20 minutes) before serving.