Pairing Wine With Ham: 7 Ideas That Go Great With Ham
When you think of a holiday dinner, a delicious, juicy ham dinner probably comes to mind. Ham is extremely versatile and can be cooked, roasted, or baked in various ways, generally for special occasions and holidays. With some ham-centric holidays right around the corner, it’s crucial to know not only what kind of ham you should bring to the festivities, but more importantly: the wine that you should bring.
Ham has very specific flavors and textures that you’ll need to factor into your wine pairing decision. Still feeling stuck? Don’t worry, that’s where we come in. For any holiday, festivity, or celebration, our team at Ohza has some tips and tricks up our sleeves to help you have the best event you can.
If you’re looking for a match made in heaven for your next get-together, here are some of our favorite ideas for pairing ham and wine that are definitely worth celebrating. And, of course, you can always pair your ham with a delicious Ohza mimosa!
Glaze for Days
One of the most distinctive parts of cooking a ham is the specific glaze used to dress up the meat. A honey-baked ham will taste very different from a black forest ham. It’s important to understand these differences, especially when pairing wines.
Like a specific ham glaze, wines have different notes of flavors that are unique to each bottle. Some bottles might overpower the flavors of the ham, and some will highlight it perfectly. It’s crucial to know which bottles are best for pairing when it comes to letting a glaze shine through.
Here are three of our favorite ham glazes and our choice of wine to go with it.
1. Honey Baked Ham
The star player when it comes to hams is the honey-baked ham. It's what most people go for due to its simple sweetness and unmatched texture. The best way to pair a sweet ham like this one is to pair it with a wine that matches its sweetness.
Our top picks for this are a White Port, a dry Riesling, or a White Merlot.
2. Brown Sugar Ham
Even sweeter than its glazed cousin, honey, the brown sugar ham is a sweet and savory combo that is a winner every time. When it comes to pairing wine with this glaze, a significantly sweeter wine may be the way to go.
For the red wine category, we choose a wine with notes of spice and chocolate to complement the sweetness of the glaze while still contrasting the saltiness of the ham.
3. Mustard Glaze Ham
For a ham glaze more on the savory side, our favorite choice is a mustard glaze. It’s savory, a little spicy, and full of tang. Mustard-glazed ham mustard glaze is the perfect time to introduce a classic red to the table.
Our favorite red wine to pair with a savory ham like this one is a Pinot Noir. It’s a winning combo that you’ll want to make time and time again.
Charcuterie Meats
Another great way to enjoy ham is through the art of charcuterie. If you don’t want to have a full ham dinner, charcuterie is the best way to enjoy ham in small doses. Ham products like prosciutto, sliced hams, and other cured hams are best for charcuterie. When it comes to pairing charcuterie meats with wine, it’s going to be a little different than pairing with a full ham.
With cured hams, it’s best to avoid the sweet and stick to a dry or brut wine. Here at Ohza, we have not only mastered but have fallen in love with charcuterie. If you are searching for a way to pair your wine and ham for your charcuterie like a pro, look no further. Here are three of our favorite wines to pair with cured meats for a charcuterie.
1. Prosciutto
Prosciutto is a fan favorite for many reasons, particularly due to its salty flavor and texture. It’s seen as a delicacy used for special occasions. If you’re feeling fancy and want to add prosciutto to your plate, there are some great wines to pair it with.
Our personal favorite to pair with prosciutto is Pinot Grigio. The bright citrus found in this white wine helps balance the saltiness that can be overpowering.
2. Sliced Deli Ham
For basic sliced deli meat, ham is always a solid choice. It’s a great grab-and-go food that pairs well with various cheeses, fruits, and other add ons.
If you are looking to pair your ham charcuterie with a wine that goes down easy, our top pick to go with sliced ham is Rosé.
3. Spam
For an unconventional spin on ham, try out Spam. Spam is a wild card, and you either love it or you hate it.
If it ends up on your plate, it can be hard to know how to pair it, especially when it can be prepared in so many different ways. Spam can be served straight from the can or smoked on the grill. When pairing some classic Spam, we recommend classic Champagne with this wild card of meat.
Ohza: The Unconventional Choice
For your next celebration, consider cracking open a cold can of Ohza to enjoy with your ham of choice. Whether the ham is baked, sliced, or diced, Ohza works with a variety of glazes, flavors, and textures. A can of Ohza is classic, refreshing, and has those satisfying bubbles that make anything feel like a celebration, no matter where you are or who you are with.
The fruity flavors that shine through in a classic can of Ohza bring out the
sweetness in the hams, whether they are glazed, baked, or roasted. For your next celebration, consider a can of Ohza instead of a bottle of wine. Not only is Ohza delicious and affordable, but you can easily share it with a group no matter where you are.
Ham for the Holidays
Whatever you are celebrating, we at Ohza want in on the fun. For many big occasions, ham is the meal of choice. Our favorite way to enjoy this meal is with a glass of wine and some yummy charcuterie add ons. Find out which flavors you want to highlight and explore different options to see what will become your go-to.
Whether you are a white wine lover, stick to your reds, or prefer bubbly above all, wine and ham are a natural pairing. Consider popping a cork and slicing off a piece of your favorite juicy ham for any celebration.
Sources:
10 Brilliant Wines That Pair With Ham for Your Easter Dinner | The Spruce Eats
