You can absolutely drink red wine with ham! While ham is often paired with white wine, especially when it comes to the popular Honey Baked Ham, there are red wines that can complement this savory and sweet dish quite nicely. In fact, a light to medium-bodied Pinot Noir can be among the best wines to enjoy with Honey Baked Ham.
One of the reasons Pinot Noir is a great choice is because of its red fruit flavors, such as cherry and raspberry. These flavors pair beautifully with the natural sweetness of the ham, enhancing both the wine and the food. The fruity notes of the wine also provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the ham.
Another advantage of Pinot Noir is its smooth and subtle tannins. Tannins are compounds found in grape skins that can contribute to a wine's structure and mouthfeel. In the case of ham, which is often tender and juicy, a wine with softer tannins won't overpower the dish. Instead, it will allow the flavors of the ham to shine through while still providing a pleasant texture and balance.
Personal Experience: I remember attending a holiday dinner where Honey Baked Ham was served, and I decided to bring a bottle of Pinot Noir to share with the group. The combination was a hit! The wine's light body and fruity flavors perfectly complemented the ham's sweetness, creating a delightful pairing that everyone enjoyed. It was a great reminder that you don't always have to follow conventional wine pairing rules to find a winning match.
Of course, personal preference plays a role in wine pairing, so if you're not a fan of Pinot Noir, there are other red wines that can work well with ham too. For example, a fruity and slightly spicy Grenache or a medium-bodied Merlot can also be excellent options. The key is to choose a red wine that is not too heavy or high in tannins, as these characteristics can overwhelm the flavors of the ham.
While white wine may be the traditional choice for ham, red wine can also be enjoyed with this versatile dish. A light to medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir can complement the sweetness of Honey Baked Ham with its red fruit flavors and smooth tannins. However, personal preference should always guide your wine selection, so don't be afraid to experiment and find the perfect red wine to accompany your ham. Cheers!