Brown Sugar & Honey Glazed Ham With Wine Pairings

If you’re looking for wine pairings with ham, you’ve come to the right place!

You might be wondering whether you should pair red or white wine with ham. The answer? It depends on the type of ham you’re having.

Ham can be prepared in many ways. You can smoke it, age it, cure it, glaze it, honey bake it…I could go on, but you get the point.

When choosing the best wine to pair with your ham, you want to make sure it works with the style of the ham. Read on to find out which wines go best with all the different types of ham.

Want a great ham recipe? I’ve got that for you too. Keep scrolling for this brown sugar and honey-glazed ham that’s perfect for a holiday meal like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter dinner. Or if you love ham as much as I do, you can make it for a regular old Sunday ham dinner!

Glazed Ham Wine Pairing

For you sweet and salty fans looking for glazed or honey-baked ham wine pairings, you’ll want something fruit-forward and even a little sweet.

Sweet flavor in food makes wine taste less fruity and more bitter. So that’s why a sweet wine, or one that’s at least sweeter than the food, is a good choice.

You could for sure go with an off-dry Riesling here. But another great option is Gewurztraminer. It may be a mouthful to say, but your mouth will thank you once you taste it. Grab a bottle from Alsace and inhale aromas of lychees, roses, and baking spices.

If your heart is set on red wine, I’d go with an Australian Shiraz. The warm climate makes these wines incredibly fruit-forward. Look for one from Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale.

Smoked Ham Wine Pairing

If you’re looking for black forest ham or baked ham wine pairings, a fruity red wine is the best bet here. It will compliment the juicy, smoky flavors.

There are tons of great wine options to choose from. How about a jammy red Zinfandel wine from California in the United States? Or a Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain?

You could also opt for rosé wines from a place like Tavel, France. This full-bodied wine has enough flavor intensity and complexity to hold its own with the smoky, salty ham.

And when it comes to the holidays, you gotta love those leftover ham sandwiches. Looking for a wine pairing with a ham and cheese sandwich? A Beaujolais, made from the Gamay grape, would be a good pairing. You’ll find light, perfumed versions with fruity flavors from the villages of Fleurie or Brouilly.

Cured Ham Wine Pairing

What holiday would be complete without some charcuterie or antipasto? I love a good spread of dry-cured ham like prosciutto (aka parma ham), serrano ham, or Iberico ham with all the fixings.

These salty, fatty meats are a perfect match with Cava, Spain’s sparkling wine. It’s produced using the same method as Champagne, so you’ll get some of those bready flavors but less of the nutty ones. A white or rosé version would be a great choice to pair with the saltiness of the ham.

If you’re feeling adventurous, how about a Fino Sherry? This fortified dry wine also hails from Spain and has aromas of citrus, almonds, and herbs. Add some manchego cheese and you’re good to go!

Wine Pairings with Ham and Turkey

If you’re like my big Irish family who goes all out for the holidays, you may need a Thanksgiving wine pairing with ham and turkey. Plus, you have to think about what will work with all those tasty sides.

A Chateauneuf-du-Pape from France’s Southern Rhone would be an excellent choice. This is also known as a GSM blend (Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre). Ones that are predominantly Grenache are soft and fruity.

But if in doubt, go with any kind of bubbly. The carbonation will act as a palate cleanser to reset your taste buds after each bite.

One Wine to Rule Them All

Well, “rule” might be a bit extreme (this is what happens when you binge-watch The Rings of Power all weekend).

But, if I had to pick just one wine that works with pretty much any style of ham, it would be Riesling. The high acidity and versatility of this aromatic white make it one of the most food-friendly wines. And it’s a perfect pairing with pretty much any salty, spicy, or sweet ham.

Dry Rieslings from Germany (look for “Trocken” on the bottle) or Alsace, go great with smoked or cured ham. Off-dry versions (“Halbtrocken” or “Feinherb” in German) pair well with a sweet glaze, a fruit glaze, or the heat from a spicy ham.

Brown Sugar & Honey-Glazed Ham Recipe Equipment

For this recipe, you’ll need the following equipment:

• Sharp chef’s knife
• Roasting pan
• Meat thermometer
• Small saucepan
• Carving set
• Large cutting board
• Serving platter