Red wine with steak, white wine with fish, rosé as an aperitif… sound familiar? Maybe it’s time we moved on from those tired old food and wine pairings.
Today, we’re flipping the script with a challenge we hear often as winemakers in the Rhône Valley: can red wine really pair well with vegetarian food?
The answer is a resounding yes, especially when it comes to the red wines we craft at Xavier Vignon. And we can tell you this much : it’s not just doable, it’s seriously delicious! Forget the old clichés: our Rhône Valley red wines are fresh, refined, and elegant. In short, they’re made to shine alongside all kinds of dishes — not just red meat.
So, are you ready to ditch the usual pairings and treat your palate to something unexpected?
Rhône Valley red wines: where power meets precision
Southern reds often get a bad rap. They’re considered too big, too ripe, or too heavy on the palate. And sure, those wines exist, but they’re far from the whole story, especially here at Xavier Vignon.
Our Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre grapes grow on sandy and clay-limestone soils that bring natural freshness to the blends. Add to that high-altitude vineyards, gentle vinification methods, and meticulous blending of grape varieties and terroirs …and you get balance, energy, and beautifully flavors of fruit.
The result? Reds with depth and structure, yes, but also real finesse. And that’s exactly what you want when pairing with vibrant vegetarian dishes. Wines that lift the flavors of vegetables, herbs, and spices… while never overpowering them.
So… what red wine pairs best with vegetarian dishes?
There are plenty of great pairings out there between your favorite veggie dishes and a good bottle of red , no matter the price point. But here are a few we especially love:
A summer vegetable tian with our Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes Bio 2020
The tian is a southern French classic, a sun-soaked medley of slow-roasted vegetables, olive oil, and fragrant herbs. Simple, delicate, and deeply flavorful, it calls for a wine that knows how to stay in the background while still enhancing every bite. Our Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes Bio 2020 fits the bill perfectly. A blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre, and 10% Cinsault and Syrah, it comes from old clay-limestone parcels in the southern Rhône, where ripeness and freshness go hand in hand. Gentle vinification, no aggressive extraction, and ageing in concrete tanks preserve its natural brightness. The result is a smooth, supple texture with notes of ripe red fruit and just a hint of spice. A certified organic wine that pairs beautifully with the softness of roasted vegetables and the lift of fresh herbs.
Stuffed tomatoes with quinoa and tofu, paired with our SM3
Vegetarian stuffed tomatoes tend to have a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture and bold, comforting flavors. They call for a wine with enough structure to match that depth, without overwhelming the dish. That’s where our SM3 comes in. A unique blend of Syrah from the Northern Rhône and Grenache from the South, it brings together the mineral-driven tension of the North with the sun-kissed generosity of the South. Expect layers of black fruit, cassis, dark chocolate, and a subtle peppery finish. Hand-harvested, then aged in concrete tanks (for the Grenache) and oak (for the Syrah), SM3 strikes a perfect balance between power and finesse, depth and freshness. It’s an ideal match for a hearty vegetarian dish like quinoa-stuffed tomatoes.
A zucchini flan with our Côtes du Rhône 2020
Zucchini flan is all about subtlety/ It has a silky texture, gentle aromas, a hint of herbs, and a soft, rounded finish. It calls for a red wine that knows how to stay graceful and in balance, while never overpowering the plate. Our Côtes du Rhône 2020 is a natural fit for this dish. Made primarily from Grenache (85%), with a touch of Syrah and Mourvèdre, it comes from over 250 small plots across some of the finest terroirs in the southern Rhône Valley. The vinification is gentle, fermentation is kept moderate to highlight the wine’s aromatic profile, and ageing is brief, split between concrete and large oak vats to preserve its bright, pure, and fruity aromas. The result is a supple, juicy red with notes of red berries and Mediterranean herbs. The perfect partner for a delicate dish like zucchini flan.
Tomato and mustard tart with our Rasteau
A well-made tomato and mustard tart packs a punch: bright acidity, bold mustard, and the comforting richness of flaky pastry. It needs a wine with both depth and energy to hold its own against the sharpness and heat of the dish. Our Rasteauis a perfect match. Made from 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, it offers generous black fruit flavors, a hint of floral notes, and a subtle peppery bitterness on the finish that pairs beautifully with the mustard and the buttery crust. A wine with real character for a dish that doesn’t hold back.
Herb-roasted vegetable gratin with our 1Côtes du Rhône 100%
With a roasted vegetable gratin layered with fresh herbs, you want a wine that’s generous but not overwhelming. Something that can match the caramelized edges of the vegetables without overpowering the whole plate. Our Côtes du Rhône 100% is spot on. A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault, it’s crafted with precision to ensure perfectly ripe tannins. Ten percent reserve wine is added for extra softness and roundness, giving it depth without heaviness. You’ll find ripe black fruit notes, delicate herbal flavors and a long, lightly toasted finish: everything you need to elevate a warm, sun-drenched dish like this one.
Dare to taste different
At the end of the day, you don’t need a steak on your plate to open a great bottle of red. What really matters is finding balance between textures, aromas, and the intensity of the dish and the nature of the wine. With well-crafted red wines shaped by exceptional terroirs and precise winemaking, vegetarian pairings can be just as exciting and rewarding as the classics.
Because in the end, there’s only one thing that truly matters when it comes to food and wine: enjoying it.
So explore, experiment, surprise your guests, and above all, trust your taste!
Cheers
