Perfect Pairings: Matching Wine with Mushrooms
We were recently featured at Miel's Dinner and Cooking with Mushroom Class, where Chef Jason LaIacona led an incredible class on the art of cooking with mushrooms. From mushroom canapés and house-made pasta with mushroom ragu to a rich consommé and even a mushroom “crab cake”, attendees discovered just how transformative fungi can be in the kitchen. Featuring locally cultivated mushrooms from HENOSIS, the evening was a true celebration of flavor, texture, and culinary creativity.
And during this unforgettable event, we fell in love with the pairing of Barbaresco Autinbej and mushrooms. 🍷🍄 This beautifully structured Nebbiolo—full of bright acidity, earthy spice, and refined tannins—elevates the deep umami of gourmet mushrooms like Shiitake, Maitake, and Black Pearl. Whether roasted, sautéed, or simmered into a velvety risotto, this pairing creates a harmony of flavors that is both elegant and comforting. You can purchase it at Nashville's Woodland Wine Merchant.
What other Wines Pair Well with Mushrooms?
It shouldn’t be a surprise that mushrooms—nature’s ultimate alchemists, breaking down organic matter to create life—are a beloved ingredient in cuisines across the world. Fungi have a way of unlocking deep, savory flavors, transforming the simplest dishes into something rich and complex. And just like fermentation is at the heart of winemaking, mushrooms are all about transformation—whether in the forest, the kitchen, or on your plate.
At HENOSIS, we embrace mushrooms not just as food but as a way to connect people with nature, health, and one another. With their earthy, umami-packed profiles, mushrooms naturally pair with wine, creating harmony and depth in every sip and bite. Here’s how to match your favorite mushrooms with the perfect pour.
Earthy Elegance
Few ingredients are as deeply connected to the soil as mushrooms. Their terroir-driven flavors make them a natural match for wines that share that same grounded, earthy quality. A glass of Burgundy Pinot Noir from the Côte de Nuits highlights those forest-floor, truffle-like notes that mushrooms bring to a dish. Try pairing it with Lion’s Mane or Shiitake mushrooms, which develop a robust, almost nutty depth when sautéed or roasted.
Peppery Brightness
Some mushrooms, especially when eaten raw or lightly cooked, have a subtle peppery bite—think Pink Oyster mushrooms with their delicate, radish-like spice. Tannic red wines can amplify this bite, sometimes making it unpleasant. Instead, opt for a creamy, aged white wine like Rioja Blanco, which mellows out that peppery quality while adding a touch of nuttiness and caramelized warmth.
Umami Powerhouse
Mushrooms are umami bombs—the “fifth taste” that gives aged cheeses, cured meats, and slow-simmered broths their rich, mouthwatering depth. If you love a wine with layers of complexity, Washington State Syrah is a standout choice. Its ripe black fruit notes, combined with hints of bacon, olive, leather, and game, play beautifully with the umami-packed profile of Chestnut or Maitake mushrooms, especially when grilled or roasted.
Woodsy & Wild
Some mushrooms, like Porcini or Matsutake, carry a whisper of pine, underbrush, and the untamed wilderness. To echo those woodsy, resinous qualities, try pairing them with a Verdelho Madeira. This slightly off-dry, citrus-peel-scented wine complements mushroom-based dishes beautifully and even makes a great cooking wine for risottos, broths, or sauces featuring wild mushrooms.
The Magic is in the Mycelium
Just like wine, mushrooms tell a story of place, season, and connection. Whether you’re cooking up a rustic mushroom ragout, a simple sauté, or a gourmet mushroom dish, pairing the right wine elevates the experience—deepening the flavors, enhancing the textures, and creating something greater than the sum of its parts.
At HENOSIS, we believe in the power of transformation—both in the food we grow and in the connections we build. So, the next time you open a bottle, raise your glass to the humble mushroom and the magic it brings to the table. We love the support we receive from our farm to table clients. Please support Miel and book a reservation!
Staying in for the night and need a mushroom recipe? Check out our recipe catalog and share your creation with us on Instagram.
