best wines to pair with Pancakes - From sweet to savoury

What Wine Goes With Sweet Crêpes?

The Pancake Day original, these inimitable French pancakes are thin, delicate and endlessly versatile. They’re just as at home with Nutella and strawberries as they are cheese and ham. Or perhaps, like me, your Shrove Tuesday isn’t complete without at least one classic lemon and sugar.

Pancake wine pairing: You simply can’t go wrong with Champagne here. The bubbles, subtle sweetness and crisp acidity pair wonderfully with both sweet and savoury crêpes. It particularly shines with those topped with lemon and sugar.

Chocolate topping lovers should be pouring a glass of light but juicy red wine. Low tannins will stop the chocolate from highlighting any bitterness in the wine, while sweet red fruit flavours will help provide balance. Spain’s Garnacha is a great choice.

What Wine Goes With American Pancakes?

American pancakes are thick, fluffy and just the right amount of sweet. Thanks to baking powder, they rise beautifully, making them perfect for stacking high. Slather them with butter, drown them in syrup, toss on some fruit or crispy bacon – whatever makes you happy.

Pancake wine pairing: This year, I’ll be skipping the syrup and instead pouring luscious Pedro Ximénez “PX” Sherry straight over a stack of freshly cooked American pancakes. Treacle, toffee, dates and toasted walnuts – it's all in PX. Think sticky toffee pud in a glass. So it's a natural partner for dessert.

Sherry not for you? A glass of late-harvest Riesling will complement the sweetness of syrup-drenched pancakes without overpowering them.

What Wine Goes With Poffertjes (Netherlands)?

These little Dutch delights have a gorgeously soft, fluffy texture. Cooked in special cast-iron pans with tiny wells, they come out perfectly round and golden. They’re usually dusted with powdered sugar and topped with a generous slab of butter – pure pancake bliss in a bite-sized form.

Pancake wine pairing: A dessert wine is a top pick for the indulgent, buttery, sugary goodness of poffertjes.

Sauternes is a French classic, but I’d reach for Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos – the dazzling intensity of honeyed fruit is expertly balanced with remarkable freshness making it the perfect end to an indulgent Pancake Day feast.

What Wine Goes With Savoury Crêpes/Galettes?

French galettes are the savoury counterpart to crêpes, made with buckwheat flour for a nutty, earthy flavour. Traditionally from Brittany, they’re most often filled with ham, cheese and eggs but can hold anything from mushrooms to smoked salmon.

Pancake wine pairing: Chablis would be an excellent white wine pairing for your galette. The crisp acidity and mineral notes match the nutty buckwheat and rich, savoury fillings.

For those looking for a red wine to accompany their savoury pancake, a light red that’s low in tannin is the way to go. My choice would be a super mellow Merlot with plenty of sweet fruit flavour. An ideal partner to the savoury flavours of a salty blue cheese and mushroom galette.

What Wine Goes With Chinese Duck Pancakes?

These thin, soft pancakes are made from just flour and water, rolled out and lightly pan-fried until warm and pliable. But, most commonly, you’d buy them or receive them as part of your takeaway order. They’re the essential partner to Peking duck – used to wrap slices of crispy duck, spring onions, cucumber and a generous drizzle of hoisin sauce.

Pancake wine pairing: Duck demands a smooth red wine, with plenty of bright fruit to cut through the richness.

Enter Pinot Noir. A smooth and slightly spicy Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with the richness of duck and the sweetness of hoisin sauce.

What Wine Goes With Dosa (India)?

Crispy, golden and packed with flavour, dosa is a South Indian staple pancake. Made from a fermented rice and lentil batter, it’s light yet satisfying. Often served with spiced potatoes (masala dosa) and accompanied by coconut chutney and sambar.

Pancake wine pairing: A dry, aromatic Riesling will work well with the spiced potatoes and tangy chutneys, balancing the dish’s complexity.

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