What wine to drink with spring rolls or egg rolls?

What Wine to Drink with Spring Rolls or Egg Rolls?

Egg rolls typically consist of meat (pork, chicken), shrimp, vegetables, and rice vermicelli, all wrapped in a thin rice paper and fried. Spring rolls, on the other hand, have a similar filling but are wrapped in non-fried rice paper, making them lighter and more refreshing.

The choice of wine will primarily depend on the filling and accompanying sauce. Egg rolls, often served with a nuoc-mâm sauce, are generally richer than spring rolls. Therefore, a dry and aromatic white wine is recommended to balance the richness of egg rolls. Alsace white wines, particularly those made from fruity and floral varieties like Riesling or Gewurztraminer, are particularly suitable.

Spring rolls, however, can be paired with various sauces, such as hoisin, soy sauce, or peanut sauce. For these dishes, a dry and crisp white wine, like those from the Loire Valley or Provence, is an excellent choice. Their freshness and citrus aromas pair wonderfully with the flavors of spring rolls.

Which white wine should you drink with spring rolls or fried nems?

For more classic pairings, white wine remains the best choice. You should aim for freshness and liveliness to balance the textures and the spices of Asian cuisine. Muscadet AOC or Sancerre AOC wines are perfect, as are white wines from Provence or IGP Côtes de Gascogne. These light and aromatic wines pair beautifully with the non-fried rice paper wrapper and the raw vegetables inside. The wine’s freshness enhances the filling while maintaining balance in the flavors.

For fried nems, which are richer and more flavorful, a rounder and more aromatic white wine is preferable. A dry or semi-dry Gewurztraminer, with notes of rose, lychee, and spices, perfectly complements the contrast between the crispy exterior and the tender filling. You can also opt for a slightly sweet wine, which will soften the intensity of an Asian barbecue sauce or a spicy nuoc-mâm dip.

Which red or rosé wine should you drink with spring rolls or nems?

Although white wine is most often recommended, certain light red or rosé wines can also pair elegantly with nems or spring rolls. The key is to choose a fresh red, low in tannins, with aromas of red fruits. A Saint-Mont AOC rosé or a light red from the Loire Valley, served slightly chilled, will create a beautiful balance between the richness of the pork filling and the freshness of the raw vegetables.

The Guide to the Best Wine Pairings with Spring Rolls and Egg Rolls

• For traditional pork egg rolls, choose a dry and aromatic white wine from Alsace, such as AOC Alsace Riesling or AOC Alsace Gewurztraminer. Their freshness and notes of exotic fruits and flowers will add a touch of lightness and balance to the pairing.

• If you prefer shrimp egg rolls, a bottle of white wine from an AOC Muscadet domain in the Loire will be ideal. This dry and mineral white wine, with citrus and white flower aromas, will highlight the delicate flavor of the shrimp while adding a bit of "zing" to the pairing.

• To accompany vegetable and shrimp spring rolls, a bottle from an AOC Sancerre or AOC Pouilly-Fumé domain will be perfect. These Loire Valley white wines made from Sauvignon Blanc will enhance the delicate flavors of the vegetables and shrimp. Both lively and fruity, they will bring a welcome freshness to the dish.

• Spring rolls with chicken also pair wonderfully with a rosé from Provence, such as AOC Côtes de Provence rosé. This type of rosé, with its fruity, floral, and mineral notes, will highlight the subtlety of the chicken meat and add a unique touch to your wine pairing.

Bonus: our homemade spring roll recipe

Light, fresh, and full of texture, spring rolls are the perfect dish to pair with a crisp, fruity white wine. Here’s our simple and colorful homemade version.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 8 rice paper sheets
• 100 g rice vermicelli
• 12 peeled shrimp tails
• 1 cucumber, cut into sticks
• 2 grated carrots
• A few coriander and mint leaves
• 4 lettuce leaves
• 3 tbsp rice vinegar
• 3 tbsp fish sauce (Nuoc Mâm)
• 1 tbsp sugar and a dash of lemon juice

Preparation

• Soak the rice vermicelli in hot water for five minutes, then drain.
• Dip a rice paper sheet in warm water until it becomes soft.
• Place a little vermicelli, a few shrimp tails, cucumber sticks, grated carrot, lettuce, and fresh herbs on top.
• Fold in the sides, roll tightly, and chill before serving.
• Serve with a dipping sauce made of rice vinegar, sugar, and Nuoc Mâm, or with a peanut sauce.

Bonus: our gourmet homemade nems recipe

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, nems are perfect for a convivial dinner.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 12 rice paper sheets
• 250 g ground pork
• 6 peeled shrimp tails
• 100 g Label Rouge raw foie gras (for a French gourmet touch)
• 60 g rice vermicelli
• 1 grated carrot
• 1 finely chopped onion
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp Nuoc Mâm
• Frying oil

Preparation

1. Soak the rice vermicelli, then mix them with the pork, shrimp, onion, carrot, and Nuoc Mâm.
2. Add an egg to bind the mixture.
3. Dip a rice paper sheet in warm water, place a spoonful of filling in the center.
4. Roll tightly and let dry for a few minutes.
5. Fry in hot oil until golden brown.
6. Serve hot with a nuoc-mâm dipping sauce or a sweet-and-sour sauce made with rice vinegar.

A round white wine, such as a dry Gewurztraminer, pairs perfectly with the crispy texture and the sweetness of the pork and foie gras.

And for a presentation worthy of an Asian restaurant?

Pay attention to presentation to enhance the dining experience. Arrange your nems and spring rolls on Asian-style tableware, with small sets of bowls for the sauces. Add smooth wooden chopsticks and a few bamboo shoots for a zen decorative touch. Large bowls, soup bowls, or ceramic ramen bowls are also ideal for serving sauces or fragrant rice. These accessories elevate the tasting experience, recalling the art of Asian table setting while showcasing your food and wine pairings.

You’re now ready to choose the perfect wine to accompany your egg rolls and spring rolls. At Avenue des Vins, we offer a wide selection of white wines, rosés, reds, Champagne, and Crémant directly from the château or domain of your choice. We have the ideal wine to complement your egg rolls, spring rolls, or any other recipe you choose. Enjoy our top-quality cuvées with the best value for money delivered straight to your home.

FAQ - Wine and spring rolls

Which wine goes with fried pork egg rolls?

An aromatic Alsace white works well, such as a dry Gewurztraminer or a Riesling. Its roundness and exotic fruit notes answer the richness of the frying and the pork filling.

Should I pick a dry or off-dry white with egg rolls?

It depends on the sauce. A crisp dry white suits milder versions, while a slightly sweet white tempers the heat of a punchy nuoc-mam or an Asian barbecue sauce.

Can you drink red wine with spring rolls?

Yes, provided you choose a light, low-tannin red with red-fruit aromas, served chilled. A Saint-Mont or a Loire red balances the filling and the raw vegetables nicely.

What wine pairs with shrimp spring rolls?

A Loire white made from Sauvignon Blanc, such as Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé, highlights the delicacy of the shrimp. Its liveliness and citrus notes also suit the crunchy vegetables.

At what temperature should you serve white wine with these Asian dishes?

A crisp dry white is best served cool, around 8 to 10 °C, to keep its freshness. A rounder white benefits from a slightly warmer 10 to 12 °C, which lets its aromas open up.