Viognier & Apricot Glazed Pork Chops Pairing

There’s something undeniably special about a well-matched food and wine pairing, and Idaho Viognier delivers a standout experience. Viognier is a white wine that brings both elegance and personality to the table. When paired with apricot-glazed pork chops, the result is a flavor harmony that’s sweet, savory, and irresistibly balanced. 

Whether you’re cooking for a weekend dinner or planning a seasonal gathering, this Idaho-grown combo is sure to impress.

Idaho Viognier: The Queen of White Wines

Grown primarily in the Snake River Valley region, Idaho Viognier is one of the state's most aromatic and food-friendly white wines. Thanks to the high desert climate, volcanic soils, and wide temperature swings between day and night, Viognier here develops lush fruit characters while retaining natural acidity.

Expect expressive aromas of pears, peaches, and a hint of violet. It’s a white wine that’s as bold as it is elegant. The flavors of tropical fruits and stone fruit with a smooth, rounded finish, make this wine perfect for pairing with dishes that balance sweetness, spice, and savory depth.

Idaho Wineries serving Viognier

• Kindred Vineyards - 2022 Viognier - Enjoy light notes of honeysuckle and pear. 
• Cinder Wines - 2023 Dry Viognier - Enjoy vibrant citrus flavors with aromas of lemon gelato and jasmine.
• Hat Ranch Winery - 2023 Vale Viognier - Enjoy notes of fresh peach, warm spice and minerality. 
• Parma Ridge Winery & Bistro - 2022 Viognier - Enjoy flavors of crisp apple with a Meyer lemon finish. 
• Holesinsky Winery - 2022 Viognier - Enjoy flavors of rich pineapple, mango and papaya followed by lemon meringue. 
• Telaya Wine Co. - 2022 Viognier - Enjoy this delightful food wine with flavors of candied lemons and peaches.
• 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards - 2018 Estate Sweet Viognier - Enjoy the creamy, fruit-forward palate with dried apricot, ripe pear and golden honey.

Pairing Idaho Viognier

Viognier finds its perfect match in apricot-glazed pork chops. The stone fruit and floral notes in the wine mirror the glaze’s sweet apricot preserves, while its acidity cuts through the richness of the pork. A touch of heat from chipotle and cayenne brings out the wine’s more exotic side, and the bed of dressed spinach ties the whole plate together with a fresh, buttery finish.

Ingredients For the Apricot Glaze

• 3/4 cup apricot preserves
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon chipotle chiles in adobo
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Salt to taste
• 3 tablespoons water
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• Pinch garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne

Recipe

1. Begin by brining your pork chops in 1/2 gallon of water, mixed with 1/4 cup of sugar and 1/3 cup of salt. 
2. Heat olive oil in a medium-sized pan over medium-high heat. Once heated, take the pork chops out of the brine, pat dry, and carefully place them in the pan.
3. Flip the pork chops every 30 seconds to evenly cook through. 
4. Once the pork chops nearly reach 135 degrees, remove the pan from heat and set aside.
5. Take 1 tablespoon of butter and baste the chops for about 1 minute to introduce new flavors. Set the pork chops aside for about 5 minutes.
6. While the pork chops rest, mix the ingredients for the glaze and warm them in the pan over low heat.
7. Grab a handful of spinach for each person, and place in the pan with residual butter along with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
8. Do not cook the spinach, just dress until fully covered in the butter and lemon. 
9. Once dressed, place a bed of spinach on each plate. Dunk your pork chops into the glaze for easy coverage, then plate on top of the spinach.
10. Add an extra spoonful of glaze on top of each pork chop along with some basil leaves, and serve.

*Serving Tip: Serve with a well-chilled bottle of Idaho Viognier. If you're hosting, consider doing a Viognier tasting flight with wines from different wineries to explore how the same varietal expresses itself across various microclimates in Idaho.

Love this pairing? Check out other great recipes for your next Idaho wine night:

• Syrah and Gyro Pairing
• Sparkling Wine and Mac and Cheese Pairing