Goose Ridge Revelation Chardonnay + Chicken Francese

There’s something special about discovering the perfect pairing right in your own backyard. With this series, I’ll be spotlighting local Washington wines and pairing them with delicious dishes—sometimes home-cooked, sometimes local takeout—but always with a purpose: to help you enjoy great wine with great food, easily and enjoyably.

The Wine: Goose Ridge Revelation Unoaked Chardonnay

From the Revelation label by Goose Ridge Estate Winery, this Chardonnay is bright, crisp, and elegant. The wine’s natural citrus, apple, and mineral notes shine through. It’s refreshing, zesty, and perfect for pairing with food—especially dishes that feature a little lemon or butter.

The Food: Chicken Francese over Rice Pilaf with Lemon Spinach Salad

I made this Chicken Francese recipe from The Food Network, lightly breaded chicken breasts pan-fried and simmered in a lemony white wine butter sauce. It sounds complicated, but it was actually really easy to make and done in about 30 minutes. Instead of pasta, I served it over rice pilaf, and added a side of baby spinach tossed in a lemon vinaigrette for extra brightness.

Why It Works

Unoaked Chardonnay pairs beautifully with citrus-forward dishes like Chicken Francese. The wine’s acidity cuts through the richness of the buttery sauce while the lemon in both the wine and the dish enhance each other. Serving it with rice pilaf keeps things light, while the lemony spinach side echoes the freshness of the wine and brightens the entire plate. It’s a pairing that feels elevated, but easy to fit into a weeknight schedule —and it brings out the best in both the wine and the food.

You can pick up this wine at your local Yokes, or make a fun outing and visit their winery on Dallas Road in Richland, WA.

Whether you’re cooking at home or picking up takeout, pairing local wines like this Chardonnay from Goose Ridge can transform your meal into something memorable. Cheers to keeping it local and delicious!