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When it comes to wine, one of the most commonly asked questions is “what food does this wine go with?” It can be tricky to pair wine with food – some combinations work really well together, while others just don’t seem to make sense.
So what makes a good wine and food pairing? In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the basics of wine and food pairings and explore why some combinations work better than others.
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How to Pair Wine With Food
For foodies and even casual wine drinkers, combining a lovely glass of wine with a delectable meal may be the combination that sends their taste buds into orbit.
But how do you go about it? It’s also worth noting that choosing a wine based on its price range isn’t the worst method to go about it. In your search, you should be able to locate at least one or two good-value wines that are worth a shot.
There are some broad guidelines, and there are also more nuanced ones. Let’s start with some fundamentals:
Balance it Out
In general, you want the wine and food to be in harmony with each other. That doesn’t mean that one should completely overshadow the other—if anything, a wine that’s too dominant can make a meal seem flat.
A wine that’s too delicate will get lost amid heartier fare. You’re looking for something that will stand up to the dish without being too forceful.
Pair Wine with the Main Flavor
It’s critical that you choose a wine that you’ll enjoy drinking with your meal. If you don’t usually drink white wines, you won’t enjoy one with your supper. Stick to what you like and expand from there.
Flavor Profiles To Consider When Pairing Wine
When it comes to wine and food pairings, you want to find wines that will enhance the flavors of your meal. The main flavors you’ll want to take into consideration are sweetness, acidity, tannin, and alcohol. You can use these flavor profiles to help you choose a wine that will bring out the best in your meal.
Congruent
A congruent combination is one in which two similar tastes are linked, allowing them to complement and balance each other—as in Chardonnay and creamy mac and cheese.
Contrasting
A contrasting pairing is one in which one flavor cuts through the richness of the other and balances it out. For a creamy, rich experience, mac and cheese goes great with Chardonnay, but Pinot Grigio would also be amazing with it.
Examples of wine and food pairings
So, what are some of the key characteristics of a good wine pairing? Consider this your cheat sheet or wine pairing guide. It’s difficult to remember what goes with which, especially because there are so many different types of wines out there—so here are some tried-and-true pairings:
Chardonnay + Fish
Salmon is a wonderful fish to have with Chardonnay. A dry, medium-bodied Chardonnay compliments light meats such as fish and shellfish in flavorful sauces.
Cabernet + Red Meat
As previously said, a full-flavored wine requires a full-flavored cuisine. That’s why Cabernet and red meat are such a great match.
Pinot Noir + Earthy Flavors
A deep Pinot Noir is great with complex, earthy flavors like wood-fired pizzas or mushroom dishes.
Pinot Grigio + Seafood
Because of their light, delicate tastes, Pinot Grigio and light seafood dishes suit well together.
Sauvignon Blanc + Tart Flavors
A zesty tart dressing or sauce, such as aioli, may be used to complement a piquant Sauvignon Blanc.
Rosé + Cheesy Dishes
Rosé is the best choice for cheese because it has the acidity of white wine while also preserving the red fruit qualities.
Sparkling + Salty Flavors
Sparkling wine is crisp and dry, with a bright overall flavor profile. Sweet flavors are typical in sparkling wines, making them ideal for combining salty foods.
Riesling + Sweet Spicy Flavors
Many Rieslings are lightly sweet and can help balance spicy meals while still complementing sugar.
Syrah + Spiced Dishes
Choose Syrah if you’re preparing a dish with a lot of spice.
Zinfandel + Rich Plates
Zinfandel goes well with richer dishes like pâtés, mousses, and terrines.
Pairing food and wine
Red wines should be paired with red meats and hearty, filling foods. White wines are best with milder tastes, making them ideal for fish and poultry. But no matter what wine your food demand, always pick something you enjoy!
