Pairing Wine with Food
Successfully pairing wine with food is a great way to get even more enjoyment out of wine. Here are a few classic pairings that are easily followed next time you visit the store.
Wine is one of the simple pleasures of life, and is enjoyable all by itself. That enjoyment is magnified by the company of good friends, and even more so by a great wine and food pairing. If served with the right food, one can experience a wine/food synergism where 1+1=3! In this article, I’ll dispel some of the myths of wine and food pairings, and offer some great pairing suggestions.
“White wine with fish and red wine with meat” is a good general rule, but if you really love a particular wine with all kinds of food, nobody can tell you that you’re off base. You may, however, miss out on one of the main pleasures of wine—discovering new wines and wine/food combinations.
A great way to think of paring wine and food is that you don’t want the flavor of one to overwhelm the other. If you are choosing a delicate white, like a Chenin Blanc, make sure the paired food has a mild taste. On the other hand, if you want to enjoy a good steak, then a robust red, like a Cabernet Sauvignon, or a red Zinfandel, is a great choice.
You can match similar flavors, like an apple tart with a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, which will typically have nice apple overtones. Or serve a dessert wine, like a Late-harvest Johannesburg Riesling, with a nice plate of fresh fruit and cheese. You could also, however, try a contrast, like spicy food with a cool, crisp Chenin Blanc. Experiment, and make note of what works for you. After all, it is really all about what appeals to you!
Here is a list to take with you next time you go to the store to look for wine, and want to successfully pair that wine with food. These are some very tried and true combinations, which I enjoy every time I have them.
Traditional wine pairings:
Sauvignon Blanc with clams, flaky white fishes
Chenin Blanc with oysters
Slightly sweet Riesling with spicy Asian food
Chardonnay with fish and chicken
Sangiovese (Chianti) with spaghetti with meat sauce
Zinfandel with pizza
Merlot with duck
Pinot Noir with chicken
Cabernet Sauvignon with steak
Sparkling wine with caviar, pate` and smoked salmon
I have experimented at home and worked with many caterers and chefs over the years, I’ve discovered these other foods that work well with wine:
Sparkling wine – lobster, scallops, shrimp
Sauvignon Blanc – slightly spicy grilled shrimp, goat cheese salad
Slightly sweet Chenin Blanc – mild to spicy rice dishes, sushi
Riesling – pork tenderloin
Chardonnay – veal in cream sauce
Sangiovese – hamburger with tomatoes and a touch of olive oil
Zinfandel – pork loin stuffed with your favorite fruit
Merlot – chicken fried steak, roasted duck with cherry sauce
Pinot Noir – grilled salmon, Veal Marsala
A great way to entertain friends is to host an impromptu wine tasting at home. Have your guests bring their favorite wines and appetizers that pair with them. Everyone gets to try new and different wines and learns of different pairing ideas. A few simple pairings that almost everyone will enjoy are:
Sauvignon Blanc with goat cheese
Chardonnay with Danish Havarti
Pinot Noir with Brie
Cabernet Sauvignon with aged Cheddar or Manchego
For a fun and casual dinner, pair the Cabernet Sauvignon with your favorite grilled burgers. And Zinfandel seems to work with all kinds of veggie and meat pizzas! The best wine pairs are those you like; experiment with new and different combinations, or stick with the tried and true- it’s your choice. Above all, have fun, because that is what wine should be about!
