7 TIPS ON HOW TO PAIR YOUR WINE WITH FOOD
Wine has been appreciated for thousands of years. It is more than simply a delicious beverage; it is also connected with a wide range of emotions and recollections. A good bottle of wine has the ability to bring people together and produce memories that will last a lifetime. After a hard day's work, having a glass of wine might help you relax, or perhaps a bottle of wine with your loved one while dining adds to the romance. Wine is also known for its amazing flavour, so it should come as no surprise that pairing them with different foods is a great way to provide another layer of enjoyment. So if you're not sure where to begin, here are some perfect tips on how to pair your wines with food.
1. Stick with lighter wines when pairing wine and seafood
Generally speaking, the light and subtle flavours of seafood pair well with lighter wines. Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling are all great choices when it comes to pairing wine with seafood dishes. However, there are no hard and fast rules in regards to what specific type of wine works best for pairing with seafood. However, if you'd like to know what the best, most popular pairs are, you might consider a pairing of Pinot Grigio and Salmon or a Riesling with a White Fish Fillet.
2. Darker wines pair better with red meat
The key here is to closely match the weight of both components. This is where it starts to get a little tricky. For instance, red meats such as rare steaks or lamb chops pair well with full-bodied wines. However, you should avoid pairing lighter reds with these dishes as they will taste weak and washed out when placed next to strong flavours found in the meat. It's also important not to overindulge in red wine as it can also "taste up" the dish.
3. Sparkling wines pair perfectly with fish and pasta dishes
Sparkling wines are great for those who want to have a festive, energized drink that pairs particularly well with fish as well as low-calorie meals such as pasta dishes. Cava, prosecco, and champagne are some of the most popular sparkling wines on the market. These beverages complement meals like garlic prawns, salmon, and fettuccini pasta. These may also be good choices for people wanting to match sparkling wine with traditional Thanksgiving turkey.
4. Dessert wines pair well with chocolate and fruits
A glass of sweet dessert wine such as Port is a great way to round off your meal and give your taste buds that final burst of pleasure. Sweet reds pair perfectly with chocolate, while sweet white wines pair nicely with fruits, particularly strawberries. If you're a fan of pairing your wine with chocolate, be sure to avoid rich chocolate truffle and go for something lighter such as a cherry chocolate cake or a raspberry tart instead.
5. Vino Nobile pairs well with dishes that have rich ingredients
Vino Nobile is a type of Italian wine that has a full-bodied taste as well as high acidity and alcohol content. It's also known for its color which ranges from bright red to dark purple. This type of wine works well with dishes such as lasagna, veal and beef that have rich ingredients. Also keep in mind that Vino Nobile will go well with dishes such as beef Wellington, roast turkey, and roast pork.
6. Port wine pairs perfectly with desserts
Port wine is a type of fortified red or white wine that originates from Portugal but can also be found around the world. This type of beverage also has high alcohol content yet it tastes incredibly smooth. There are over thirty types of Port wines to choose from so finding the right one should not be too difficult. However, if you are having trouble finding your favorite type, Muscatel or Ruby Ports tend to come highly recommended while pairing with desserts such as fruit cake, pecan pie, and dark chocolate cakes.
7. Pair dry wines with spicy foods
When pairing wines with food, it's important to pair dry wines with spicy dishes because they will be able to cut through some of the intense flavors’. Also, despite their intense tastes, dry wines have relatively low alcohol content. However, you need to be careful with this pairing as dry reds can sometimes add bitterness to your dish which will up the spiciness factor. Many fast food chain restaurants serve their dishes with dry wine to help mellow out the heat.
Wine is a drink that has been enjoyed for centuries and with such a long history it stands to reason that there are many different ways of pairing wine with food, but if you're struggling to know where to begin, here are some perfect tips on how to pair your wines with food. White wines go well with seafood, dark wines with red meat, sparkling wines with fish and pasta dishes, dessert wines with chocolate and fruits. Port wine pairs perfectly with desserts, Vino Nobile pairs well with dishes that have rich ingredients and dry wines go well with spicy foods. In conclusion, there are many ways of matching wine and food together. With a little experimentation and practice, you should be able to find the perfect match for your specific palate.