Tips for Mastering the Art of Wine and Food Pairings
Belotti
When it comes to food and wine pairings, there are some who hastily match any dish with any drink and then there are those who maintain the balance between the flavors of the food with the perfect wine.
You need to keep this thing in mind that pairing is a funny thing. Because every dish will have more than just one component and you can pair them according to your choice and taste. These choices may include herbs or spices, a side dish of veggies, etc. There are many things that you can consider when pairing a dish, but at last, you have to choose which part of the dish you want to highlight and then match the wine to that element.
Here are some guidelines on how to pair your favorite wines with food:
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a light and crisp white wine, which is known for its high level of acidity and the signature citrus note. This wine is perfect to pair with dishes that are lighter but full of flavors. Here are some dishes that go extremely well with Sauvignon Blanc:
- Desserts: Sorbet, Key Lime Pie, Meringue, Mango
- Cheese Or Nuts: Goat Cheese, Pine Nuts
- Meat: Chicken, Turkey, Pork
- Seafood: Fish, Oysters, Scallops, Lobster, Shrimp
- Fruits & Veggies: Citrus, Green Apple, Asparagus
- Herbs & Spices: Chives, Tarragon, Cilantro
Chardonnay
Chardonnay can be made into many styles. Whether you’re drinking a full-bodied, California-style Chardonnay with a lot of oak and butter presence, or one that is lighter on the oak, make sure you keep all the following in mind:
The best thing about Chardonnay is that it is a decadent wine with a sensual body, so it stands up for the dishes and flavors where other white wines might fall flat. In spite of its body, it has great acidity, which makes it perfect for pairing with cream-rich dishes.
- Desserts: Banana Bread, Vanilla Pudding
- Sauces: Cream Sauces, Pesto
- Meat: Veal, Chicken, Pork
- Seafood: Shrimp, Crab, Lobster
- Fruits & Veggies: Potato, Apple, Squash, Mango
- Herbs & Spices: Tarragon, Sesame, Basil
• Syrah
This is one of the World’s most popular wine and hard to pinpoint. It is made throughout the entire world and in many, many different styles. Overall, it’s a wine that frequently shows pepper on the finish. It tastes great with herbs and has enough fruit to balance a bit of spice too.
- Desserts: Black Forest Cake, Rhubarb Pie, Coffee-Based Desserts
- Meat: Pepperoni, Spicy Sausage
- Seafood: Tuna, Salmon
- Fruits & Veggies: Currants, Stewed Tomatoes, Beets
- Herbs & Spices: Oregano, Sage
- Sauces: BBQ, Heavy Red Sauces
Note: Try to avoid lighter dishes when drinking Syrah.
What’s your favorite food-wine pairing tip? Share yours with us and let us know if you tried the ones above and how they turned out for you!