ARTICLES | A General Guide to Food and Wine Pairings
A General Guide to Food and Wine Pairings
Posted by Madeline Johnson, October 13, 2010 | 0 Comments
The holiday season is upon us again and that means, lots of food, wine and celebration. If you are the hosting type, you'll likely be planning your upcoming parties and guest lists already and beyond that, your menus. While there are no ironclad rules where food and wine pairings are concerned, there are certainly some simple guidelines that will help make your dinner parties easier and assist in a seamless party season.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a fabulously deep, complex and hearty red that is wonderful with juicy roasts, steak and pork chops.
Pinot Grigio is a rather delicate white making it a lovely choice for light fish dishes and shellfish.
Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with tangy/tart dishes as well as smoked or grilled meats and fish.
Chardonnayhas the wonderful ability to compliment fatty fish, like salmon, as well as roast chicken, lobster and pasta in a rich, lush sauce.
Pinot Noirhas great depth for dishes with earthy flavors such as mushrooms, truffles, root vegetables and also pairs nicely with lamb, beef stews, game meats and roast turkey.
Serve aRiesling orGewürztraminerwith chicken or seafood containing sweet & spicy flavours like chilies and ginger as well as recipes with citrus notes.
A rich and rusticZinfandelis fantastic with pâtés, mousses and terrines.
MalbecandShirazare bold enough to drink with barbecue sauce based meals, spicy dishes, sausages, ham and pork roasts.
When in doubt, think about pairing the wine with its region. For example, if you plan on making a Tuscan inspired dish, a beautiful Italian Chianti would be a natural fit.
And of course, no celebration would be complete without a toast of Sparkling Wine which will conclude any dessert course with utter panache.