There are few things in life as satisfying as pairing the perfect wine with a delicious meal. When done correctly, it can elevate an ordinary dish into something exceptional, but how do you know which wines to pair with which foods, and more importantly, how do you avoid making common mistakes? We’ll walk you through the basics of wine pairing so that you can start impressing your friends and family during parties with your knowledge of wine.
Serve a Wine As Sweet As the Food
One of the most common mistakes people make when pairing wine and food is serving a dry wine with a sweet dish, or vice versa. For example, if you’re serving apple pie, it’s best to serve a sweet white wine like Riesling instead of a dry red like Cabernet Sauvignon. The same principle applies to savory dishes; if you’re serving roast pork, serve a sweet red wine like Port.
This general rule is especially important to remember when pairing wine with dessert. Desserts are often already quite sweet, so it’s essential to choose a wine that will complement the dish’s sweetness instead of competing with it.
Use Only High-Quality Wine
You can only expect a perfect wine-food combination if you have a satisfactory quality of both additions. Since many people struggle with selecting the right wine, it’s vital that you spend a little extra money on quality wine to make sure the pairing is perfect. Choosing an ideal wine for your meal starts with choosing a great winery near me online list from a winery.
Lighter Wine for Lighter Food
If you’re opting for a light dish, choose a wine that is also light. For example, if you have chicken or fish as your main course, select a white wine to drink with it. If you have heavier meat such as beef or pork, try pairing it with a bolder red.
Pay Attention to the Texture of the Dish
When pairing wine with food, you also have to consider the texture of the dish. For example, if you’re eating a creamy soup, you don’t want to drink a dry red wine because it will make the soup taste even more watery. It would be better to drink a white or rose wine in this case.
Think About the Flavors and Spices
You should also think about the flavors in the dish when pairing it with wine. For example, if you have a spicy dish, you’ll want to drink a wine that has some spice to it as well. Choosing a perfectly-spiced wine for your spicy dish can be as easy as pairing the spices in your dish with those in the wine you intend to use. For example, if you have a dish with cumin, try a Zinfandel wine. If your dish has ginger in it, try a Riesling wine.
Start by trying some of the combinations above before you start branching out into your creations. Be daring – you might stumble upon the perfect pairing for your next dinner party.
