With thousands of wine varietals and endless food dishes, pairing wine and food can become complicated and overwhelming when you get down to the science of it all. But you have to start somewhere! This post I’m sharing with you the very basics of wine pairing. Here are some helpful rules and tips to follow when picking out what wine you would like to enjoy with your food!
A few simple rules to follow:
The most basic rule to remember: white wine with white meat, red wine with red meat
The wine should be the same intensity as the food (ex. white wine = light intensity, pair with light intensity food = fish or white meat)
Know the main components of wine
Red Wine = bitterness
White, Sparkling or Rose = Acid
Sweet Wine = sweetness
Pair your wine with the dominant flavor of the dish, which is usually the sauce.
Below is a basic list of pairing the most common wines in order from lightest to heaviest.
Sparkling ~ champagne, Cava, Prosecco
Pair with light and salty foods
White fish, eggs, fruit
Cheese: brie, beaufort, colby
Dry White ~ Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc
Pair with light, tangy, high acidity foods
White meat or fish, oysters, salad with vinegar/lemon,
Cheese: goat, gouda, asiago, gruyere
Rich White ~ Chardonnay, Viognier, Roussanne
Pair with more fatty and creamy foods
Bolder white fish or meat, creamy sauce, pasta
Cheese: asiago, havarti
Sweet White ~ Riesling, Moscato, Gewurztraminer
Pair with spicy and / or sweet foods
Spicy food and fruity / light dessert
Cheese: brie, colby, blue, gouda
Light Red ~ Pinot Noir, Gamay
Pair with light and earthy foods
Light white or red meats, truffles
Cheese: gouda, feta, swiss
Medium Red ~ Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, Merlot
Pair with rich and savory foods
Red meat, potatoes, dark chocolate
Cheese: gorgonzola, blue, camembert
Bold Red ~ Syrah, Malbec, Zinfandel
Pair with bold and fatty foods
Lamb, dark chocolate
Cheese: cheddar, blue, feta, sheep
Dessert Wine ~ Sherry, Port
Pair with rich and sweet foods
White chocolate, desserts
Also, there are a few types of wines that can kind of go with anything. These wines are very flexible with pairing, so have fun with your combinations!
Red “go with anything” wines: Pinot noir, italian reds such a Chianti
White “go with anything” wines: Riesling, Albarino, Gruner, unoaked Chardonnay
Once you’ve tried out and become familiar with these basics, try to be adventurous in your dishes you create and the wine you select! As long as you remember the basic rules, you are sure to discover some amazing combos. Remember, there are no right or wrong pairings, it is all up to your personal preference. Happy Sipping!