Wine and Food Pairing
For most of our history, wine has been an accompaniment to meals.
Winemaking and culinary traditions have often evolved together, creating natural pairings between local wine and local cuisine.
Wine and food pairing is the process of pairing food and wine to enhance the dining experience.
Red Wines
Red wines pair best with meat:
- Light red wines pair best with light meat
- Bold red wines pair best with bold meat
White Wines
White wines pair best with light food, fish and seafood:
- Acidic white wines pair best with acidic food
- Malolactic white wines pair best with creamy food
Food and Wine Chemistry
The main concept behind wine and food pairing, is that some elements in food and wine interact with each other. Finding the right combination of these elements, can make the entire dining experience more enjoyable.
- The wine should have the same intensity as the food
- The wine should be more acidic than the food
- The wine should be sweeter than the food
- The wine should be paired with the sauce (not the meat)
The right wine can enhance a dish to perfection
With Sweet Food
The wine tastes dry, bitter and acidic.
The wine tastes less sweet and fruity.
Choose a sweeter wine.
With Umami Food
The wine tastes dry and acidic.
The wine tastes less sweet and fruity.
Choose a fruity red or a mineral white.
With Salty food
The wine tastes fruity and bodied.
The wine tastes less dry and acidic.
Choose an acidic white wine.
With Acidic Food
The wine tastes sweet and fruity.
The wine tastes less dry and acidic.
Choose a wine with more acidity.
With Oily Food
The wine tastes less acidic.
Choose a more acidic wine.
With Spicy Food
The wine tastes hot and alcoholic.
Choose an off-dry wine.
Savory Food
The food is Savory
The wine can be overwhelmed.
Choose a bolder wine.
World Famous Pairs
| Wine | Food |
|---|---|
| Albariño | Shellfish |
| Barbera | Lasagna |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | Roast Lamb |
| Cava | Spanish Tapas |
| Champagne | Almost Everything |
| Chablis (Unoaked) | Oysters |
| Chardonnay (Oaked) | Lobster |
| Chianti | Spaghetti Bolognese |
| Barolo | Entrecôte (Rib Eye Steak) |
| Beaujolais | Roast Chicken |
| Gewürztraminer | Indian Curry |
| Malbec | Grilled Steak |
| Moscato d'Asti | Spicy Mexican |
| Pinot Grigio | Grilled White Fish |
| Pinot Noir | Rich Duck |
| Port | Stilton |
| Prosecco | Prosciutto and Melon |
| Riesling (Dry) | Sushi |
| Riesling (Late Harvest) | Apple Pie |
| Sancerre | Roquefort |
| Sangiovese | Tomato based Pizza |
| Sauternes | Crème Brûlée |
| Soave | Sasta Cabonara |
| Syrah | Spicy Lamb |
| Tempranillo | Lamb Chops |
| Zinfandel | Barbecue Ribs |