Successful food and wine matching is not brain surgery, but it does require some understanding of chemistry. And while not sexy as a concept, it does pay to understand how the salt, sweet, sour, bitterness and spices (heat) of food compliment or clash with the acid, tannins, fruit flavors, sugar content (sweetness) and a myriad of the chemical components that occur naturally or are induced into the wine making process.
There are thousands of possible food and wine matches and thousands of more variables to those matches and each of you will have your own favorites. The vintage date of a red wine or white wine that is simply too cold ,can and does, make or break even the most classic match so don’t be disappointed if not everything works the first time, or the second. Sometimes mystery is name of the game but you’ll know you’ve solved it when it all comes together.
Food: | Preparation: | Wine Ideas |
---|---|---|
Chicken | Grilled | Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Rosé |
Barbecued | Zinfandel, Beaujolais, Cotes du Rhone | |
Baked | Chardonnay | |
Roast | Merlot, Chianti, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay | |
Fried | Rosé, Beaujolais | |
Stir Fried | Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay | |
Poached | Champagne, White Bordeaux | |
Turkey | Roasted | Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Chardonnay |
Fish | Grilled | Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Sparkling Wine |
Poached | Dry Riesling, Champagne | |
Sautéed | Chenin Blanc, off-dry Riesling, Sparkling Wine | |
Salmon | Poached | Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris |
Grilled | Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Blanc de Noirs Sparkling | |
Scallops | Grilled | Chardonnay, Sancerre |
Lobster | Steamed | Chardonnay, Sparkling wine, Pouilly-fume, Sancerre, Chablis |
Lamb Leg | Roasted | Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel |
Steak | Grilled | Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel |
Pork Loin | Roasted | Chianti, Zinfandel |
Prime Rib | Roasted | Merlot, St. Emilion, Pinot Noir, Burgundy |
Pasta | Red sauce | Chianti, Barolo, Barbera, Zinfandel |
White sauce | Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé | |
Game | Roasted | Syrah, Petite Syrah, Bordeaux |
Duck | Baked | Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Zinfandel |
Hamburger or Meat Loaf | Baked | Young Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Chianti |
Ribs | BBQ | Chardonnay, Riesling |
Mild Cheeses | Chardonnay, Riesling | |
Medium Cheeses | Young Pinot Noir | |
Hearty, Ripe Cheeses | Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Port |