A dinner is more enjoyable if a great wine is paired with it. However, complication begins when you browse through the wine menus and you realized you had no idea on what wine goes best with your steak, or which one you should drink after a fruity goodness of dessert.
The most common knowledge is to have white wine with chicken, fish, and other white meats while a glass of red wine greatly complements veal dishes or lamb. Yes, this really works! But did you know that not all red wines are for red meat dishes alone?
Typically, there is a wine for every kind of food. But the best way to go is to trust your very own sense of taste. We all have different palates and there is no one rule that is true to all when it comes to what goes best with a certain wine variety. However, the diverse character of each and every single wine should tell what kind of food complements it.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordaeux, and Petit Sirah
For instance, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, and Petit Sirah are varietal wines which are a combination of a dominant grape and one with a lesser distinct flavour, go well with heavy red meat dishes like beef, lamb, and strong-flavoured cheeses. Its full and strong tannins balance the cheese and meat’s greasiness.
Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc
The sweet, fruity, and sour taste of Chardonnay perfectly blends well with poultry dishes and cheese. You can also pair it with oysters and other seafood.
Chenin Blanc, a sparkling white wine greatly complements fish and chicken. Normally, most fish recipes are being served with white wine. However, there are still exceptions to the rule because of variations in the preparation of fish dishes.
Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Grigio
These wines are perfect with pasta dishes. If you are serving steak, Pinot Noir is the best choice, too. It is also great with fowl. Merlot, on the other hand, brings out the best in chocolates.
To summarize, a good glass of wine is supposed to enhance a dish or meal served with it. It is never intended to overpower or overwhelm but to highlight, contrast, and complement its strengths and flavours.
Cheers!
