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wine pairings

A Simple Guide to Wine Pairings for Every Beginner

Pairing wine with certain foods has been the ultimate culinary adventure for many centuries. The perfect glass of wine can elevate any meal, but how do you know which ones to pair with your favourite dishes?

Read on to learn more about the essential wine pairing tips you must know. 

Pairing Food With Wine

For both foodies and wine lovers, a plate of delicious food and a glass of exquisite wine make a heavenly pair that enhances your dining experience. How do you succeed in doing this, then? Here are some basic rules:

1. Pick Your Preferred Wine

To make sure that you enjoy any meal, of course, you must choose a wine you actually like. Stick to the type of wine you enjoy, and you can easily match this with the best food partner. 

2. Balance Them Out 

Your wine and food have to balance each other out, which means neither should overwhelm the flavour of the other. You can do this by pairing equal flavours such as a bold red with lamb or a light wine with fish. In some cases, opposite flavours pair well; take fried rice with a sweet Riesling, for example. 

3. Pair Your Wine with the Primary Flavour 

For a successful wine pairing, consider the most prominent flavour of the dish. This can be the main ingredient, sauce, or specific seasonings. For example, if you are serving chicken with decadent sauces, you may want to whip out a bottle of red wine. On the other hand, chicken with a creamy lemon sauce will taste the best with a glass of white wine. This is also why wine connoisseurs recommend pairing your wine with the sauce of your dish instead of its meat. 

Wine Pairing Methods 

Congruent

Congruent pairings involve two similar tastes that enhance each other for an outstanding balance. Take creamy mac and cheese and a creamy white wine such as Chardonnay, for example. 

Contrasting

Contrasting pairings are when a specific flavour balances out the boldness of the other. In this case, you can try pairing your creamy mac and cheese with a zesty Pinot Grigio, where the high acidity will nicely balance out the fat.

Flavour Profiles

Whether you are looking at wine or food, there are primary flavour profiles you should take note of:

  • Acidity
  • Alcohol 
  • Bitterness 
  • Fat
  • Saltiness
  • Sweetness

Each one can be matched with another to suit your taste. Knowing these flavour profiles will help you plan the perfect dinner date, special occasion, or holiday meal. 

Here are some quick wine facts you should know about:

  • Salt enhances the flavour of your wine. Try a sip of your wine after eating some salty crisps and you’ll notice it tastes much more fruity and less acidic.
  • Bitter wines (e.g. a red with more tannins) can be balanced out with a fatty food
  • White, rosé and sparkling wines have more acidity.

10 Wine Pairings You Will Surely Love

It is only natural to be confused with the rules and forget what goes with what. This is why we prepared a list below of some of the best tried-and-true pairings when it comes to wine and food. 

  • Cabernet and Red Meat
  • Chardonnay and Fish
  • Pinot Grigio and Seafood
  • Pinot Noir and Earthy Flavor
  • Riesling and Spicy or Sweet Flavor
  • Rosé and Cheesy Food 
  • Sauvignon Blanc and Tart Flavor
  • Sparkling and Salty Flavor
  • Syrah and Spicy Food
  • Zinfandel and Rich Food

With our thorough guide above, it will be much easier for you to prepare an incredible wine get-together with your family or friends. 

If you are looking for the best wines in the market, check out Cru Wine. We offer fine wine with a modern approach—buying wine made straightforward with a more enriched experience. Browse through our website today!

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