How can I Educate Myself on Wine Pairings for Gourmet Dining?

Wine is often paired with food to enhance the flavors, and there are experts, like sommeliers and chefs, who make it their job to figure out which wines go best with which dishes.

Whether you’re finishing high school and thinking about a career in the culinary world, or you’re considering a career change and have a passion for food and drink, learning how to pair wine with food is a fantastic place to begin.

Wine and food pairing is all about choosing the right wines to go with different foods, whether it’s a main dish, a side, or even dessert.

Countries like Italy and France are known for being pioneers in wine and food pairing, but the tradition might go all the way back to ancient Greece. Over time, wine and food pairings have evolved into the fun and flavorful dining experience we enjoy today.

How to Pair Food with Wine

Pairing food with wine is a great way to bring out and enhance the flavors in both. Before we dive into our wine and food pairing guide, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Pay attention to the flavors and aromas of both the food and the wine.
• Make sure the wine complements the dish you’re serving.
• You can also try pairing wines and foods with contrasting flavors, like balancing acidity.
• Think about whether the wine is light or full-bodied.
• Light wines go well with lighter dishes.
• Full-bodied wines are perfect for heartier or creamier dishes.

Factors to Consider When Pairing Wine and Food

Professional chefs and culinary experts often share their tips in wine pairing guides to help people choose the best combinations.

If you’re interested in a culinary career or just want to learn more about food and wine pairings, getting familiar with some key factors can be really helpful.

Here are a few things to consider:

• Wine notes and flavors: The flavors and aromas in a wine are a big part of deciding what food it pairs best with.
• Sweetness: Sweet wines usually go well with sweet dishes, like desserts, while dry or savory wines are better suited to rich, savory foods.
• Acidity: Acidity is the “tartness” in wine. Tart wines are often paired with sweet foods or dishes that are rich in fat.
• Wine weight: Wines come in different “weights” — light, medium, or full-bodied. Light-bodied wines are refreshing, while full-bodied wines have a richer texture.

Pairing Wine with Different Cuisines

When choosing a wine to pair with food, factors like the wine’s notes, aromas, and body weight can help you decide. But it’s also important to consider the type of cuisine you’re working with.

Different cuisines bring unique flavors, spice levels, textures, and ingredients to the table. For example, Indian food is known for its bold spices and a mix of meat and vegetarian dishes. On the other hand, Italian cuisine is Mediterranean, with dishes like salads, rustic stews, pasta, pizza, and sweet desserts.

Because these two cuisines have such different flavors and textures, the wine pairings will be quite different too.

Red Wine Pairings

Let’s dive into our wine pairing guide, starting with red wines.

Red wines are often paired with red meats, rich seafood, cured meats, and even some desserts. Whether you’re serving a classic, bold, or light red wine can help you decide which foods go best with it.

Classic Red Wine Pairings

Classic reds like Malbec, Merlot, and Pinot Noir each have their own distinct flavors, making them perfect for different dishes. Some great pairings include:

• Steak
• Pork
• Beef
• Duck
• Lamb
• Rabbit
• Pheasant
• Venison
• Crab
• Lobster
• Pasta
• Swiss cheese
• Blue cheese
• Brie
• Mushrooms
• Root vegetables
• Berries
• Rich sauces

Bold Red Wine Pairings

Bold reds, such as Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, have strong flavors that pair well with hearty dishes. Here are some great matches:

• Pork
• Beef
• Steak
• Lamb
• Halloumi
• Gouda
• Pizza
• Risotto

Bold reds also go well with spiced foods and hearty vegetable dishes with rich sauces.

Light Red Wine Pairings

Light reds like Chianti, Rioja, and Vinho Verde have notes of berries and vanilla, which make them a great match for:

• Cured meats
• Lamb
• Lentils
• Pasta
• Cheese
• Pizza
• Risotto
• Fish
• Tapas
• Burgers

These wines are perfect for lighter, more delicate dishes while still offering plenty of flavor.

White Wine Pairings

White wines come in many varieties, from crisp and refreshing to rich and full-bodied, and they’re often paired with dishes like pasta, white meats, and seafood. Let’s break down some great wine pairings for these two main types of white wines.

Crisp White Wine Pairings

Crisp whites like Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, which come from places like Italy, France, America, and New Zealand, are perfect with dishes like:

• Vegetables
• Salads
• Chicken
• Shellfish
• White seafood
• Pasta
• Risotto
• Goat cheese
• Fruit-based desserts
• Thai food
• Mexican dishes

Rich White Wine Pairings

Rich whites like Pinot Gris and Chardonnay are ideal for dishes with more depth, such as:

• Creamy cheeses
• Chicken
• Seafood
• Turkey
• Sushi
• Pasta
• Vegetables
• Legumes

Sparkling Wine Pairings

Sparkling wines like Champagne, Prosecco, and Cava from Italy, Spain, and France are known for their bright notes of citrus and nuts, along with a higher level of acidity. They pair well with:

• Seafood
• Shellfish
• Chicken
• Sushi
• Lamb
• Root vegetables
• Nuts
• Rice
• Salad
• Cured meats
• Cheese

Dessert Wine Pairings

Dessert wines like sweet Ports and Sherries, which come from Portugal and Spain, are best known for pairing with sweet treats. Try these wines with:

• Cheese
• Nuts
• Olives
• Cured meats
• Figs
• Dark chocolate
• Tiramisu
• Fruit pies

Dessert wines can also work well with dishes like sushi, vegetables, or even savory meals like paella and risotto.

What Makes a Good Wine Pairing?

In this guide, we’ve talked about foods that pair well with different wines, but you might still be wondering what exactly makes a good wine pairing. One way to think about it is by looking at congruent and contrasting pairings.

Congruent Pairings vs. Contrasting Pairings

Congruent pairings are when the wine complements the food, bringing out similar flavors. This works well whether you’re pairing wine with a dish that has mixed flavors, a dessert, or a savory snack.

Contrasting pairings, on the other hand, balance out the flavors. For example, a wine can help tone down the acidity or spice in a dish, creating a more balanced and enjoyable combination.

Also Read: What are the Basics of Wine and Food Pairing?

Food and Wine Pairing Tips Everyone Should Know

Culinary classes often share great tips for pairing food and wine. To wrap up our wine and food pairing guide, here’s a quick recap:

• White wines pair well with white meats, white fish, and pasta.
• Red wines are perfect with red meats and desserts.
• Rosé wines are great for seafood.
• Sparkling wines go best with shellfish, fruits, and cheeses.
• Dessert wines are the ideal match for sweet treats.
• Sweet wines pair nicely with sweet foods.
• Light-bodied wines are great with chicken and pasta dishes.
• Full-bodied wines shine with hearty meats and complex dishes.