Wine/Food and Wine Pairing

      Wine has always been a drink to match with food. An ideal pairing of the wine's unique characteristics can help make a truly memorable meal.

      Some examples of wine and food pairings include:

      • Riesling with a spicy dish. The sweetness and acidity of the wine matches perfectly with the spice in the food.
      • Hearty red, such as cabernet sauvignon with steak or lamb. Always a classic - the two are a classic combination.
      • Sauvignon blanc with a fish; the clean taste of sauvignon blanc matches well with a simply prepared fish dish.

      The following table will show some of the styles of wines, the styles attributes and finally a classic food match. The next section will describe additional matches that can be made for specific types of food.

      Wine Style Food Match
      Sauvignon Blanc - Bordeaux White Clean taste, moderate acidity Simple Fish Dishes, as an aperitif
      Cabernet Sauvignon - Hearty Red Deep flavor, some tannins, ripe fruit Roasted, grilled meat

      Cheese and wine

      Cheese Wine
      Asiago Cabernet Sauvigon, Merlot, Shiraz
      Bleu Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Zinfandel
      Brie Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sparkling wine, Ice Wine
      Cheddar Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Shiraz
      Gouda Riesling, Beaujolais, Merlot, Zinfinadel
      Gruyere Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz
      Monterey Jack Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Beaujolais, Merlot
      Parmigiano Reggiano Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Carbet Sauvignon, merlot, Shiraz
      Swiss Sauvignon Blanc, Beaujolais, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir

      Generally, the stronger the cheese, the stronger the wine should be.

      Last modified on 5 November 2010, at 15:44