Have you noticed how sometimes a specific wine just goes so well with a certain dish? Why is that? Many people remark on how the combinations are so enjoyable, especially when they were surprised. They are more than just additive, often the wine brings together all of the different flavors in the dish to create an even greater whole. Alcohol and food go way, way back. Pairing wine with food is an age old art and science. In the right hands, food and wine literally become the perfect pair. The Greeks were enjoying wine and food pairings, and the Romans would follow in their footsteps.
We all know that wine and cheese is a classic pairing, but what about all the other food in the world? Here’s how to pair wine with just about any meal.
Match the Intensity
One of the key things to consider when choosing a wine for your meal is how intense the flavors are. The rule of thumb is this: pair bold wines with bold food and light wines with light food. For example, if you’re having a spicy, flavorful dish like Indian curry, you would want to choose a wine that has similar intensity, like a red zinfandel or grenache. On the other hand, if you’re having something lighter like grilled chicken or fish, choose a white wine like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio. The more delicate flavors of these foods can be overwhelmed by bolder wines, such as cabernet sauvignon or chardonnay.
Match the Texture
Another thing to keep in mind is the texture of your food. When matching textures, think of it this way: acidic foods need acidic wines and fat needs tannin. To illustrate this concept, let’s say you’re making pasta with tomato sauce for dinner. Both tomatoes and pasta have acidity that’s why they taste so good with White wines.
Check The Acidity Level Of The Wine
The wines that belong to cool climates are much more acidic than the ones that are from the humid climates. The certain way to get the best wine pair with the food dish is to prior check the acidity level of the wine. The wine must always be more than the food. If you are eating the food with the fattest calories, you must go for picking the top acidic wine. You can pair such foods with Rose, Sparkling, and White wines.
Check The Sweetness Level Of The Wine
The sweet foods must accompany the wines that are equally or over sweet. The sweetness of the wine would cut the salty taste and elevate the richness of the food. The sweeter wine would not let the food taste tedious and make a sound pair. One should check the sweetness level of the wine and accordingly pair up the food. For instance, a Mac and cheese with ham will match best with the zesty wine with sugar like a riesling.
