This month’s column focuses on the basics of wine and food pairing with one important caveat. Don’t be afraid to throw the rules out!
A wise sommelier once said that there are no mistakes in food and wine paring. Years ago, I worked with a winemaker who drank Chardonnay with barbecued sausages. He knew red wine would likely pair better, but he really liked Chardonnay and sausages.
If it pleases you, then that’s a good choice for your palate.
Rule breaking aside, there are some basic guidelines to consider and chief among them is: What Grows Together Goes Together! Italian food served with Italian wine.
Spanish Tapas with Spanish wine. Beef Bourguignon served with a red Burgundian-style wine from France or Oregon. Matching the power of the wine and the food means that both are enhanced when served together.
This is known as harmony pairing. Another harmony pairing is that acids go with acids. A tomato basil salad with either Goat or Feta cheese pairs beautifully with crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Sancerre.
Consider a steaming plate of pasta garnished with fresh basil and a Bolognese red sauce with shaved parmesan. If you serve it with a medium-bodied Chianti or a Sangiovese, the food and wine complement each other because you’ve paired the most dominant flavor in your dish.
Now just to keep things interesting, as with relationships, opposites can also attract when it comes to wine and food paring. These are called contrasting pairings.
For example, spicy or salty foods pair well with wine that has a hint of sweetness. Consider Asian cooking and Riesling. If you are serving a rich dish, you might opt for a wine with high acidity to cut through the richness and reset the palate.
Some of the hardest foods to pair with wines are asparagus, Brussels Sprouts, cabbage, and kale. In an attempt to balance the flavors, I would recommend a buttery Chardonnay or a full-bodied Viognier.
Simply put, wine and food pairings are subjective. Harmony or contrasting pairings are basic principles but never be afraid to break the rules. Cheers!
