This is a list of tips that will help you with your wine and food pairing for some of the more challenging types of foods. Pairing food to the right wine can be an exciting adventure especially when you like food infused with many flavors such as hot, sweet or spicy. Ingredients such as herb and cheese or sauces and vinaigrettes will also change the options.
Use these tips and enjoy your next food and wine pairing.
Not in any particular order
1. Dry sparkling wines are perfect with anything salty
2. Zippy white wines go with tart dressings and sauces
3. When a dish has lots of fresh herbs, drink a wine that has citrus and herb scents
4. Light seafood dishes take on more flavor when paired with delicate white wines
5. Try buttery, silky whites with a rich fish or fish in a rich sauce
6. Pair sweet and spicy dishes with off-dry whites
7. The fruit in desserts are enhanced by a slightly sweet sparkling wines
8. When in doubt a Rose will often work since they have such depth of flavor, being food friendly
9. For rich, cheesy dishes, try a dry rosé
10. Foods with earthy flavors like mushrooms are great with light bodied reds full of savory depth
11. Old World wines and Old World dishes are usually good together
12. Big bold reds are bold enough to drink with foods that are brushed with heavy barbeque sauces
13. For pâtés and mousses pour a Zinfandel
14. Juicy red meat is fabulous with Cabernet Sauvignon
15. Match highly spiced dishes with a spicy red wine