How to pair wine with food
Oct 31, 2022
Food and wine pairing
You invite friends over for a meal. What wine do you serve? Food and wine pairing can become really complicated and, quite frankly, really snobby, but let’s make it simple.
You want everyone to have a good time, right? Choosing a wine that enhances the food that you’ve spent hours preparing (or buying!) makes for a more enjoyable, memorable evening. Here are a few basics to consider when pairing food with wine.
Food and wine pairing guide:
A good food and wine pairing tip are to choose wines that match the flavour intensity of the food.
- A wooded or fruity white wine is often a good choice for spicy curry dishes
- A robust red wine is a perfect match for a hearty stew, roast or steak
- A light, crisp white wine will go well with a fresh green salad or grilled chicken
- A very rich, creamy dish will be balanced out by a more acidic wine, be it red or white.
Food and wine pairing ideas:
Getting your friends involved in discussing food and wine pairing makes for a more interactive, dynamic get-together. Here are a few ideas to liven up a party with some food and wine pairing possibilities.
- Just because you have pizza takeaways doesn’t mean you don’t need to consider the wine. Something meaty needs a hearty red wine, while something cheesy might need a more acidic white but the traditional Hawaiian calls for a full-bodied, fruity white wine. Why not ask your guests to taste and pick their best combo?
- Wine and chocolate is not a traditional pairing, but if you’re a chocaholic, this one’s for you. The experts tell us that white chocolate pairs best with sweeter, fruity white wines, while milk chocolate should taste best with a light to medium-bodied red. Dark chocolate calls for a big bold red wine.
- Wanting to impress someone special? If you’ve got a hot date, make sure you wine and dine in style. Choose a wine with a special story that will impress. Wine prepares the palate for food, so enjoy a few sips while you wait for your food to arrive and you’ll pave the way for a magical evening.
- Invite your friends over for the big game and prepare some snacks to enjoy in front of the screen. A chilled white wine will go best with salty snacks, but something cheesy will partner best with a fruity red wine. Remember to keep a bottle of bubbles on ice to pop when you win.
- Quiz nights can become quite heated. A few bottles of fruity red will loosen the tongues and possibly the brain cells.
- Just dining alone doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pair food and wine. Take time to pick your wine, pour some into a beautiful glass, and savour the me-time.
Putting effort into meals makes a huge difference in the experience. It doesn’t have to cost a lot or take time. It just requires a little thought. Cheers from the HER Wine Collection team.
