Food, Wine, and You

Choosing the proper wine always sounds like a complicated endeavor, but it doesn't have be. It is very possible to choose a wine that compliments the flavors of your food if you simply remember a few basic ideas. Just keep in mind the food that you are serving, and what flavors that you personally enjoy.

Traditional Food Pairing Guidelines

Wine should not be served at diner as merely a beverage to wash your food down with, but instead should be savored and enjoyed. A fine wine should also not have to compete with the flavors of your dinner, but instead compliment the taste of your meal. The traditional food pairing guidelines are intended to help you to accomplish this marriage of food and drink on your palette. If fish, poultry, pork, or veal is on the menu, then a Chardonnay is a fine choice for wine. Merlot is a terrific when paired with red meats, duck, and any pasta that is served with a hearty red sauce. Cabernet is another excellent choice for beef entrees, and Chianti tastes great with pork. Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir are two other excellent options to serve with fish. When you are serving a hearty casserole, consider presenting a Ruby Red wine. For lighter meals that include fruit and quiches, think about a Cameo Rose, an Apple Blossom, or even a Golden Pear. If all else fails or you even forget the guidelines, then you know that Champagne , White Zinfandel, and Riesling can be served with any food and will taste superb under about any circumstance.

Are the Rules Written in Stone?

Even with traditional guidelines in mind, many people still feel intimidated by the wine choosing process. Do not let yourself be one of those people. Instead, take a deep breath and relax. The best wine choice at any time and for any meal is always one that you enjoy. You can serve red wines with fish, and it is okay if you choose a white wine with red meat. Do not get so caught up in following the rules that you cannot even enjoy your wine or your dinner. After all, wine should be a means to help you to relax, instead of causing you anxiety. If at any time one of your guests inquires about your choice in wines for any given food, just smile and say, "Try it. You'll like it."