A Quick Guide to Some of the Best Food and Wine Pairings

Food paired with the right wine can be a match made in heaven, and you can enhance your gastronomic experiences if you are aware of some basic rules for choosing wines to complement food.

Before we delve into the best wine and food pairings, we’ve included a quick rundown on the types of wines available:

• Lightweight lean, crisp whites.
• Aromatic, fruity, round whites.
• Medium full-bodied, creamy, aged whites.
• Light-bodied bright, zesty, low tannin reds.
• Dry and sweet fortified wines. 

Try these 10 food and wine combinations to excite your palate.

1. Pinot Noir paired with a dish rich in earthy flavours.
2. Chardonnay is good with fatty fish such as salmon or shrimp and a thick, rich sauce. It is also good for most fish and chicken dishes.
3. Champagne and other sparkling dry wines are well suited for salty foods such as Chinese noodles dishes.
4. Sauvignon Blanc is a versatile food wine that can go well with seafood, poultry, and salads.
5. Dry Rosé goes with cheese. Are you having a little adult get-together at home for your closest friends? A cheese platter with dry rosé will make everyone happy.
6. Cabernet Sauvignon is perfect with juicy, red meat. Are you having steak and potatoes for dinner this weekend? Pair them with this full-bodied red wine.
7. Pinot Grigio is a semi-sweet white wine that pairs well with light seafood dishes.
8. Riesling is a dry light white wine that is best served with fish, chicken, and pork dishes. Fresh, fruity Riesling complements spicy dishes by balancing the heat in the meat.
9. Gewürztraminer, with its fruit flavours, is ideal with Asian food, pork and grilled sausages.
10. Merlot is a black-cherry and herbal-flavoured red wine that pairs well with many foods including your favourite pot roasts; rich, cheesy dishes; and hamburgers.

 Sources: Pairing Food and Wine For Dummies, Perfect Pairings: A Master Sommelier’s Practical Advice for Partnering Wine, Food and Wine by Evan Goldstein