If you want to make a delicious dinner an even more exquisite experience, you will need a bottle of quality wine. However, instead of grabbing a random bottle in the shop, you need to be careful with your choice of beverage. After all, not all dishes and wine pairings go well together, creating an unsavoury aftertaste in your mouth.
So how should you combine your food and wine to create a harmonious pairing that will take you to the next level of culinary sensations? The main rule is to match the complementary flavours, especially with your dinner. You could also combine tannins with fats and salty foods with acidic wine. Do not forget to take into consideration the cooking method and the texture of the meal. Finally, if you are confused about the complexity of flavours, you should remember that what grows together goes together.
At first, creating a splendid wine and dinner pairing might seem complicated, especially if you are not a seasoned cook or wine lover. With this in mind, take a look at some tips that can help you find the perfect combination.
Balance the Flavours and Complexity of the Dish
The first thing you should do is think about the major flavours of your dish and find a wine that has complementary flavours. The main rule is that the wine should not overpower the meal.
For example, you would not want to drink a full-bodied red wine with a delicate fish dish. The tannins in the wine will mask the light taste of the fish. Instead, you should go for a bottle of white wine or a rosé. On the other hand, if you plan to make a hearty beef stew, you should choose a red wine with high tannin content, such as a cabernet sauvignon or a merlot.
You should also take into consideration the complexity of flavours in your dish. If it is a simple dish with only a few ingredients, you should look for a wine with straightforward flavours. However, if your meal is packed with different flavours, you will need a more complex wine that can stand up to the dish. In this case, you might want to consider a white wine with oak ageing or a full-bodied red wine.
To find a fine wine for your meal, you can visit your local wine store and ask a wine merchant for help or check reviews online. On sites like Hey Discount, you can even find promo codes and coupons that allow you to get the wine you want at a lower price.
Think About the Cooking Method and Texture
Another thing to consider when pairing wine with dinner is the cooking method and texture of the food. For example, if you are making a dish cooked in a sauce or gravy, you should look for a wine that can stand up to the sauce’s richness. In this case, you might want to consider a full-bodied red wine or a white wine with higher alcohol content.
On the other hand, if you make a light dish such as a salad or fish, you should look for a wine with similar flavours and body. In this case, you might want to consider a classic white wine or rosé.
You should also take into consideration the texture of the food. If it is a creamy dish, you should look for a wine that can cut through the creaminess, such as a Sauvignon blanc or rich Chardonnay.
Pair Tannins with Fats
When pairing wine with dinner, you should also consider the tannin content of the wine. Tannins are astringent compounds found in the skins, seeds, and stems of grapes. They can also be found in oak barrels. Wines with high tannin content tend to have a dry, bitter, and astringent taste.
Tannins can be an excellent match for fatty foods, such as steak and lamb. The fat in the food will help soften the tannins in the wine and create a more balanced flavour. Nonetheless, if you are making a spicy dish, you should look for a wine with low tannin content. The astringent taste will make the spicy food all the spicier.
Pair Acidic Wine with Salty Foods
Another thing to consider when pairing wine with dinner is the acidity of the wine. Wines with higher acidity levels tend to have a tart and tangy taste. They are ideal for salty foods such as ham, bacon, and hard cheeses. The acidity in the wine will help to cut through the saltiness of the food and create a more balanced flavour.
People love pairing high-quality blackberry wines with cheeses and cheesy foods because of the contrast. While it’s also great for desert, these two go together like a match made in heaven.
Similarly, if you are making a dish that is high in fat, such as duck or lamb, you can also use a wine with acidic undertones. The wine’s acidity will help cut through the fat and create a more balanced flavour.
Remember That What Grows Together Goes Together
If you are still unsure about what wine to pair with your meal, you can always follow the rule “what grows together goes together”. This rule is based on the fact that wines from certain regions tend to go well with the cuisine from those regions. For example, if you are making an Italian dish, you might want to consider a Chianti or a Barbera. And if you are making a French dish, you should opt for a Burgundy or Bordeaux.
In Conclusion
As you can see, there are many things to take into consideration when pairing wine and dinner. Nonetheless, it does not mean that choosing a bottle of wine is more complex than cooking the meal itself. On the contrary, you do not have to be a wine expert to pick the right wine and enjoy your meal.
If you pay attention to the flavours in your dish, the cooking method and texture, as well as the tannins, acidity level, and body of the wine, you will have no problem finding a great combination. Whether it is an everyday meal or a gourmet feast, your evening will be refined with a glass of fine wine.
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