When enjoyed alongside certain meals and types of food, the intricate notes of wine are brought to the forefront. If you’re just starting to explore the world of wine pairings, here are some general tips that can help. Columbia Distributing specializes in wine brands and varieties to provide a flavor for every meal.
Understanding Wine Pairings
There are a couple of different factors that determine whether a pairing works well or not. For the most part, however, it’s about balance. For example, you don’t want to pair a bitter wine with a bitter food. No single flavor should be overwhelming or dominating; instead, they should work together to complement each other.
It almost comes down to weight. You’ll see wines described as being full-bodied or light-bodied. If a wine is full, or heavy, it means it has a richer, more complex flavor that lingers on your tastes buds. It pairs well with heavy foods, like red meat. Similarly, you’ll want to pair light wines with light foods. A light red, like Pinot Noir, goes great with fish and vegetables. As a rule of thumb, you want the wine to complement the main part of a dish, not the sides.
Common Food and Wine Pairings
Trying to figure out wine pairings on your own can be challenging at first. To help get you started, here’s some popular pairings that almost always work well together. See what kind of wine you have in your kitchen and then use the tips below to plan what you’re having for dinner.
- Chardonnay – This rich white wine tastes best with soft cheese and starches, but also tastes great with fish and poultry.
- Sauvignon Blanc – Dry white wines complement vegetable-based dishes, especially ones with roasted veggies like mushrooms.
- Moscato – A sweet white wine like Moscato or Riesling pairs well with desserts, cheeses and cured meat. The sweetness also helps balance out spicy meals.
- Pinot Noir – If you have a light red wine, pair it with rich seafood dishes, like crab. It also tastes great with poultry, cured meat and roasted vegetables.
- Cabernet Sauvignon – As mentioned, bold reds taste best with heavier foods, like cured meat, red meat and hard cheeses.
Discover Wine at Columbia Distributing
Columbia Distributing is a beverage distributor in Oregon ,Washington and Northern California. Check out the complete list of wine brands we offer, including Paso Creek, PopCrush and Rosatello, or contact us today with any questions.