Taste is subjective. We all have different palates so one combination that might work for us won’t work for others. Finding a perfect match will add pleasure when dining. Anyone can make a successful wine and food combination.
Most of us know the basics: red wine goes with meat, white wine goes with fish and chicken. Nowadays there are a lot of things to consider because of the diverse flavor profiles of wines that have emerged.
It’s not just about grabbing any wine from your residential wine cellar and serving it with any kind of food. The first thing that we have to keep in mind is to choose the wine that we like otherwise we won’t enjoy the pairing at all.
Below are the basic principles in food and wine matching:
1. In order to find a great wine, you must know the primary characteristics of the dish. You should look for something that will complement or enhance the flavors of both the wine and the dish.
2. It is essential to match the weight of the food and the wine. The key is to keep the balance. If you are serving a hearty, flavorful food then it’s best to pair it with a heavy wine. For mild or light dishes, you can go for light bodied wine. Look for the dominant flavors and go from there.
3. Always match an acidic food with an acidic wine, but make sure one doesn’t overwhelm the other. Another option is to complement fatty food with an acidic wine.
The sweetness of a wine balances spice and heat in certain dishes. Sweet wines can also intensify flavors in some dishes that are mildly sweet. On the other hand, salty foods go well with sweet wines, as it provides contrast and the blend of flavors is just perfect.
4. Another pairing tip is adding an ingredient to the dish that is present or perceived in the wine. By doing this, you will most likely match dishes well with some wines in your wine cellar.
5. If you’re not really sure what kind of wine to pair up with your dish, think of where they originated. If you prepared an Italian dish like pasta and pair it up with an Italian wine it is likely to work. This may not work at all times but it makes sense.
With the basic tips mentioned above, you will definitely enjoy your wine drinking experience with family, friends, or colleagues. It is also beneficial to have your own wine cellar at home where you have easy access to your wines.
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