Wine and Food: What’s the Best Way to Pair Them?
Which wine goes with which food? Do the old rules still apply, such as red wine with red meat and white wine with white meat? In this article, I want to show you which wine you can best serve with which food and what different options there are.
Yes, it’s still true. Even today, it’s said that red wine goes with red meat and white wine with white meat. This is because dark meat, which has strong flavors, needs a matching partner. White meat, on the other hand, which is lighter, also needs a lighter partner, like a white wine.
However, this rule can’t be seen as that simple anymore, as our cuisines have significantly expanded. From vegan and vegetarian dishes to Asian dishes, everything can be found. For this reason, there are still general recommendations, but these can be continuously expanded and modified. Additionally, tastes differ, leading to different preferences for certain wine-food combinations.
Basics of Wine and Food Pairing
Before we get to specific recommendations, here are some basic tips for pairing wine and food:
- Combine Similar Flavors: A light, fresh wine pairs well with a light, fresh dish, while a robust, spicy wine pairs better with a hearty, spicy dish.
- Opposites Attract: Sometimes a contrast between the food and the wine can also be very interesting. For example, a sweet wine can balance out a spicy dish well.
- Pay Attention to Intensity: The food and the wine should complement each other in terms of intensity so that neither overwhelms the other.
- Experiment: There are no hard and fast rules, so don’t hesitate to try different combinations and find out what tastes best to you.
Top 7 Rules – Wine and Food
Here are some rules that can still be applied:
Rule 1 – Wine and Meat
Red wine with red meat and white wine with white meat—a classic.
Rule 2 – Wine and Fish
White wine generally goes well with fish. This is because fish have white “meat” and are usually lean. Rieslings are especially good.
Rule 3 – Wine and Pasta
Here, the sauce plays a crucial role and is the deciding factor in the appropriate choice of wine.
Rule 4 – Wine and Cheese
With cheese and wine, it’s not so easy to say what goes together. The reason for this is the wide range of flavors found in cheese. For mild cheese, a lighter wine is recommended, and conversely, a robust wine goes well with spicy cheese.
Rule 5 – Wine and Asian Food
For Asian dishes seasoned with ginger and chili, a fruity Riesling works well as it softens the spiciness. For other Asian dishes, a light white wine is recommended.
Rule 6 – Wine and Vegetables
For vegetarian dishes, fruity white wines or a dry rosé are recommended.
Rule 7 – No Rules
There are no rules. Ultimately, everyone has to find out for themselves which wine they prefer to combine with which food. Everyone is completely different when it comes to food and especially taste, which is why I want to give you ideas with my tips, but you are also free to modify them.
Cooking with Wine
When cooking with wine, it’s important to choose the right one. There’s also no problem if the wine used for cooking later appears on the table. On the contrary, this complements the dish optimally, making the combination taste excellent. Therefore, don’t hesitate to pour the good red wine into the sauce in which it will be cooked, as this is how you can give your sauce that special something.
Our Wine Recommendations
Here are some of our wines from the online shop and suggestions for dishes with which they pair particularly well:
White Wine
- Riesling: A dry Riesling pairs excellently with light dishes featuring white meat, such as chicken or pork, as well as with seafood and Asian dishes.
Here you can find our selection of Riesling wines. - Chardonnay: A full-bodied Chardonnay harmonizes well with creamy sauces, pasta dishes, and dishes featuring white meat.
Here you can find our selection of Chardonnay wines.
Red Wine
- Merlot: A soft, fruity Merlot pairs well with red meat, such as beef or lamb, as well as with pasta dishes featuring tomato sauce.
Here you can find our selection of Merlot wines. - Cabernet Sauvignon: A robust Cabernet Sauvignon harmonizes well with grilled meats, game, and strong cheeses.
Here you can find our selection of Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
Conclusion
The right combination of wine and food can significantly elevate a culinary experience. Pay attention to the intensity and flavors of both the food and wine, and don’t hesitate to try different combinations. In our online shop, you’ll find a wide selection of wines that pair perfectly with various dishes.
