The only thing that makes good food taste better is a glass of wine with it. For every wine lover and connoisseur in the world, the perfect food and wine pairing play a crucial role. Whether you’re treating your friends to a lavish meal at home or want to take them out dining, being knowledgeable about this pairing is always a good idea. Read on to know more.
Wine pairing with starters
For starters, your entree dishes are usually light and refreshing. There is often an element of crunch and tanginess in these dishes too. A very good wine option here is sparkling wine. Sparkling wines such as Prosecco, Champagne, and Cava are hot favorites here. The acid in the sparkling wine compliments the character of the entrees and works well as a pair.
Wine pairing with the main course
A full-bodied, red wine pairs very well with an elaborate main course. The main course generally comprises rich, spicy and heavy dishes. Red wine is also quite rich, yet refreshing and so it pairs wonderfully well with the main course. Red wines have a high tannin percentage which makes them quite bitter and this helps to cut through the richness of the food, making it a perfect pairing.
Wine pairing with desserts
Since your final platter is sweet, you need to focus on sweet wines here. Ice wines, port wines and sweeter versions of sparkling wines, such as Rosé, go well with desserts. Tart, acidic wines do not pair well with the desserts so choose your wines carefully.
General rules for food and wine pairing
If you are hosting a party, it is always a good idea to have a variety of wines on offer. Else, you can call your guests in advance and check about their wine preferences. Red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir are quite bitter and rich. White wines such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are quite acidic. Other wines such as ice wines and port wines are very sweet. You, therefore, need to be sure that your guests enjoy the types of wine you serve.
Food pairing with Indian cuisine
Indian food is extravagant and hearty. There are different spice elements and are quite rich on the palette. As a rule, red wines such as Shiraz and Merlot pair very well with traditional Indian dishes. For a homely dinner though, a light-bodied white wine such as Pinot Grigio or Riesling or even a refreshing sparkling wine like Processo works very well.
Keeping it simple
Whether you are a connoisseur or just a very ardent fan of wine, you would surely agree that picking the right wine at the right time makes all the difference. The next time you go wine shopping, be expansive in your selection and pick out different varieties. Then, keeping the tips mentioned above, pair each wine with the correct type of food and open a whole new wine and dine experience for yourself and your loved ones.
