Partnering The Right Food And Wine

By Author: Laura Sara
Total Articles: 10
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There are many mysteries surrounding what foods and wines you should or shouldn't put together and newcomers to wine can often feel intimidated by the vast array of choice listed on a restaurant's menu.

Will the wine waiter or sommelier laugh if you make the 'wrong' choice? If you're unsure about which wine will pair well with the food you've chosen, don't feel shy about asking the wine waiter for his suggestion. Many restaurants have a good value but decent quality house wine, so ask whether the house white or red will go well with your meal. Remember, the waiter is there to ensure that your dining experience is pleasurable with the hope that you'll return.

As a simple to follow guide it's quite easy to generalise and suggest that red wines pair well with red meats such as lamb or beef. The gutsy, fuller flavours in red wines can stand up to the heavier meats. In general, white wines will match well with lighter dishes such as chicken or fish or vegetarian dishes. While sweeter white wines make natural partners to puddings and desserts.

Rosé wines generally pair well with lighter dishes in a similar way ...
... to white wines. They're usually not as heavy as reds and can't stand up to the big flavours of game and red meat. However, they do make a pleasant alternative to white and Californian rosés with typically summer food dishes.

If you're choosing a juicy Texan style steak, then go for a rich juicy Merlot and it'll be delicious. A crisp summer salad like a Ceaser or Chicken Ceaser salad would be a great paring with a chilled Pinot Grigio.

If you're eating outdoors and having a bar be qu, try with lots of different flavours, go for a cool Grenache Rose. However, just as you wouldn't serve a juicy steak half cold, so it's important to have your wine at the correct temperature for maximum enjoyment.

Red wines such as a Merlot should be kept at 10-12 deg C. White wines such as a fresh Pinot Grigio should be kept at 6-10 deg C and rose wine such as a Grenache rosé should be kept between10-12 deg C.

If possible, try to make sure that your glassware presents the wine at its best, so if you're buying new glasses, go for ones that have a bigger base and a narrow top. And don't be tempted to overfill your glasses, remember you can always have a second half glass and give the wine room to move, rather than filling to the brim.

Whether you are looking for a crisp and refreshing Californian white wine or a smooth South Africa red wine, search online where the best options are available. Visit http://www.juicygrapewines.co.uk/our-wines/pinot-grigio for more information.