How to Pair Wine With Food Like an Award-Winning Chef

Pair Wine



Read our guide on how to pair wine with food, and you will be an expert before you know it.

Why Is Wine Pairing Important?

When award-winning chefs prepare a menu, they will often recommend a wine to go with each dish. Why is this? When you pair wine with food, you are creating a culinary journey. Food and wine pairings allow chefs to enhance the flavor of both the wine and the food. 

Think of flavors like salt and vinegar. Bacon and eggs. Gin and tonic. Cheese and, well, just about anything really. When the flavors are combined, they are mutually beneficial, and they complement each other, making the flavor experience even better. 

The same is true for wine and food pairing.

How to Pair Wine Like a Pro

Most of us enjoy a nice, relaxing glass of wine with our meals. But understanding wine-food pairing can take your culinary experience to the next level.

Of course, you might have a little way to go before becoming an expert. Wineries such as Naramata Bench Winery are renowned for their expert wine pairings knowledge, carefully managed vineyards, and exceptional wines.

But by learning a few of the basic rules of wine and food pairing, you can inject a little winery knowledge into your very own kitchen. 

Cabernet Sauvigon Loves Meat

Heavy-bodied, rich red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon tend to have deep, berry notes. It is a bold wine that compliments a bold meal while the tannins refresh the palette.

Pair your red with warming, meaty meals that are rich in flavor, such as roast meats, steaks, hearty stews, and roasted vegetables. 

Go Fresh and Zingy With Sauvignon Blanc

This refreshing, white wine is always a treat. Thanks to its zippy flavor and fruity finish, Sauvignon Blanc is perfect to enjoy with fresh, exciting meals.

For this pairing, try a light meal featuring fish, shellfish, oysters, pasta with a creamy sauce, and salads with slightly tart dressings. 

Enjoy Seafood With Chardonnay

Sticking with the white wines, next up is the rich and oaky (but still quite fruity) Chardonnay.

This elegant white wine pairs beautifully with all kinds of seafood. If you are planning on cooking up a piece of salmon, or maybe rolling up some sushi, then serve a glass of cool Chardonnay to enhance those flavors.

Pair Malbec With BBQ

If meat is on the menu, then a full and juicy Malbec is essential. This is the wine of choice for meaty meals, such as BBQ, steaks, and any kind of spiced red meat dish like chili con carne. 

Sweet and spicy sauces plus creamy, cheesy sides all make great taste pairings with a good Malbec. 

Spice Loves Syrah

When spice is on the menu, nothing can make a better wine-food pairing than a delicious Syrah. This red wine has lots of dark fruit and spicy notes, which complement spiced meals perfectly.

It also pairs nicely with roasted meats and vegetables and hard, nutty cheeses. 

Become a Wine Expert in Minutes

When you pair wine with the right food, you can turn most meals from drab to fab. 

Now that you understand the importance of wine-food pairing, you will be able to enjoy more exciting and delicious meals.

For more advice, tips, and news in the food world, check out some other articles on the blog. 

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