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MATCHING FOOD & WINE
The correct wine is the one that you like to drink! However, if you consider how the elements of wine and food work together you might find that some matches are more successful than others. This is because the properties of the wine react with the properties of the food and sometimes this intermingling produces something even better than the individual flavors and you have a great match!
The old rule of thumb that white wine goes best with seafood and red wine with meats still makes some sense. Our suggestion, however, is more along the lines of light wines with light meals and more robust wines with hearty meals. Most white wines are lighter and pair well with seafood, however, there are examples of white wines such as Burgundies and bigger California Chardonnays such as Grgich Hills that stand up well to steaks and chops! Most red wines are more robust and dry with sufficient tannin to warrant matching to a variety of meats. However, there are red wines that are lighter in style such as Pinot Noir, Chianti and Beaujolais that go very well with seafood dishes.
Another consideration when making your choice is the texture of the food and wine. A steak is much more substantial than a tender filet just as a lobster tail shows a firmness that a flaky fish filet does not. A general rule is the sturdier or fuller in flavor and texture of the food the more full-bodied the wine should be.
If you are having more than one wine with a meal, start with the lightest and simplest and work your way up to the more full-bodied wines.
Light-bodied White Wines
Riesling, Chablis, Muscadet, Kabinet, Orvietto, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio
Medium-bodied White Wines
Chablis Premier Cru, Macon, Pouilly-Fume, Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc, Graves, Montagny
Full-bodied White Wines
Chablis Grand Cru, Chardonnay, White Burgundies
Light-bodied Red Wines
Beaujolais, Chianti, Rioja, Valpolicella
Medium-bodied Red Wines
Beaujolais-Villages, Burgundy, Chianti Classico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Zinfandel
Full-bodied Red Wines
Barbaresco, Barolo, Bordeaux, Hermitage, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Premier or Grand Cru Burgundy
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