How To Match Wine with Food
by Meena SethiWe're sure you've heard this one before. Serve white wine with fish and red wine with meat. But, since food and wine are more complex today than ever before, we've found a way that's not so basic but not so complicated as to make you want to forget the whole idea of wine and food pairing. The key is to analyze a single basic element in both food and wine. We'll call it "weight," or body.
In a good match, the wine should have roughly the same weight as the food. Delicate foods show best with lighter wines; heartier ones need heavier (or richer) wines for balance. You are probably already following this principle to a large extent. For example, when you serve oysters with Muscadet, or lamb with Cabernet Sauvignon, you're matching wine and food weights to perfection. But while these two pairings have the guarantee for long tradition behind them, they don't exhaust the possibilities by a long shot.
The beauty of this approach is that it opens the door to new pairings and unexpected pleasures. Here then is the system, devised by Wine Spectator magazine, to help you with your next wining and dining experience.
Lighter Whites
Wine Categories Food Categories •Muscadet •Clams or oysters •Pinot Blanc •Delicate fish •Pinot Gris •Cold cuts and pates' •Riesling •Grilled vegetables •Chardonnay •Salads with mild dressings •Macon and Bourgogne •Pasta with oil-based & vegetable sauces •White Zinfadel •Chevre and other fresh cheeses
Our Recommendations
•2002 Trimbach Pinot Gris Reserve $17.99
Fresh, yet full-bodied, lively & refined, Trimbach Pinot Gris is a rich, dry white wine which is perfect on it's own, with your favorite food and with your favorite friends.
•2003 Caymus Conundrum $22.99
Conundrum is a dramatically different white wine blend. It's floral, tropical, spicy flavors and lush texture is complementary to a wide range of contemporary foods.
•2004 Pascal Jolivet Sancerre $19.99
This expressive Sancerre - entirely Sauvignon Blanc - is very aromatic, dry and refreshing with a delicate note of lime blossom. It's great with Seafood.
•2004 Dr Loosen "L" Riesling $12.99
This wine embodies the elegant and racy style of the Mosel Valley. It is fruity and low in alcohol, with a refreshingly crisp taste that cools the palate. It's excellent with spicy foods.
Richer Whites
Wine Categories Food Categories •Albarino •Crab or lobster •Gavi •Richer fish such as salmon •Sancerre or Poully-Fume' •Roast chicken or turkey •Sauvignon Blanc •Baked ham or roast pork •Alsace (except Pinot Blanc) •Chef salad •White Rhone •Pasta with cream sauce •Chardonnay •Brie and other semisoft cheeses
•2003 Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandra Chardonnay $16.99
This wine is partly fermented in steel vats and partly in French barrels to ensure freshness and complexity. With notes of fruit, honey and a delicate toasty finish this wine is ideal on its own or with food.
•2004 Lagar de Cervera Albarino, Rias Baxias $14.99
This wine features ripe, peachy fruit aromas, a full body and fresh, mouth-watering acidity. This is an ideal wine for summer, perfect for barbecues and all manners of seafood dishes.
•2002 Louis Latour Pouilly Fuisse $17.99
This wine offers seductive fruit aromas of melons and pears with underlying notes of almonds. A balanced acidity complements its buttery texture and pronounced ripe fruit character.
•2002 Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay $29.99
This chardonnay continues 16 Year Tradition as an exceptionally well-balanced, classic wine. Its subtle lemon-citrus qualities make this wine a good match for wide variety of chicken, seafood and pasta dishes.
Lighter Reds
Wine Categories Food Categories •Beaujolais •Richer fish •Dolcetto •Game birds such as squab •Chianti (not riserva) •Chicken or turkey, with red wine sauce •Cotes du Rhone •Pasta or risotto with meaty sauces •Pinot Noir •Pizza •Merlot from Chile or Italy •Swiss and other mild firm cheeses
•2003 Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone Rouge $9.99
This wine is produced by the Perrin brothers of Chateau de Beaucastel. This wine has all the peppery aromas, black cherry, cassis and spice flavors and is a perfect accompaniment to Mediterranean cooking.
•2003 Edna Valley Pinot Noir Paragon Vineyard $16.99
Appealing aromas and flavors include ripe and berry and some smoky, earth undertones with smooth tannins and a moderate finish.
•2003 Protos Ribera Duero Roble $12.99
Ribera Duero from Protos is the famous Spanish wine after which the prestigious region Ribera del Duero has been named. This delicious wine has rich fruit, great body, and soft, yet firm tannins. It's great with hearty dishes, roasts, grilled meats and tapas.
•2002 Markham Merlot $18.99
Loaded with vibrant vanilla, toasty oak and hints of smoke gives way to bright fruit flavors.
Richer Reds
Wine Categories Food Categories •Barbera •Poultry or game birds •Merlot •Beef •Red Bordeaux •Stews •Zinfadel •Roast veal or pork •Cabernet Sauvignon •Bean-based dishes with hearty vegetables •Northern Rhone •Pasta with hearty sauces •Australian Shiraz •Parmigiano & other hard cheeses
•2002 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $44.99
It is full of ripe fruit notes of blackberry and big cherry with a dash of spice. The finish is smooth and silky with sweet tannins lingering on the palate.
•2002 Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon $24.99
This wine has rich varietal character, with superb oak integration, great depth, complexity and length. It's great with barbecue, lamb, ribs or any red meat.
•2001 St. Francis Old Vines Zinfandel $18.99
Ripe cherry, raspberry, spice and plum flavors and aromas lead into this wine's densely fruity palate palate followed by notes of toast, smoke and chocolate.
•2000 Chateau Talbot Saint-Julien Grand Cru $54.99
It's a supple open-styled wine. It reveals richness, sweet tannins and abundant quantities of smoky cassis, licorice, herb, earth and leathery characters. Drink it with beef stew or any hearty dishes.
