Ah, what to order first in a restaurant? The food, or the wine? Decisions, decisions! I think that people are creatures of habit. Some people go straight to the wine list to find their favourites, while others go straight to the food options and choose their wine afterwards. There is no wrong way. Both work! It just depends on the preference of the individual.
Food and wine pairing is as old as time, but the synergy behind it never ages. It is just a fact. When food and wine are paired properly … it is a symphony in your mouth. When paired poorly, it makes both the wine and the dish suffer.
There are a few simple things to remember when trying to pair on your own. Maybe I can help make it make more sense. It is all about complements and contrasts. It does not have to be white with fish and red with beef. How BORING. What one drip of au jus can change!
Always remember to try to match the wine to the food in both weight and mouthfeel. Also, it is NOT about the protein anymore.
Is there a sauce? How was the protein cooked? Are the onions and garlic raw or caramelized?
These are all simple questions that will become second nature to you once you have a bit of experience under your belt. For now, let’s talk about complementing your favorite creamy pasta dishes. This is a dense and velvety mouthfeel, of course.
Which wine would you choose? An oaky, buttery chardonnay, of course. The filling mouthfeel of this wine will match perfectly with weight as well. “Symphony”
Now, on the flip side we have contrast. This exact same pasta dish will also benefit from an acidic, dry Pinot Grigio just as well. In this case, the wine will cleanse the palate between mouthfuls of decadent cream. It will leave you wanting the next bite. Both pairing options are equally enjoyable.
It is a great experiment to try for yourself or with friends at the dinner table. Always so interesting to see who prefers complement to contrast. Try it!
Stay tuned to learn about what to do with “spicy” dishes. Oh, I have so much more to share with you.
Cheers!
Article written by Barb DeJonge
Photos provided by Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards
Address for Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards:
1425 Iler Rd
Harrow
Ontario
N0R 1G0
Phone:
(519) 738-4295
Website:
www.coopershawkvineyards.com
