What wine do I serve with artichokes? Turkey?
I planned a dinner party for friends this week. I chose the seasonal menu with confidence, but when I got to the wine, I was unsure – so I did what I often do. I went to my local wine store and enlisted expert help in choosing wine to serve with my meal. I bought the wine from them. My strategy results in great pairings, but we often have a few bottles left over after the party. We have lots of singles and pairs of bottles which have accumulated over the years.
I am determined to get into our wine reserve and sip our way through some of our inventory, but I need help pairing wine with food without relying on my experts. The solution? Apps, of course.
This free, Hello Vino App, asks you which type of food you are serving and suggests a wine. It also recommends wines for various holidays and events, then it tells you where to find the wine. I love the simplicity of the app, (when I signed up I was careful not to ask for notifications, which sound annoying). Who knew that different wines pair with chocolate depending on whether it is bittersweet or milk? I ‘Hello Vino’ what wine to pair with turkey and gravy. It recommends a Pinot Noir, but says that Chardonnay and Merlot would also be good. This app is for IOS and Android.
Which wine compliments artichokes?
Via missouriwine.org/via buzzfeed.com
Here is a website with nine charts to guide you in pairing wine and cheese.
In case you are opposed to apps, or are inclined to DIY, here are some things to think about when you pair wine and food. The components of flavor in wine are sugar, acid, fruit, tannin and alcohol.
The elements to consider in food are acid, fat, salt, sugar, spicy and bitter. You also want to consider the richness and texture (light foods with light wines, heavy foods with heavy wines). Successful pairings can include similar wines and foods or contrasting ones. Different varieties of wine have unique properties based on their region of origin and even their vintage.
Food and Wine offers some general rules for wine at food pairings. They also offer recipes.
Beaujolais – Lamb shanks and olives
Burgundy – Duck breast with caramel apples
Cabernet Sauvignon – Red meat. The tannins in the wine work well with meat
Champagne – Anything salty
Chardonnay – Fish in sauces and fatty fish
Dry Rose – Cheese, vegetable soups and hors d’oeuvres
Malbec, Shiraz and Cotes-du-Rhone – Bold and stands up to strong flavors like barbecue
Pinot Grigio – A delicate wine, goes well with light seafood.
Pinot Noir – Earthy, savory flavors like mushrooms and truffles, pork chops and demi-glace
Rose champagne – Main courses like pasta and risotto
Sauvignon Blanc – Tangy, tart foods like salad dressings, onions and grapefruit
Syrah and Cabernet Franc – Go well with spicy dishes like curry and harissa
Zinfandel – Rustic and rich dishes like pâtés, mousses and terrines
See our ASE article on Wine Searcher to find out the value of the bottles you have stored.
Make sure that you share this with your best friend who entertains regularly would love to make her pairing choices made easy. She’ll thank you for it!
