Do you make pour decisions (pun intended) when it comes to wine choices? Do you choose red when you should’ve chosen white wine? Do you enjoy wine from a specific region but don’t know what foods to enjoy with it?
Don’t let that stop you from ordering wine at dinner or bringing a bottle to the next dinner party you attend. All you need to do is learn some fast tips about wine pairings.
Sip back and relax! We’re here to teach you five factors to consider when choosing wine for dinner.
1. Consider Your Preferences
If you are choosing wine for dinner based on the food you are eating, make sure to consider your preferences. Narrow down these preferences as much as possible to find the best option.
Think about these things to come to a consensus:
- Red or white wine
- Varietal preference
- Country of origin
- Wine region
Some of these things might not matter to you, but if you’ve tried a lot of wines, you understand how they make a difference.
2. Choose Acidic Wines for Acidic Foods
When it comes to options for wine, it’s best to pair acid with acid. These wines have a higher degree of acidity and should be paired with acidic dishes:
- Champagne
- Riesling
- Pinot Noir
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Albarino
Fish, citrus, and tomatoes go with the above wines. You can also use acidic wines to cut through oily or fatty dishes to help cleanse your palate.
3. Select Sweet Wines for Salty Dishes
Tasting different wines will help you note which ones are sweeter than others. If you have a sweet or semi-sweet wine you love, pair it with a salty dish for the perfect balance.
Depending on your preference, you can choose between these wines:
- Riesling
- Moscato
- Champagne
- Chardonnay
- Sauternes
Dry low-tannin red wines like Pinot Noir and Beaujolais work well too. If you don’t enjoy drinking red wine, a rosé will do your meal justice.
4. Pick Rosé or Sparkling Wines to Play It Safe
If you are bringing wine to a dinner party or don’t know what you are cooking yet, play it safe. Both sparkling wines and rosé are versatile when it comes to food pairings.
To play it extra safe, choose a well-rounded bottle of bubbly that isn’t too tart or too sweet.
You can also look through The Best Non-Alcoholic Wines for those who don’t drink alcohol.
5. Pair Sweet Wines With Dessert
Pairing wine with dessert is a lot easier than other foods. You’ll want the dessert and wine to harmonize, so you’ll need a sweet wine. A dry wine won’t shine in the presence of a sweet dessert.
The best plan of action for dessert time is to choose a sweet wine for a dessert that isn’t as sweet and vice versa. For example, choose sweet wines with tea cookies, pastries, fruit tarts, etc.
Choosing Wine for Dinner: Perfect Pairings
When choosing wine for dinner, following the rules of pairings will give you the best experience. However, you first need to consider your preferences above all.
You won’t enjoy wine if you consistently don’t like the type, no matter how great the pairing is. Next time you go out or buy wine for dinner, consider this guide.
Are you a big foodie? Check out the other tasty posts on our blog for more!
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