Sauvignon Blanc (white wine): light with high levels of acidity and much citrus
•Feta and goat cheeses
•Pine nuts
•Chicken, turkey, pork
•Fatty white fish, oysters, scallops, lobster, shrimp, sushi
•Citrus, green apples, asparagus
•Chives, tarragon, cilantro
•Citrus and light cream sauces
•Sorbet, key lime pie, meringue, mango
Chardonnay (white wine): has great acidity, and is good for balancing out rich dishes
•Mild and semi soft cheeses
•Veal, chicken, pork
•Halibut, shrimp, crab, lobster
•Potato, apple, squash, mango
•Tarragon, sesame, basil
•Cream sauces and pesto
•Banana bread, vanilla pudding
Riesling (white wine): great balance between acidity and sweetness
•Havarti and gouda cheeses
•Candied walnuts and pecans
•Smoked sausage, duck, foi gras
•Sea bass and trout
•Apricots, chili peppers, pears
•Rosemary, ginger, Thai and Indian spices
•BBQ, spicy and chutney sauces
•Apple Pie and caramel sauce
Pinot Noir (red wine): heavier wine that can pair with many surprises
•Goat and brie cheeses
•Walnuts
•Lamb, sausage, filet mignon, chicken
•Ahi tuna and salmon
•Mushrooms, dried fruits, figs, strawberries
•Truffle, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove
•Mushroom and light medium red sauces
•Crème brulee and white chocolate
Merlot (red wine): soft berry flavors with eucalyptus flair
•Parmesan and Pecorino-Romano cheeses
•Chestnuts and walnuts
•Grilled meats and steak
•Grilled meatier fishes and ahi tuna
•Caramelized onions, tomatoes, plums
•Mint, rosemary, juniper
•Bolognese and béarnaise sauces
•Dark chocolate, berries, fondue
Cabernet Sauvignon (red wine): bold tannins and fruit flavors
•Cheddar and gorgonzola cheeses
•Walnuts
•Venison, rib eye, beef stew
•Grilled ahi tuna
•Black cherries, tomatoes, broccoli
•Rosemary, juniper, lavender
•Brown and tomato sauces
•Bittersweet chocolate
When hosting an event that includes a meal complimented with wine, it is crucial to take a few elements into consideration. First, focus on the food. What will your food contain, and how much of it? The fat, acid, salt, sweetness, bitterness and texture are all necessary factors to ponder. Then comes the wine—since each wine is so distinctive in its own personal taste, you have to wonder if these elements will be counteractive in allowing the wine to serve guests its best flavor.
Some ideas for food and wine pairings that may help make your holidays a bit more organized are listed below.
Wine Pairings for Your
Holiday Season