A great dining experience can be the highlight of an important celebration. Everybody wants to enjoy a good conversation over good food and a great-tasting wine.
But as with all other fine dining pairings, matching food and wine doesn’t need to be highly intricate. Keeping it simple and doing it correctly can elevate the experience altogether.
Here are some helpful things to know when pairing wine with food.
1. Talk To Someone Passionate About Wine
If you’re serious about stepping up your food and wine pairing game, a good starting point in learning would be to talk to someone who’s hugely devoted to good taste.
Look for passionate beverage experts because they’re vital sources of wine knowledge. They will make sure you’re well-informed in your beverage selection decisions.
Experts from wine stores such as Fine Wine Delivery are dedicated to helping you choose the perfect beverage for your next big occasion.
2. Prefer What You Like
Another fundamental thing to remember when trying to have great wine and dine experience is selecting the food and wine you desire. No meal at any point has been entirely ruined by an ‘incorrect’ food and wine pairing.
The key is simple: Don’t overcomplicate things. Prioritize your preference.
3. Achieving Balance
After choosing the perfect food-wine pairing you desire, another thing you should consider is their balance. These pairings have unique ‘richness’ or ‘weight’ that can be overwhelming or underwhelming if paired incorrectly.
Pairing them needs a sizeable amount of instinct. A light Soave can complement a light meal, such as a subtly flavored fish, because both are striking equals. Contrastingly, a cabernet sauvignon harmonizes with a roasted lamb chop because they’re equally robust.
The main contributor to the weight of the food is its fat. It includes what comes from its preparation and cooking method. For wine, clues are on its color, variety, alcohol level, winemaking technique, and originating region.
In addition, wines with an alcohol level of less than 12% are typically lighter-bodied.
4. Match Prominent Elements Of The Dish
An essential step in fine-tuning your wine pairings is to identify the critical elements of a dish. Look for that distinctive flavor. They could come in the form of its sauce or the seasonings used. Sometimes, it’s the method of cooking that matters instead of the included ingredients.
Take these examples: A browned chicken cooked in dark wine and mushrooms slant toward a supple red wine. While the simplicity of a chicken poached in creamy, lemon sauce leans toward a clear white. Subtle details such as this could be a determinant for your wine selection.
5. Don’t Forget The Dessert
A commonly overlooked factor in wine selection is the dessert delicacies. The main thing to consider in a sweet pairing is that the wine, by all means, should be sweeter than the dessert. This subtle reminder will ensure that the wine retains its character and won’t taste dull.
Icing On The Cake
Learn the basics, and don’t forget to enjoy the process. With time and experience, you’ll be able to come up with spectacular pairings that will dramatically enhance your dining experience.
Also, keep in mind to consider your personal preferences. Nothing beats a great dining experience indulging the pairings you genuinely love!
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