| There are some basic wine and food pairing rules | | | | be paired with a sauce that is heavy or spicy. This |
| that will help you mix together the right combination | | | | changes the definition of light, and now that dish |
| of flavors that will improve your dining experience. A | | | | might be better paired with a red wine or Rose or a |
| great wine pairing can make your dining memorable | | | | wine that has a bit more spice. |
| and a wrong combination can contribute to a poor | | | | A multiple choice meal, requires more than one wine |
| dining experience. Of the basic wine and food pairing | | | | choice. |
| rules, the number one rule for you to remember is to | | | | When you are having a multiple course meal, you |
| pick a wine that you will enjoy. If you really have a | | | | should have more than one wine choice. To make |
| preference for white wines versus red wines, then | | | | one wine work for an multiple course meal would be |
| its okay for you to choose your favorite type of | | | | difficult because of the multiple of flavors. If possible, |
| wine with your meal. | | | | choose a wine that is appropriate for the appetizer |
| To choose the right wine for dining, consider these | | | | or first course, and then change the wine for the |
| four questions. | | | | main dish, and then change the wine again for the |
| There are four question that will help you make the | | | | dessert choice. |
| best wine decision for your meal. (1) What is the | | | | Start off with a lighter wine (usually white, or light |
| main dish? Is it fish, chicken or beef? (2) Will it be | | | | tasting wines) and then move to the more full-bodied |
| roasted, grilled or pan-fried? (3) Does the dish come | | | | types of wine (red wines and burgundy's) and then |
| with a sauce and if so, what kind of sauce? (4) Will | | | | move to the dessert wines (ports & muscats.) |
| there be any side dishes and how will their flavors | | | | Wines that have low acid can often be overwhelmed |
| impact your wine choice? There are many different | | | | even with foods that are light in taste. Wines that |
| types of wine choices available today, so the basic | | | | are high in acid works best with most foods, even |
| wine rules may not always apply, but generally | | | | though in some occasions they may not work well as |
| speaking these rules remain for the most part, still | | | | a sipping wine without being accompanied by food. |
| accurate for helping you make the right wine choice: | | | | The following examples of going from light to more |
| white wines with poultry and fish, and red wines with | | | | full-bodied wines are: White Zinfandel, Riesling, Pinot |
| beef. | | | | Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewrztraminer and Chardonnay. |
| Keep "wine power," in mind, when choosing your | | | | In the red wines, go from the lighter tasting red |
| wines. | | | | wines to red wines that are more full-bodied: Pinot |
| Generally speaking, red wines will work best with | | | | Noir, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. |
| dishes that are rich, heavy and have a big flavor. | | | | Choosing a wine that you know you like, works |
| When choosing a beef main dish think about the | | | | every time. |
| powerful strength of the flavors of beef. To enhance | | | | The four questions guideline will help you to pair the |
| a beef main dish it should be served with a powerful | | | | right wine with your meal selection. When in doubt |
| wine. This rule also is effective for dishes that are | | | | ask your table server to suggest appropriate wine |
| served in rich, thick, heavy, full-of-herbs types of | | | | choices for you. Be sure and tell them the type of |
| sauces. The reason why red wines and beef goes | | | | wine you prefer, so they can keep that in mind |
| well together is that red wines contains tannins which | | | | before coming up with their recommendations. They |
| mixes with proteins, allowing the flavors to blend well | | | | should provide you with at least three to four great |
| together. White wines do not contain tannins and | | | | wine pairing choices in different price ranges. If you |
| therefore generally do not work well with red meats. | | | | get a bottle or a glass of wine that you don't like, |
| White wines works best with light foods, such as | | | | then feel comfortable in sending it back and |
| chicken, turkey or fish. Color and the aromatic smells | | | | requesting a new bottle or a new wine pour. When it |
| of the flavors influence taste buds and wines that | | | | comes to choosing a wine with your meal, choosing a |
| are lighter, such as white wines, will complement the | | | | wine that you like is the most important wine rule to |
| meal and not overpower the flavors of the foods. | | | | follow. |
| Sometimes even foods that are light in nature, can | | | | |