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Pairing Food & Wine.

September 6, 2012 by Carolina

One of life’s little pleasures is having a good glass of wine; one of it’s greatest is to have the wine bring out the flavor of the meal you’re enjoying — at least that’s the opinion of this wino, who loves her food & wine! There’s a common misconception that eating healthy means you can’t have alcohol, which I don’t believe to be true. In my experience, having a couple of glasses of wine a week is not going to make you unhealthy, as a matter of fact, it may have the opposite effect.

Several scientific studies claim one glass of wine is good for the heart, but that’s not why I say it may have the opposite effect. I say that because I’m a firm believer of rewarding yourself & enjoying things in moderation: Completely cutting off something you enjoy is not sustainable. For me that’s wine & beer, I really enjoy them so I make sure to incorporate them as a treat here & there.

I know Katie can’t enjoy wine with me right now because she’s pregnant but today’s post is dedicated to all my fellow winos out there. When someone tells me they don’t like wine my first question always is: What did you have the wine with? Pairing wine with the right food can make the world of difference, not only for the wine but for the food: pick the right pairing & watch magic happen!

I’m no sommelier but I know the basics of food & wine pairings. Want to know what wine to serve with the meal you’re making today? Or what to order when you’re out to dinner? Follow these simple pairing rules & you’ll be golden:

Cabernet Sauvignon: This wine is commonly served at dinner because of its full flavor. Cabernet Sauvignon is great to enjoy with “meatier” dishes that have mushrooms, eggplant & gravy sauces. It’s also great with cheddar, gorgonzola & walnuts.

Chardonnay: America’s favorite wine, Chardonnay goes great with roasted & grilled dishes! If you’re enjoying it at home make sure to keep it chilled & take out of the fridge 20 minutes before enjoying for it taste its best. Enjoy with dishes that have basil, spinach, cream sauce base dishes & asiago cheese. It’s also great to enjoy on a hot summer day!

Merlot: I’m going to come out & say it — I’m not a big fan of Merlot. Merlot is similar to Cabernet Sauvignon but tends to be paired with lighter dishes. Merlot also compliments mushrooms & also goes really well with strong cheeses & chocolate.

Pinot Grigio: With great citrus flavors, Pinot Grigio is a great drinking wine all on its own. It also goes great with pastas, gouda & swiss cheese. Try it with pears & apricots for a sweet & delicious treat.

Shiraz: Bold & spicy, shiraz is my absolute favorite wine. I love to have it with beets, tomato-based dishes, sharp cheddar & really rich chocolate desserts.

Are you ready for a glass of wine? I sure am! A healthy lifestyle is not only about eating well but also taking advantage of life’s little pleasures — all in moderation. Cheers!

What’s your favorite food & wine pairing?