7 Wine Pairings that will Impress Your Guests
One of our most popular posts on Aspire-Canada was a post featuring New York’s Top Wine Lists from famed Sommelier Garret Smith. In that post, Smith went through the wine lists of famed restaurants around New York City that are of the same caliber as the one where has worked and selected value wines that would pair along with the cuisine of that particular restaurant.
Mother’s Day is coming up – if you’re preparing a special meal to celebrate with family and friends then read on! We’ve mixed in a few suggestions below to help you get started and if you’ve already started and are running last then feel free to print this list and take with you!
1. If you’re cooking a light pasta or fish dish…
Serve white wine with a subtle finish.
Try: An Italian Pinot Grigio or French Chablis
Suggestions: A 2013 Riesling from Kuen Hof ($53), near the border of Austria, a dry and pleasantly fruity take on the grape which is catching hold in Italy. Another is to look to is the Santorini ($21.95). The Thalassitis Assyrtiko ($23.95 ) is salty, fresh, crisp, and brings to life the flavors in such fresh fish presentations.
If you’re serving highly acidic dishes…
Choose a wine with high acidity so the flavors don’t compete.
Try: A Sauvignon Blanc or a Portuguese Vinho Verde
Suggestions: Aveleda Vinho Verde ($9.95).
3. If you’re serving spicy fare…
Asian, Thai or Indian are well-paired with a sweet wine.
Try: A sweeter Riesling, Gewurtztraminer, or Vouvray
Suggestions: Bougrier Vouvray Chenin Blanc ($13.95)
4. If you’re serving a red meat dish…
Drink heavier reds. You’re looking for wines that hold up with rich tannins, or the “puckery” feeling you get with each sip of a good red.
Try: Cabernet Sauvignon or Bordeaux
Suggestions: Cheval Noir Bordeaux AOC ($19.95)
5. If you’re serving fatty fish…
Serve heavier wine. A silky, oaky white works beautifully here, but so do well-chosen earthy reds!
Try: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir or Nebbiolo
Suggestions: Essence Pinot Noir 2010 ($44.95)
6. If you’re serving cheese…
Break out dry sparkling wines to accompany heavier or saltier fare like cheese or oysters.
Try: Champagne, Spanish Cava or Italian Prosecco
Suggestions: ‘ALEXANDER’ GRAPPA PROSECCO ($44.95)
7. If you’re serving pizza…
Reach for a light bodied red wine, since you the freshness and acidity pairs perfectly.
Try: Chianti or Italian Pinot Noir
Suggestions: Siduri Pinot Noir 2012 ($50.00 at LCBO).