The rules for wine and food are simple: red with meat and white with fish. Similarly, it should always be white in summer and red in winter. At least that’s what most people think. But there’s no need to be so rigid when it comes to food and wine. Here are some unconventional wine and food matching choices that are just as delicious.
Delicious but unconventional wine and food matching options
Free your mind when it comes to choosing wine for your dinner party. Take a look at these pairings and give them a go next time you’re wondering what to drink with your dinner. Here are some unconventional wine and food matching choices that are just as delicious.
1. White wine and cheese
Traditionally, it’s always red wine with the cheese board. But many French cheese producers believe white wine works best. Sweet wines go perfectly with salty blue cheeses, for example. It also works well with creamy mild cheeses, such as camembert and brie.
2. Sparkling rosé and steak
Ask anyone you know, and they’ll more than likely say it has to be a rich, deep red wine for steak. But try your next steak with a sparkling rose, whether a Champagne or from another region, and you’ll discover why it goes so well with a medium rare, perfectly cooked piece of steak.
3. Sauvignon blanc and salt and vinegar crisps
Well, we did say these pairings are unconventional! According to wine director Ferguson Nagan, any Sauvignon Blanc goes beautifully with salt and vinegar crisps. He told the Spectator Wine that it’s his favourite unconventional wine and food pairing. And if olives are more your style of snack, try a Sicilian white wine.
4. Red wine and chicken
White wine is always touted as the best choice for chicken dishes. But it’s most definitely not the only option that works. Try a red wine with a roast chicken. It may surprise you.
5. Rosé and fish
White is also the first choice for fish due to the low tannin content in its grapes. Tannins are responsible for any sharp or bitter flavours in your wine, and when paired with fish can leave a hint of iron on the palate. Examples of high tannin grapes include Nebbiolo, Cabernet and Sangiovese. However, that doesn’t mean you have to choose white for your fish dish. Instead try low tannin wines, such as rosé, Champagne or a red made with Rossesse, Grenache or Pinot Noir grapes.
6. Sparkling wine and a rich dessert
Rather than choosing a sticky, sweet dessert wine or another glass of red, opt for a sparkler for your dessert. In general, you should avoid wines that are the same level of sweetness as your dessert. However, prosecco, Champagne and demi-sec are all bubbly and forgiving with flavour.
7. Chardonnay and popcorn
Popcorn is full of toasty flavours of the corn itself, and either a savoury or sweet finish. A creamy Chardonnay goes really well with this popular snack and could really lift movie time into something special.
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to pairing wine with food. The best thing to do is try different combinations until you find your favourite.
