As you explore more wines, much like coffee, you start to appreciate the flavours on a deeper level. I still remember my first glass of wine—a sweet Moscato, perfect for pairing with dessert. While I appreciate that every wine has its purpose, I’ve realized that I’m not a fan of extremely sweet wines, unless it’s just a small pour alongside a delicious dessert at a nice dinner.
Finding what works for you is key, and another important factor is finding a food pairing. A common mistake is letting food pairings outweigh your personal taste preferences. Just because a wine is paired with something complementary doesn’t mean you’ll suddenly enjoy it, especially if it’s too sweet, too dry, or too acidic for your liking.
For this first post, I want to share some characteristic of a wine, grapes that align with it, and a food pairing to go with it. It could even be a fun activity for a girls' night—testing these combinations with your friends! Bonus points if you all have different taste profiles and get to enjoy a bottle of wine each. ;)
I wanted to kick things off with four popular wine varieties, along with their tasting notes and ideal pairings:
Tasting Notes: Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand, is fresh, crisp, dry, and full of acidity. That zingy tartness always reminds me of biting into a fresh apple. (Note: Sauvignon Blanc is the grape variety).
- Let’s Pair: This wine is perfect with fatty or oily foods. Try it with something like fish tacos or even a simple plate of nachos and guacamole. The bright acidity really balances out the richness of the food, making each bite and sip more enjoyable!
Tasting Notes: Oaked Chardonnay tends to have flavours of butter, vanilla, and stone fruit, with a smooth, creamy mouthfeel and low acidity. It’s rich and velvety on the palate. (Note: "Oaked" refers to the process of aging wine in a wooden barrel, and Chardonnay is the grape variety).
- Let’s Pair: This wine is amazing with creamy or buttery dishes. A classic match would be Chicken Alfredo, where the wine’s smooth texture really complements the richness of the dish.
Tasting Notes: Beaujolais Gamay is light, bright, and fresh, bursting with vibrant red fruit flavours, often with a hint of banana or bubblegum. It’s a fun, fruit-forward wine that’s easy to sip and enjoy. (Note: Beaujolais is the region in France, and Gamay is the grape variety).
- Let’s Pair: Gamay pairs wonderfully with charcuterie meats, cheeses, olives, pickles, and other savoury snacks. It’s the perfect wine to serve with a spread of appetizers or for a light meal.
Tasting Notes: Cabernet Sauvignon is bold and rich, with flavours of tart black cherry and a touch of smoke or spice. It’s a deep, complex wine that really makes an impression. (Note: Cabernet Sauvignon is a cross between two grape varieties: Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc).
- Let’s Pair: This wine pairs best with hearty, flavourful dishes like steak or a juicy burger. The wine’s intensity and richness balance perfectly with the richness of the food, making it a great match!
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I want to drink wine with you!
Excellent and so knowledgeable.
Mmmm....Cab Saaaavvvvvv..... you need to come home for a visit so we can sample more bottles♥️
What a great breakdown!! I’ll be saving this to come back to when I’m looking for that perfect pairing