Wine and Food Pairing

Wine and Food Pairing Guide (from Vindulge)

  

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Red Bordeaux & Meritage (blends)

Blackberry, boysenberry, raspberry, blueberry, plum, cherry, black currant, cassis, tea, cocoa, tobacco, green olive, vanilla, oak, smoky, mint, eucalyptus, chocolate

Lamb and beef dishes like stews.

Steak with rich sauces.
Duck, pheasants and other games.
Beef and chicken fajitas.
Chocolate desserts.
Smoked gouda cheese, cheddar cheese, and Camembert cheese.

 

Zinfandel

Blackberry, boysenberry, raspberry, jam, plum, raisin, prune, rhubarb, pomegranate, vanilla. Spice (cinnamon, clove, black pepper)

Stews, pot roast.

Dishes with tomato and tomato sauces.
Pizza with red sauce.
Grilled or smoked meats.
Spicy meat dishes and curries.
Thanksgiving dinner.
 

Pinot Noir

Cherry (red, black, dried), blueberries, blackberries, raspberry, strawberry, rhubarb, pomegranate, mushrooms, earth (barnyard), smoke, vanilla, oak, cola, coffee, rose, tea

Great for dishes with earthy flavors.

Games like pheasants, wild boar, rabbit, quail, pigeon, and venison.
Casseroles of beef and chicken.
Salmon, lamb, pork, and mushroom dishes.

 

Syrah

Blackberry, boysenberry, blueberry, jam, plum, prune, cherry, currant. Smoke, black pepper, white pepper, leather, vanilla, chocolate. Spices (clove, cinnamon).

Roasted meat, game

Spicy or heavily seasoned meats or hearty dishes.
Rich beef casseroles and games.
Barbecued meats (beef, ribs, lamb, pork).
Rich Vegetarian dishes.
Dark Chocolate.

 

Sparkling/Champagne/Prosecco

Toast, yeast, nuts, Green apple, cherry, strawberry

Salty foods like potato chips

hors d’oeuvres, caviar
smoked salmon, shrimp, & Chinese food.
Oysters
Egg dishes.
Intensely flavored and rich food like the foie gras.

 

Chardonnay
(can be oaked or unoaked)
Green apple, pear, peach, melon. Citrus (lemon, lime, orange). Tropical fruits (pineapple, passion fruit, guava). Toast, baked bread, butter, vanilla, hazelnut, oak

Fatty fish dishes or dishes in rich sauces.
Gently flavored pasta dishes and risotto.
Chicken and shellfish recipes with cream based sauces.
Pork.
Eastern and Indian dishes with creamy coconut sauces.
 

Sauvignon Blanc

Citrus: grapefruit, lemon, lime Melon, pear, fig, pineapple, passion fruit, quince, grassy, lemongrass, gooseberry

Goes well with tart sauces & dressings.

Goat cheese, asparagus, shellfish, chicken
Fish dishes with a squeeze of lemon
Japanese dishes like shashimi.
White fish and seafood
Salad, chicken salad and garden salad.
Vegetable and vegetable soups.
 

Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio)

Peach, pear, lime, lemon, apple, apricot, nuts (nuttiness), minerals, lemongrass

Especially well with light fish dishes and foods high in acid.

Chicken salad. Mildly spicy chicken.
Oysters, smoked salmon.
Fresh vegetables.
Pasta with garlic pesto.
 

Riesling

Apples, pear, peach, apricot, lychee. Floral (jasmine, rose, orchid). Honey, petroleum, minerals, stones, chalk

Pair with sweet and spicy dishes.

Pecan pie, sweet fruit pies and tarts and fruit custards.
Chinese and Thai foods.
Japanese dishes like sushi, sashimi, wasabi, tempura and teriyaki.
Pork and duck with fruit sauces.
Smoked fish pates.