Winter is a season for warm fires, family gatherings, and comfort food. While we might not be able to gather as much as we would like this winter, we can still savor the best flavors of the season. Food and wine pairings can feel intimidating, but they don’t have to be. Find out how you can complement all your cold-weather gastronomic delights perfectly with no stress and no fuss.
Learning the Rules of Food and Wine Pairings Before You Break Them
There’s a good argument to be made that some rules are meant to be broken, especially when it comes to food and wine pairings. Still, before you can confidently disregard the guidelines, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with them.
- Consider the Hue – While there are some exceptions, red wines tend to pair best with bold, red meats as a rule. White wines, on the other hand, tend to complement lighter meats like poultry and fish.
- How Sweet It Is (To Pick the Right Wine) – Common preference holds that wine should be sweeter than the food and more acidic. When it comes to flavor profiles, wine and food need to be evenly matched in intensity.
- Cut the Fat – Rich, fatty meals are the backbone of winter sustenance, but they can be overpowering on their own. Pair these dishes with drier, more bitter flavors in the wine to balance against the meal’s fattiness.
- Contrast and Compare – Looking for pairings with a bold contrast? Whites, sparkling wines, and rosé will create a contrasting flavor experience. If you’re in the mood for something a bit more evenly matched and congruent, reds will usually be your best bet.
Armed with this necessary information, you’re able to branch out in experimentation with your pairings confidently.
Bringing the Wine Tasting Home This Winter
Wine tastings look a bit different these days, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of reach. Whether you subscribe to a spectacular wine club or book a socially distant wine tour, you can bring the best flavors of the season home. Find your wine personality type and explore our wine club options to keep your wine cellar stocked through the cold, dark winter.