What is the best pairing with red wine?
Even though some wine experts declare that red wine should always go with red meat and white wine should go with fish, this is not a “law.” Everyone has different tastes and likes, and when it comes to drinking red wine, you can consume it with any foods you like. Certain foods are recommended with a full-bodied red wine pairing because the pairing can better bring out the flavors of the beverage, mask the acidity, and make the food taste a lot better.
WHAT FOODS DO YOU PAIR WITH FULL-BODIED RED WINE?
1. Burgundy is a full-bodied red wine with flavors of dark chocolate and red berries. It tastes great with many classic Italian foods, like pasta, lasagna, vermicelli, meatballs, and so on. These foods can dull the acidity of the wine and bring out the fruity flavors, making the food taste great. Other wines that also go well with Italian food include Malbec, Barolo, and Chanti.
2. Cabernet is another full-bodied red wine often paired with meat dishes like the grilled blue cheeseburger, breaded cutlets, kibbeh, steaks, lamb chops, and grilled, barbecued meats. These foods will reveal the fruity flavors of cabernet and allow you to enjoy each mouthful of the tender meat. Other wines that also go well with meat dishes include Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Zinfandels.
3. Red wine and cheese is an essential combination. If you will be drinking a full-bodied red wine, it is important to select the appropriate cheese because these beverages can easily overpower the flavor of delicate cheese. Therefore, it is important to choose red wine, like cabernet or pinot noir, when consuming fine or soft cheeses, like feta. If you are sipping Cabernet Sauvignon or Port, it goes better with aged or fermented cheeses to balance the taste. Another great wine that goes with most cheeses is Beaujolais.
4. Shiraz is a full-bodied red wine that can leave an acidic taste. But if you combine it with pecan pie, you will have the time of your life. The toasted and nutty combination of the pie with the flavorful wine will allow you to have an excellent finish to your dinner. When you are eating a sweet dessert, you essentially want to have high alcohol and acidity wine. Let’s say you will not go wrong with Merlot, Lambrusco, Dolcetto, and most port wines for a strawberry cheesecake.
5. If you love burgers with sauteed onions, mushrooms, heavy slices of American cheese, and topped with tomatoes, then select Malbec. Both Merlot and Malbec also go well with spicy foods. The fruity flavor of the wines will pair well with the aromatic spices of the burger, making it an enjoyable meal. If the burger contains veggie meat and is light, go with Pinot Noir.
There are many different combinations of full-bodied red wines and food. In the end, it is a matter of personal preference. What do you pair red wine with? In general, full-bodied red wines that have a high concentration of alcohol are often rich in flavors. To balance the taste, order foods heavier in spices and calories so that the acidity can be lowered and the taste can be equalized.
Pacific Rim and Company is located in the Pacific Northwest. With an online presence, Pacific Rim and Company representatives are available to answer your wine questions and offer selections that are sure to please your palette.