Wine, wine, and more wine! With more and more people being willing to try different wines these days, the selection can be overwhelming when it comes to pairing your wines with specific types of cuisine. While some pairings work better than others, it’s important to figure out what types of wines go well with your specific dishes. In this guide, we’ll break down the best wines for each type of cuisine, so you’ll never have to worry about finding the perfect glass again!
Asian cuisines
Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio are both perfect partners with Asian cuisines, especially because they contain moderate levels of acidity. The acid in these wines balances out fried dishes and fish as well as enhances soups and noodle dishes. These wine pairings also work well with Sushi. If you’re planning on having a glass or two with your meal, white wine is probably better than red because it goes nicely with sweet sushi dishes like California rolls.
Italian cuisines
Chianti, Pinot Grigio, Verdicchio; red wines such as Barbera or Sangiovese (flavors include black cherry and blackberry) are also good choices for your meal. Keep in mind that Chianti is better served at room temperature to get its full flavor. Sangiovese should be drunk young so don’t purchase too many bottles; it’s better on its own rather than mixed with other ingredients. When choosing wine for Italian pasta and pizza, you will want something light but flavorful. The wine should complement rather than overpower your food. A lighter-bodied white wine such as Pinot Grigio is perfect here because it doesn’t overpower any flavors while still adding depth to your dish.
Mexican cuisines
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are two red wine varieties that go nicely with Mexican-style dishes. While reds are a popular choice, you can also try Chardonnay which has an apple flavor that’s somewhat similar to cilantro, a key ingredient in many Mexican dishes. If you’re looking for some alternatives to white wine, Sauvignon Blanc is also a good choice.
Steak and chicken
Zinfandel, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Bordeaux. For lighter dishes with red meat and chicken, stick to a lighter wine like Riesling or Gewurztraminer. For duck or goose dishes, try a nice Chenin Blanc or Albarino from Spain.
Other cuisines (Indian, Thai, etc.)
While Italian and French cuisines are undoubtedly romantic, there’s something undeniably sensual about a plate of sizzling Thai green curry served with crisp white wine or a mouth-watering South Indian meal complemented by a cool glass of pinot grigio. While you can pair your favorite dishes with whatever kind of wine you want, here are some recommendations on what to serve in specific situations.
Takeaways
Depending on what kind of wine you're drinking, there are a few things you can do to prepare your taste buds and maximize your enjoyment. For example, if you have a red that's being served at room temperature, it’s important to let it sit out for about 30 minutes prior to drinking. Red wine should be served in narrow glasses because wide-rimmed glasses will trap too much heat, causing your wine to lose its optimal flavors. If white is on tap, serve it at 45 degrees or cooler.