Pairing Food and Wine

Opinions vary when it comes to pairing food and wine. Some people believe that certain rules are set in stone. They will argue that only red wines should be served with beef and only white wines should be served with fish.

On the other hand, some will argue that by setting rules as to how you pair food with wine, you miss out on many enjoyable and delicious combinations.

We tend to agree with the latter argument. If you love red wine, why should you force yourself to drink white wine just because that is what the "experts" say you should do? Pairing wine and food is very personal. Each of us has different tastes, and what we think is a great combination may not be quite as enjoyable to you.

So my advice is to drink what you like. If you can't get enough Merlot, thats fine. You can enjoy it with whatever you serve for dinner.

That said, we know you are looking for some more specific suggestions for pairing food and wine. So we provide you a list that you can use as a starting guide. But keep in mind this is a list of suggestions, not rules. You should feel free to try any combintaion you like.

And always try new wines! That is the only way to learn which you really like the best!

Suggestions for Pairing Food and Wine.

Most Fish and Shellfish - Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or Pinot Grigio

Salmon - Pinot Noir, red Burgundy, or Merlot

Red Snapper - Pinot Noir or Merlot

Caviar - Champagne or Sparling Wine

Steak - Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Bourdeaux or Merlot

Barbeque - Syrah, Zinfandel, or Sauvignon Blanc

Roast - Red Bourdeaux or Cabernet Sauvignon

Hamburger - Syrah or Merlot

Venison - Red Bourdeaux or Cabernet Sauvignon

Duck - Merlot, Chianti, or Syrah

Lamb - Cabernet Sauvignon, red Bourdeaux, or Chianti

Pork - Pinot Noir, red Burgundy, or Merlot

Chicken - Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or Syrah

Turkey - Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or Zinfandel

Pasta - Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or Syrah

Cheese - Port, Sauvignon Blanc, red Bourdeaux or Cabernet Sauvignon

Fresh Fruit - Riesling or Chardonnay

Chocolate - Port or Cabernet Sauvignon