While there’s no doubt that most wines go down decadently without the need for any complimentary additions, there’s also no denying the culinary fact that specific wines can enhance the flavors of certain meats and vice versa. Even though pairing the wrong wine with a meat dish won’t be the worst culinary mistake you can make, learning which wines to pair with particular meats will genuinely add to the taste adventure. Whether you are enjoying meals alone, with your significant other, or with a party of guests, pairing meals with mouth-watering wines can boost the taste experience dramatically. So, we have compiled this guide to pairing wine and meat to help you get started on your culinary adventure.
Buying Decadent Wines
Before you start searching for recipes to pair with your bottles, you should know which wines to buy. Not all wines are made equally, as lower shelf options that sell for shockingly low prices are not the best option for a meal pairing. Unfortunately, cheap wines don’t carry rich flavors or aromas, and they hold no allure other than their pocket-friendly price tags. Instead, it would be best to consider quality wines, such as creations from women winemakers and top-rated brands that are well-known for a good reason. The quality of the wine you buy will impact the pairing compatibility, so it is best to spend a little more and do a bit of research to determine which bottles are worth buying. You could consider reading a few wine buying guides to extend your knowledge of the wine buying world. Once you know how to identify the best bottle in terms of quality, we have listed the best types of meat to pair with specific types of wines.
Lean Red Meats And Lighter Red Wines
More often than not, leaner red meats should be paired with light red wines; the leaner the meat, the lighter the red wine should be. Therefore, you can pair your lean steaks, rib-eye, lambs, and other lean red meat dishes perfectly with a quality Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz. These light red wines will bring out the rich flavor of the meat dishes you create without overpowering your taste buds as a rich or dry red wine would. Pairing red meats with wine are significantly straightforward, as long as you keep in mind that lighter meats pair best with lighter reds. Dry red wines would pair best with lamb roasts and braised lamb shanks, thick cuts of steaks and other heavier red meats. Generally, it would be ideal if you only paired dry red wines with rich red meats.
Seafood, Fish And White Wine
While white wine is best for fish and seafood dishes, the particular type of white wine will depend on the specific type of dish you are creating. Flaky fish dishes such as sea bass and hake pair perfectly with white wines such as Pinot Grigio or Semillion. These whites are refreshing and zesty, complimenting the texture and flavors of flaky fish dishes. On the other hand, meatier fish dishes such as swordfish or salmon will match best with an oaked Chardonnay or a Viognier white wine. When it comes to pairing various kinds of seafood such as prawns, oysters, and other sea delicacies, it is best to opt for an unoaked white wine such as a classic Sauvignon Blanc. Seafood is quite simple to pair with white wines, and you can also explore your flavor pairing further by opting for fruity white wine bottles.
Chicken, Poultry And White Wine
Chicken, turkey, and other meats always pair best with white wines, just as seafood and fish dishes. White meat goes best with a Chardonnay or a Sauvignon Blanc white wine. When it comes to pairing dark meat poultry such as duck and game meats with wine, a bottle of medium-bodied red wine is best, such as a Pinot Noir or a Cabernet Sauvignon. However, the specifics of your recipe will determine which wine is best; lighter meals pair well with white wines while richer, more flavorful meals pair best with medium-bodied red wines. So, a roasted pork recipe may pair best with a glass of red wine if the other ingredients complement the rich flavor of your medium-bodied wine choice.
Pork And Red Or White Wine
While pork is technically white meat, it goes well with either red or white wines more often than not. When preparing a pork dish and finding the best wine to pair it with, you should determine the bottle according to the other ingredients used in your meal. Therefore, red wines will be perfect for hearty pork dishes that are packed with rich, decadent flavors, while lighter pork dishes that are less rich pair well with fruity white wines. Pork is exceptionally versatile meat with various cuts offering different flavors and textures. It is best to start pairing pork with wine based on the recipe you choose instead of the meat itself.
Pairing meat and wine will be a bit of a confusing challenge at first, although with time, you will gather expertise and know which wine will go best with your culinary creation almost out of instinct. While you are still navigating the technique of pairing wine and meat as a beginner, it is best to delve into some research that will uncover the best bottles of specific wines. Adding to your knowledge of wine is as important as preparing your chosen recipes correctly. It won’t do well to reach for any ordinary bottle of wine when pairing, especially if you are hosting an exciting dinner party or preparing a romantic meal for two. However, it is crucial always to practice some level of creativity in the kitchen while considering the pairing guidelines. If you imagine a certain wine would go well with a recipe you have been dying to try, you should consider pairing the two as a tester as you may find that your taste buds are adept enough to find all-new wine pairing suggestions.
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