Our Top Tips for Perfect Pairing of Wine and Food
There are few things more relaxing than sitting back with a wonderful meal and a glass of wine. But many don’t realize how essential it is to match the right wine with the right food. A well-paired wine enhances flavours, while the wrong choice can overpower the palate and ruin even the best cooking!
At Erin Hampers, we specialise in curating beautiful culinary experiences. Let us help you navigate the tricky waters of sommelier knowledge with our ultimate guide to food and wine pairing…
Types of Wine
Red Wine
Made from red grapes, red wines are generally full-bodied with a slightly higher alcohol content. They can be categorized into three main types:
- Fruity Dry
- Herbal Dry
- Sweet
Red wines also have numerous subcategories, which can be daunting for beginners. The key is to trust your taste buds and enjoy the process.
White Wine
Typically made from white grapes, though red grapes can occasionally be used. White wines fall into two main categories:
- Sweet (such as Riesling or Gewürztraminer)
- Dry (such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
Rosé Wine
Crafted using techniques like bleeding, pressing, limited maceration, or runoff, rosé wines are made from red grape varietals. They range from dry (Pinot Noir Rosé) to sweet and semi-sweet (White Zinfandel).
Sparkling Wines
Available in various colours, from white to rosé and red, these wines undergo a secondary fermentation to produce bubbles. Ideal for celebrations, popular types include Champagne, Crémant, Cava, and Prosecco.
Dessert Wines
Predominantly sweet (although some may lean towards dry) and fortified with spirits, dessert wines can be red or white.
Pairing Wine with Food
With the vast array of wines available, there’s always a perfect match for every dish. Here’s how to create harmonious pairings:
Identify Flavours
- Bitter: Found mostly in red wines.
- Sweet: Common in whites, rosés, sparkling, and dessert wines.
- Acidic: Predominantly found in white and sparkling wines.
Assess Texture
The wine’s "body" refers to how it feels in the mouth:
- Light-bodied: Wines under 12.5% alcohol.
- Medium-bodied: Wines between 12.5% and 13.5% alcohol.
- Full-bodied: Wines over 13.5% alcohol.
Choose a Pairing Approach
Next, decide the direction of your pairing. Would you prefer to match similar flavours together, or provide a contrast? These different approaches to food pairing are known as congruent (for instance, pairing beef and mushroom together, as they have many shared compounds); and complimentary (coconut and chocolate share few features but go together well).
Finally, some considerations and suggestions:
Your wine should always be more acidic than the food. So if you are eating something particularly acidic, for instance with vinegar or lemon juice, you should look towards white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc or Champagnes. For those lucky enough to have one of our Indulgent Gift Hampers, you could pair our Irish Goats Cheese with the delicious bottle of CA’VIVE Prosecco.
Red wines such as our Saint Marc Reserve Merlot from Erin’s Classic Hampers go perfectly with rich meals such as pastas, bolognaise, and pepperoni.
Match flavours of a similar intensity – delicate foods with delicate wines, bold foods with bold wines. Our Classic Hamper gives you this choice – the dry French Sauvignon is perfect to sip whilst nibbling Keogh’s fine crisps; or crack open the Merlot to enjoy Sheridan’s crackers with some cheese and preserves.
Embrace the Experience
The world of wine and food pairing can feel complex, but the only rule really is to experiment and enjoy the journey!
At Erin Hampers, we’ve curated an exquisite range of hampers to deliver the ultimate culinary experience. As Cork’s leading online hamper store, we offer a wide selection of luxury food and gift hampers, delivering throughout Cork and across Ireland.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like some advice or our food and wine pairing recommendations for your next celebration. It’s a topic we’re passionate about!