Wine Pairings
Wine Pairings:
Looking for the right wine to pair with your steak or burger? Thanks to modern wine shops we now have more choices than ever which can be a blessing and a curse. The choices can be overwhelming so we’ve made it easy for you. The first rule when pairing wine with beef is this- if you like it, it’s a good choice. For more formal rules and suggestions, read on.
Red wine is usually recommended for red meat but that won’t help you much when you get to the wine shop. The reason red wine goes so well with beef is this; the acids and tannin present in red wines break down the fat in the beef. This means that with each bite of your steak then sip of your wine, your mouth is cleansed and ready for more.
There are wonderful wines at your fingertips but which one to choose? Relax. To make the best choice for you, start first with what style you are looking for.
“Old World” wine such as those from France, Italy, and Spain are usually more elegant and subtle to showcase the food. Old World wines are usually named for regions where they are grown/made such as Burgundy, Bordeaux, Chianti, etc.
“New World” wines such as those from America and Australia are typically more bold and robust. The varietal name on most New World wine bottles is the name of the grape.
The next step to narrow your search is to select a “varietal”, which is a fancy name for grape. Think of an apple variety; Granny Smith, Gala, Red Delicious, etc. The same applies to grapes with names like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, and so on.
For an easy rule to remember try matching the food style with wine from that region. For example, if you are serving a steak with Italian seasonings try an Italian wine such as Chianti. French foods are typically rich but with more subtle seasonings so a Pinot Noir from Burgundy would work well.
Once you have selected the appropriate varietal based on the cut of meat, sauce, and side dishes, proceed to that isle in the wine shop. Look closely at the label to see where the wine comes from. Knowing where your wine was produced is essential to making an informed selection. Take California as an example; if a wine label reads simply “California” grapes can come from anywhere in the state. Often wineries will be more specific and list a county such as Napa or Sonoma. On the higher quality bottles you will see regions within the county listed such as Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California. When you get to the crème-de-la-crème of wines you find single vineyards listed on the label meaning that the grapes came from one specific site. These wines are usually quite expensive but as the saying goes “you get what you pay for”.
These guidelines should help you narrow your search for a great bottle of wine. The best research is to taste different wines for yourself; experiment with different regions and varietals then choose what fits your palate. Remember, wine is meant to be enjoyed.