Pairing Foods with Wine

Quick and Easy Wine Pairing Guide 

The most common assumption when pairing foods with wine is that red wine goes with red meat, and white wine goes with white meat – which, actually, isn’t a bad guideline. If you really want to pair properly, there are many more (and better) tips worth remembering. First, replace the above “rule-of-thumb” with the following:

• Lighter white wines go well with lighter foods and heavy red wines go well with heavy foods.
• While the above line is true, opposites also attract.

Now, because we know not all pairings are as simple as red wine and chocolate, here’s a quick and easy wine pairing guide to reference when searching for the perfect wine to enhance the flavors of your meal:

White Wine Pairings

• Sauvignon Blanc—Grilled veggies/creamy dressings and sauces/citrus infused dishes
• Grüner Veltiner—Asian cuisine/Sushi/dishes with a lot of fresh herbs and spices
• Pinot Grigio—Light dishes or as an aperitif to start the party
• Chardonnay—Buttery, fatty fish or fish in a rich sauce
• Riesling—Smoked trout/smoked game/light fish and spicy dishes
• Moscato d’asti—Fruity desserts {or any dessert for that matter}

Red Wine Pairings

• Pinot Noir—Grilled salmon/rack of lamb
• Malbec—Any dish with barbeque sauce or BBQ meats
• Zinfandel—BBQ ribs/spicy terrine or meatloaf/roasted chicken
• Cabernet—Red meats, roasts or steaks
• Rioja—Grilled meats and empanadas
• Côtes du Rhône—A versatile wine that pairs well with pizza, hamburgers or pork chops

Rosé Wine Pairings

• Tavel Rosé—Salad nicoise, cheesy dishes {Try a glass of rosé with a grilled cheese sandwich and you’ll understand}

• Rosé Champagne—Pairs well with almost anything (a great way to start an evening)

We can’t make the meal for you but we can make the meal memorable. Whether looking to pair your wine to your meal, or your meal to your wine, we’ve got you covered. Stop by your local Haskell’s wine store with your questions. We are always happy to help. 

Founded in 1934, Haskell’s has championed fine wines for over 80 years. With 13 wine stores in Minnesota, Haskell’s ships throughout the U.S. and delivers locally. As one of the top wine shops in North America, Haskell’s is known for legendary service and one of the finest collections of wine, beer and spirits. Led by Chairman and CEO Jack Farrell, and the Farrell family, Haskell’s continues to be at the forefront of the wine scene throughout the world.