Pairing Wine With Food
Music and dancing. Food and wine. At AJA Vineyards, our wines are crafted with care to pair well with a wide range of dishes. You’ve probably heard rules of thumb like “never pair red with fish,” or “a bold red pairs best with a bolognese,” without ever hearing the reasoning behind them. There are actually several factors at play that determine whether a wine and a dish will bring out the best in each other.
The main objective when pairing wine with food is to complement each other, not overpower one another. The flavors should harmonize and create a balance.
The Anatomy of Wine
Wine has a specific anatomy that shifts depending on how it’s made and aged, and those shifts determine why a wine pairs better with one food than another. The factors worth keeping in mind are acidity, sweetness, tannin, and alcohol content.
Acid
When eating a softer, oil- or butter-based dish, a more acidic wine balances the calmer flavors. It cuts through the richness of the dish and adds brightness. A great acidic pairing would be AJA’s Chardonnay with a chicken piccata or a light vegetable dish.
Sugar
Sweet wines are made by leaving some residual sugar from the grapes rather than fermenting it all the way to alcohol. Depending on the sweetness level, these wines pair well with different flavor profiles. Sweet wines often pair beautifully with desserts as well as spicy or bold foods: the sweetness mellows out the heat and creates a sweet and spicy balance.
Tannins
Wines with more tannin tend to taste “dry” on the finish. Tannins are usually found in reds and pair well with bold flavors, think sharp cheddar, red meats, and juicy dishes. Alcohol content can also influence which meals pair well with a given wine.
Pairing Is Subjective
At the end of the day, you’re in charge of your own tasting. Never dismiss a wine because of its color or a preference, since you never know what will stand out most. Sommeliers and wine experts give recommendations based on flavor profiles, so if you order a white fish but only ever drink red, they’ll find a red that complements the dish. You can absolutely enjoy red wine with fish.
Wine and food are an iconic duo and should be explored together. When you browse our wines, our proprietor and certified sommelier Amanda has recommended pairings with just about every one. Grab a bottle and try your pairings out today.