Wine Pairing 101: 5 Tips For Selecting The Right Wine For Your Meal

Are you a casual wine dabbler? Maybe you’re such a seasoned connoisseur that you dream of owning your own vineyard and regularly look up winery equipment and vineyard machinery for sale. Wherever you fall on the spectrum, it’s worth learning more about the alchemy of wine and food combinations.

With an understanding of the six factors described below, you’ll be ready to unlock more flavor and enjoyment from your meals. So, let’s waste no time diving in. 

1. Consider the Flavor Profile of Your Meal

The flavor profile of your meal will greatly impact the wine you pair with it. Sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami – all these flavors can interact with the wine in fascinating ways. If you want to bring out the best in your wine, determine the dominant flavors in the meal you’re planning and opt for a wine that will complement and be complemented by them.

For example, a salty dish can make a tannic wine taste smoother, while a sweet dish can make a dry wine taste more acidic. 

2. Match the Weight and Intensity of the Wine and Food

Weight and intensity can greatly affect the pairing. In general, lighter, more delicate dishes pair well with lighter-bodied wines. As you’ve probably guessed, heavier, more robust dishes pair well with fuller-bodied wines. 

Let’s explore some tasty examples. A light, citrusy salad would pair well with a crisp, refreshing white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc. Meanwhile, a rich, hearty beef stew would pair well with a full-bodied red wine like a Cabernet Sauvignon. By matching the weight and intensity of the wine and food, you’ll enhance the flavors of both and enjoy them to their fullest.

Infographic provided by Iron Mountain, a provider of commercial fridges

3. Consider Acidity

You might think you need a non-acidic wine to balance out a more acidic meal. However, flavor-wise, the opposite is usually true. Acidic foods generally pair well with acidic wines, as the acidity in the wine can balance out the acidity in the food.

For example, a tangy tomato-based pasta dish would pair well with a high-acid red wine like a Chianti, while a lemony seafood dish would pair well with a high-acid white wine like a Riesling. By considering the acidity levels of both the wine and food, you can create a harmonious pairing that enhances the flavors of both.

4. Consider the Wine’s Tannin Levels

Tannins can feel like they’re drying out your mouth, but using a wine decanter can help soften them by gently exposing the wine to air. They also interact with the flavors and textures of food in different ways. For example, tannic red wines tend to pair well with fatty steaks, making Cabernet Sauvignon a good selection. The tannins cut through the richness of the meat, improving the experience at every bite. 

The same beautiful Cab Sav would not pair so well with a spicy dish, as the tannins would accentuate the heat, making the dish pack an even more powerful punch. To avoid painful surprises like this, always look up the tannin level of a wine before selecting it to pair with a meal. 

5. Get Experimental!

Though there certainly are some rules to follow when pairing wine with food, our final tip is, in many ways, the most important one. In the world of wine, it’s crucial to be adventurous. This is how you’ll discover new flavors and delightfully unconventional pairings. So, understand the traditional rules, but be prepared to explore beyond them. 

We hope these guidelines have given you a better sense of how to select the perfect wine for each meal. Salud!