Wine and Food Pairing Guide-Favorite Recipe Secrets

Wine and Food

Pairing Guide

Foods

Beef, Lamb & Veal

Chianti/Sangiovese/
Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon

Pasta & Vegetarian

Merlot/Chianti/

Sangiovese /Zinfandel

Chicken, Turkey & Pork

Merlot /Chianti/

Sangiovese/ Zinfandel

Fish & Seafood

Merlot/ Chardonnay/

Pinot Noir

Fruits & Desserts

German Rieslings

Wines

Cabernet Sauvignon

Flavors range from black currant, cherry, plum, mint, chocolate and spice. Pairs well with rich roasted meats or with grilled vegetables

Chardonnay

Grape comes in a variety flavors. Tastes includes orchard, tropical, citrus fruit, butter or spice.

Merlot

Is a soft wine with rich plum-like flavors noted with blueberry and cherry.

Pinot Grigio

"Grigio" means gray in Italian. Is a bright golden color with a apricot, tropical lemon and pineapple flavors.

Pinot Noir

Red grape in color. Flavors are raspberries, cherries and smoke. Wine pairs well with grilled salmon and lightly sauced pasta dishes.

Riesling

Has a fruit-floral aroma and citrus flavors. Pairs well with Asian cuisine, summer salads and fresh fruit. A pleasant aperitif.

Sangiovese (San-gee-oh-vay-zay)

A brillant ruby red wine with ripe fruit flavors. Extremely versatile pairs well with a wide range of fowl, meat and pasta. Derived from Latin the "Blood of Jupiter."

Zinfandel

A quintessential "California red." A versatile wine can be pairs with BBQ beef, grilled chicken or roasted chicken.

White Zinfandel

Pale pink in color. Can drink alone or pairs well with chicken, pork or seafood

Disclaimer: Compensated Affiliate

Submit url

The History of Wine

Wines history dates back approximately 6000 BC. The regions of origin are thought to be Eurasia and Iran. Wine was discovered in Europe around 4500 BC in Bulgaria and Ancient Greece. Dionysus of Greek Mythology represents wine. Dionysus imbued ritual madness and ecstasy. He was adopted by the Romans and known as Bacchus. In classical Greece and Rome wine was a common. In Medieval Europe wine was necessary for the ceremony of Mass. In ancient Egypt wine was apart of ceremonial life. Wine is used today in religious ceremonies. Examples would be the Catholic Eucharist and the Jewish Kiddush.

An alcoholic beverage, wine is made from fermented grape juice. The fermentation is without added sugar, acids, enzymes or other ingredients. Wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes with various yeasts. The sugar in the grapes are consumed by the yeast and converted into alcohol. The type of wine being produced is determined by the type of grapes and yeast.

Other fruits can be fermented but the resulting wine is normally names after the fruit. They are known as fruit wines or country wines. An example would be apple wine or peach wine. There are wines fermented from starch-base materials. Such wines would be barley wine and rice wine (i.e. sake). History suggests that in 7000 BC grapes and rice were fermented in China.

Wine has a rich history dating back 6000 to 7000 BC. Wine is known as a ceremonial drink. The ceremonies differ from religion, holidays, special occasions or just relaxing and enjoying a good meal.