Choosing the Right Wine
Many people find choosing a wine that will complement the meal they are eating a difficult task. There are no hard and fast rules and those there are can be quite complicated to put into practice if you are not well versed in the subtleties of wine or a wine enthusiast.
A good rule of thumb to follow is, find a wine that will offer a good contrast to your food but not so much that it clashes. This can be easier than you think so if you're ordering a wine in a restaurant don't automatically go for the house red or white. Be adventurous and try choosing a wine that will complement your meal.
If you are ordering for two be careful when ordering a bottle of wine unless you are both eating the same meal as the red wine may taste great with the grilled steak you ordered but not with their Plaice. Most restaurants have a good selection of wines by the glass and many now serve half bottles, so you should be able to avoid a compromise.
The long standing axiom of white wine for fish and chicken dishes and red wine for meat and game is not a hard and fast rule, with many new world wines bringing with them new tastes. Enabling you to experiment more with the wine you order. But if you are one of many people who are confused or find selecting wine difficult then here are some simple tips to remember.
Matching Wine with a Meal
A light wine such as Pinot Noir will go well with lighter foods such as fish.
A fruity wine like a Chardonnay or a Merlot will complement bitter foods well, while conversely, the fats in red meat like steak will tone down the bitterness of a heavy tannic red wine such as Shiraz.
Try and match the acidity and sweetness levels of your food to your wine.
A tangy sweet wine which is high acidity, will go well with a fresh fruit dessert which is also highly acidic.
Acidic wine will also complement food which is salty or oily.
Slightly dry sweet wines also go well with desserts.
A sweet white wine will often go quite well with a curry, especially the creamier curries like korma of masala.
If you are still in doubt many dry wines, red and white, will often work well with a wider selection of foods.
In the end wine is about personal taste so trust your instincts and don't be swayed by other people's opinions. It's always a good idea to test a wine before purchasing it, and remember price does not always equal quality.