Tips For Wine Pairing With Italian Food


by Shari Swanson


Those who enjoy cooking know the importance of wine pairing with Italian food. However, knowing this is important does not meant that everyone knows how to do it. It can be confusing for some or seem overly complicated. It does not have to be intimidating. Follow these simple tips to make it easy.

Gone are the days when the rule was white served alongside white and red alongside red. If you are serving pasta accompanied by a light cream sauce and enjoy a hearty red, drink it. You do not have to follow the guidelines if you do not enjoy the flavor combinations.

A light red or dry white would be served alongside chicken dishes. However, since there are so many different ways of preparing chicken, you can take other ingredients into consideration as well when choosing which to serve. Some vinos that are light red or dry white would include, Bordeaux, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Riesling.

Chianti and Pinot Grigio are both wonderful accompaniments to dishes from this type of cuisine. You can usually play it safe by serving one or both alongside almost any dish. When in doubt, pull these out and serve.

Red meat has strong flavors and needs something that can stand up to it. Look for a full bodied red. Look for Merlot, Bordeaux or or Cabernet. These will enhance the flavors of the red meat dishes you serve. Hearty foods paired alongside hearty wines make a good combination.

One final thought about wine pairing with italian food is not to forget that each course may require a different one. You would not necessary serve the same one during each course. For example when having dessert, you would want something sweet, not something robust. Of course if there is something that you enjoy, serve it. You do not have to follow any hard and fast rules. Drink what you like, serve what you like. The choice is yours.




About the Author:




Bookmarks