Wine and Food

Wine is an excellent addition to any meal because it can enhance the flavor of the food.  Though wine with dinner is meant to complement the meal, not compete with it, certain pairings will enhance the flavor of the wine as well.  

A strongly flavored wine can completely overpower a more delicate dish and vice versa.  Also, some pairings can even create a new, undesirable flavor that may seem metallic or like medicine. It's important to know the dos and don'ts of wine and food pairings to get the most out of your meal and your wine.

Below is a chart of different things you might be having for dinner and wines that complement them.  Good news carbaholics!  Bread and pasta go with almost every type of wine.

GREEN VEGGIES	LIGHT DRY WINE                 Sauvignon Blanc                 Pinot Grigio SPARKLING WINE                 Champage                 Franciacorta
ROASTED VEGGIES	LIGHT DRY WINE                 Sauvignon Blanc                 Pinot Grigio RICH WHITES                 Chardonnary                 Oaked Whites MEDIUM RED                 Merlot                 Cabernet Franc
SOFT CHEESE	SWEET WINE                 Reisling                 Moscato SPARKLING WINE                 Champagne                 Franciacorta DESSERT WINE                 Port                 Sherry
HARD CHEESE	SPARKLING WINE                 Champagne                 Franciacorta BIG RED                 Cabernet Sauvignon                 Shiraz/Syrah                 Zinfandel
CARBS	LIGHT DRY WINE                 Sauvignon Blanc                 Pinot Grigio SWEET WINE                 Reisling                 Moscato RICH WHITES                 Chardonnay                 Oaked Whites SPARKLING WINE                 Champagne                 Franciacorta LIGHT RED                 Pinot Noir                 Grenache MEDIUM RED                 Merlot                 Cabernet Franc DESSERT WINE                 Port                 Sherry
FISH	LIGHT DRY WINE                 Sauvignon Blanc                 Pinot Grigio SPARKLING WINE                 Champagne                 Franciacorta
CRAB/LOBSTER/SHRIMP	RICH WHITES                 Chardonnay                 Oaked Whites LIGHT RED                 Pinot Noir                 Grenache
WHITE MEAT	RICH WHITES                 Chardonnay                 Oaked Whites LIGHT RED                 Pinot Noir                 Grenache MEDIUM RED                 Merlot                 Cabernet Franc
RED MEAT	MEDIUM RED                 Merlot                 Cabernet Franc BIG RED                 Cabernet Sauvignon                 Shiraz/Syrah                 Zinfandel
CURED/SMOKED MEAT	SWEET WINE                 Reisling                 Moscato MEDIUM RED                 Merlot                 Cabernet Franc BIG RED                 Cabernet Sauvignon                 Shiraz/Syrah                 Zinfandel DESSERT WINE                 Port                 Sherry
DESSERT	SWEET WINE                 Reisling                 Moscato DESSERT WINE                 Port                 Sherry

Check out this link for another fun wine/food pairing chart:

http://winefolly.com/tutorial/basic-wine-and-food-pairing-chart/