There was once a time that one had to have red wine with red meat, and white wine with light colored meats. But today that has changed, no longer are we held to this myth. Today we are free to enjoy the colourful interactions of the undertones of one wine with another food. Avoid falling into the old ways and try one of these many types of wine today. Remember, this is just a partial list, and that today many new blends are also coming of age!
Red Wines: Aglianico - is a jam-packed red wine. This wine can sit on your wine rack for quite sometime and is excellent with Greek foods, such as lamb. You will often find Aglianico grapes blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Merlot.
Red Wines: Barbera- another wonderful Italian grape. But fear not, after the scandal in the mid 1980s this grape has recently become the second most planted grape in Italy. Now also being used in California, Washington, South America and the Paarl region it is fast gaining worldwide acceptance. When young, the wines offer a very intense aroma of fresh red and blackberries. In the lightest versions notes of cherries, raspberries and blueberries and with notes of blackberry and black cherries in wines made of more ripe grapes.
Red Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon - is debatably one of the most recognized red wines worldwide. Grown in all of the major wine growing regions it has one of the most unique characteristics-depending on the region, it will alter the flavour and body drastically. Those grapes grown in a cool climate will have a vegetal or bell pepper characteristic, while those grown in hot climates will have more of a jam type flavour. Regardless, Cabernet Sauvignon is high in tannins, and will guarantee you a deep rich flavour.
Red Wines: Grenache - is possibly the most planted wine grape on the planet. This Spanish grape now is grown in all parts of the world- Spain, Australia, France, and the U.S.A. all have adopted this grape to their soils. It is generally spicy, berry-flavoured and soft on the palate with a fairly high alcohol content and lower tannin. More and more today, Grenache is a common compliment to blended wines as well as the key to Rose wines and fortified wines.
Red Wines: Malbec - is a medium to full-bodied red wine with the intense black-fruit flavours of plums, blackberry and just a hint of blueberry and spice. It has a very earthy flavour giving it a rustic edge. Any tomato based meal with go with this wine, think Mexican, Cajun, Indian or Italian.
Red Wines: Merlot - is by and large a dazzling purple full bodied wine with a blackberry flavour. It is a silky dry red with subtle flavours of plum, spice and smoke with a teasing dash of chocolate. Often Merlot is usually blended with a Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot is fantastic with any type of poultry. Serve it with grilled meats as well. I have to say this is one versatile wine that goes with most food.
Red Wines: Pinot Noir - "sex in a glass", "God made Cabernet Sauvignon whereas the devil made Pinot noir", "a seductive yet fickle mistress!". These are all wonderful descriptions of of one of the most popular strains of wine in the world. Pinot Noir has an earthy base, and depending on the climate it is grown it, its undertones can range from vegetal to currant, from smoky to a hint of vanilla. A very down to earth wine, it will become a wine rack favourite.
Red Wines: Zinfandel can be a red or a white wine. Red Zinfandel gets its red from being fermented with the grape skins. It is a peppery wine, with a hint of fruity flavour - berries or dark cherries are hinted at. This is a robust wine that suits barbecue and strong flavoured dishes.
White Wines: Albarino/Alvarinho - is a very aromatic light wine that has clean rich flavors of peach or apricot. It is very nice with salad, clams and white fish.
White Wines: Chardonnay - is a medium-to-full-bodied dry white wine with a rich apple, lemon or citrus, fruity flavour. Wines made from extremely ripe grapes take the flavours of figs, ripe apples and honey. This wine is awesome with seafood, poultry dishes and light mild cheeses.
White Wines: Pinot Blanc is medium-dry wine that is also fairly light and easy on the pallet. Flavours of melon, grapefruit and pears will tantalize your taste buds. This wine is very nice as a sipping wine or can be served with finger foods, chicken, salads, fish and strong cheeses.
White Wines: Riesling wines are often fruity and perfumed with hints of apples and citrus. It is a very crisp wine, also served quite chilled. It is a very adaptable wine that can be served with zesty flavoured Asian foods or simply appetizers and desert.
White Wines: Zinfandel can be both white and a red wine. A white zinfandel gets its light rose hue from a little contact with the grape skin. This wine is very light and sweet which makes it a favourite with new wine drinkers. Serve a Zinfandel on a hot summer day with cream sauced pasta, fruit salad or any other light summertime meal.
Red Wines: Aglianico - is a jam-packed red wine. This wine can sit on your wine rack for quite sometime and is excellent with Greek foods, such as lamb. You will often find Aglianico grapes blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Merlot.
Red Wines: Barbera- another wonderful Italian grape. But fear not, after the scandal in the mid 1980s this grape has recently become the second most planted grape in Italy. Now also being used in California, Washington, South America and the Paarl region it is fast gaining worldwide acceptance. When young, the wines offer a very intense aroma of fresh red and blackberries. In the lightest versions notes of cherries, raspberries and blueberries and with notes of blackberry and black cherries in wines made of more ripe grapes.
Red Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon - is debatably one of the most recognized red wines worldwide. Grown in all of the major wine growing regions it has one of the most unique characteristics-depending on the region, it will alter the flavour and body drastically. Those grapes grown in a cool climate will have a vegetal or bell pepper characteristic, while those grown in hot climates will have more of a jam type flavour. Regardless, Cabernet Sauvignon is high in tannins, and will guarantee you a deep rich flavour.
Red Wines: Grenache - is possibly the most planted wine grape on the planet. This Spanish grape now is grown in all parts of the world- Spain, Australia, France, and the U.S.A. all have adopted this grape to their soils. It is generally spicy, berry-flavoured and soft on the palate with a fairly high alcohol content and lower tannin. More and more today, Grenache is a common compliment to blended wines as well as the key to Rose wines and fortified wines.
Red Wines: Malbec - is a medium to full-bodied red wine with the intense black-fruit flavours of plums, blackberry and just a hint of blueberry and spice. It has a very earthy flavour giving it a rustic edge. Any tomato based meal with go with this wine, think Mexican, Cajun, Indian or Italian.
Red Wines: Merlot - is by and large a dazzling purple full bodied wine with a blackberry flavour. It is a silky dry red with subtle flavours of plum, spice and smoke with a teasing dash of chocolate. Often Merlot is usually blended with a Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot is fantastic with any type of poultry. Serve it with grilled meats as well. I have to say this is one versatile wine that goes with most food.
Red Wines: Pinot Noir - "sex in a glass", "God made Cabernet Sauvignon whereas the devil made Pinot noir", "a seductive yet fickle mistress!". These are all wonderful descriptions of of one of the most popular strains of wine in the world. Pinot Noir has an earthy base, and depending on the climate it is grown it, its undertones can range from vegetal to currant, from smoky to a hint of vanilla. A very down to earth wine, it will become a wine rack favourite.
Red Wines: Zinfandel can be a red or a white wine. Red Zinfandel gets its red from being fermented with the grape skins. It is a peppery wine, with a hint of fruity flavour - berries or dark cherries are hinted at. This is a robust wine that suits barbecue and strong flavoured dishes.
White Wines: Albarino/Alvarinho - is a very aromatic light wine that has clean rich flavors of peach or apricot. It is very nice with salad, clams and white fish.
White Wines: Chardonnay - is a medium-to-full-bodied dry white wine with a rich apple, lemon or citrus, fruity flavour. Wines made from extremely ripe grapes take the flavours of figs, ripe apples and honey. This wine is awesome with seafood, poultry dishes and light mild cheeses.
White Wines: Pinot Blanc is medium-dry wine that is also fairly light and easy on the pallet. Flavours of melon, grapefruit and pears will tantalize your taste buds. This wine is very nice as a sipping wine or can be served with finger foods, chicken, salads, fish and strong cheeses.
White Wines: Riesling wines are often fruity and perfumed with hints of apples and citrus. It is a very crisp wine, also served quite chilled. It is a very adaptable wine that can be served with zesty flavoured Asian foods or simply appetizers and desert.
White Wines: Zinfandel can be both white and a red wine. A white zinfandel gets its light rose hue from a little contact with the grape skin. This wine is very light and sweet which makes it a favourite with new wine drinkers. Serve a Zinfandel on a hot summer day with cream sauced pasta, fruit salad or any other light summertime meal.
About the Author:
A true "foodie", R. St. James is a wine and food enthusiast. Extensively travelling, she brings back advice on wine, wine clubs, food and pairings of the two. Curious about wine clubs, visit her Wine Clubs of America website.
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