WINE 101 | WINE & FOOD PAIRINGS

White wine with fish and white meat—red wine with red meat—right?—well, not always. This general rule does often apply, but there are of course exceptions based on personal preferences and the types of wine and food about to be paired together.

Most red wines contain certain organic compounds which can render seafood rather metallic tasting. In turn, inappropriately paired with seafood, red wine itself will end up tasting metallic. There are reds however, which contain much smaller quantities of these very same compounds. These reds will in fact pair very well with certain types of ocean fish and other seafood dishes, particularly those involving tomato based sauces.

Light, acidic and dry reds are actually superb at cleansing the palate of certain fish oils, thereby enhancing your enjoyment of the food. Look for light Valpolicella or Beaujolais style reds as alternatives to white wine with certain types of seafood dishes.

Full bodied, barrel aged white wines in turn can be and often are excellent alternatives to red wines with meat dishes. A barrel fermented Ontario Chardonnay will prove an excellent match with meat dishes ranging from prime rib to roast lamb or pork.

The main reason white wines lend themselves particularily well to seafood is twofold; their high acidity relative to reds, and the relative absence of the compounds found in red wine which tend to make many seafoods taste metallic. Once again, it is acidity that serves to cleanse the palate of fish oils thereby enhancing the flavor and enjoyment of both the wine and food.

One of the most important things to remember when serving wine with food is this: don't let the flavor of the food overwhelm the flavor of the wine, and don't let the flavor of the wine overwhelm the flavor of the food. The two must always complement and enhance, not compete with each other.

The most effective way to learn about food and wine pairing is to experiment. Learn about what works and what doesn't. Consider your own preferences because ultimately, it's all about personal taste. You may discover new favourite pairings to replace your old. Keep the basic rules in mind, but consider also the fact that wine and food pairing is very much a subjective matter.

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