Choosing the right wine to pair with your dinner can be a daunting task, but with a little bit of knowledge and a great wine, you can elevate any meal to the next level. At Belledor Vineyards, we believe in the art of pairing and this is a simple guide to matching wine with your dinner. When choosing a wine, make sure to first consider the flavors of the food you will be serving.
One of our signature wines is the Four Corners Red Blend, which is made up of 45% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Zinfandel, 10% Barbera and 10% Tempranillo. This wine is a great choice for a wide variety of dishes, as it’s a lighter-bodied wine that pairs well with just about everything. Belledor Vineyards considers this wine to be its “Pinot Noir” due to its versatility. Looking for a wine to pair with a fatty steak, or a wine to pair with a delicate fish dish? Have you ever sat at a table in a restaurant, arguing about which wine will pair with everyone’s dinner and getting frustrated? Well, this is the wine for you!
Sauvignon Blanc is another great choice when it comes to pairing wine with dinner. Our delicious Sauvignon Blanc is known for its crisp and refreshing flavors, making it a perfect companion for fish, chicken, or salads. Belledor Vineyards offers a unique wine called Masquerade. It is a Sauvignon Blanc fermented like a Chardonnay, adding a creamy texture from the Malolactic Fermentation process. When pairing wine with food, it’s important to consider the flavors and textures of both the wine and the food. For example, if you’re serving a dish with a creamy sauce, you’ll want to choose a wine with a creamy texture, such as the Masquerade. On the other hand, if you’re serving a dish with a light and tangy sauce, you’ll want to choose a wine with a crisp and refreshing flavor, such as the Sauvignon Blanc.
Pairing wine with food can seem like a daunting task, but it can be broken down into a few basic principles that we call “the art of pairing.” Here are some tips on how to pair wine with food:
- Consider the intensity of the dish: A light-bodied wine, such as Four Corners Red Blend, pairs well with lighter dishes like fish or chicken, while a full-bodied wine, such as Zinfandel or Tempranillo, goes well with heartier dishes like steak.
- Match the flavors: Look for wines that have similar flavor profiles to the dish you are serving. For example, a citrusy Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with a citrusy seafood dish.
Consider the sauce: If the dish has a rich, creamy sauce, consider a wine with high acidity to cut through the richness, such as Masquerade. If the dish has a spicy sauce, look for a wine with a little sweetness, like a Rosé. - Think about the cooking method: Grilled or roasted meats pair well with tannic red wines, like Tempranillo, while poached or steamed fish goes well with lighter white wines, like Verdelho.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment: Ultimately, the best way to learn how to pair wine with food is to try different combinations and see what works best for your palate. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with it!
Choosing the right wine to pair with your dinner is all about considering the flavors and textures of both the wine and the food. Belledor Vineyards offers a variety of wines that pair well with a wide range of dishes, such as the Four Corners Red Blend, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo and Masquerade. With a little bit of knowledge and the perfect wine, you can elevate any meal to the next level and truly understand the art of pairing!
