Matching your wine with complimentary
foods will bring out the best in your wine. But the most accurate
test of a match is still your own palate. If you like the combination,
you have chosen well. But for those of us who would still like a
little guidance to get started, this handy chart* will help you to match
various foods with eight of the most popular wine varietals.
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| Characteristics | Big, Bold, Tannic, Jammy, Meaty, Dry | Rustic, Fruity, Berry like, Tart, Peppery | Round, Friendly, Velvety, Plummy | Smooth, Savory, Earthy, Delicate, Cherry |
| Best if consumed between | 3 to 5 years from vintage date | 3 to 10 years from vintage date | 3 to 8 years from vintage date | 2 to 8 years from vintage date |
| Appetizers | Beef kabobs, Artichoke, Sun-Dried tomato dip | Satay, Mushroom pate', Spinach dip | Roasted garlic, Bruschetta | Stuffed mushrooms, Prosciutto |
| Soups & Stews | Chili, Lamb Stew, Beef Stew | Cioppino, Minestrone | Lamb stew, French onion, Beef broth, Beef barley | Mushroom, Black bean |
| Salads & Vegetables | Caramelized onions, Green beans, Mashed potatoes | Shitake & porcini mushrooms, Ratatouille | Chefs salad, Squash, Roasted potatoes | Portabella mushrooms, Arugula, Eggplant |
| Cheeses | Camembert, Gorgonzola | Monterey Jack, Parmesan, Gloucester | Mozzarella, Parmesan, Asiago | Goat cheese, Asiago, Feta, Ricotta |
| Pasta, Pizza & Rice | Vegetable risotto, Macaroni & cheese | Spaghetti, Pepperoni pizza, Jambalaya | Pasta primavera, Lasagna, Beef stroganoff | Mushroom risotto, Grilled polenta, Wild rice |
| Poultry & Game | Pheasant, Roasted duck, Goose | Barbecue chicken, Venison, Quail | Roasted duck, Chicken parmesan, Game hen | Duck, Quail, Mesquite chicken |
| Meats | Lamb, Filet mignon, Steak, Roast beef | Herbed pork, Sausage, Ribs, Hamburgers, Lamb | Prime rib, Liver, Meat loaf | Pork tenderloin, Lamb shank, Ham, Sausage |
| Fish & Shellfish | Seafood marinara | Thai shrimp, Blackened fish, Soft-shell crab | Sage grilled salmon, Cioppino | Salmon, Seared halibut or tuna, Cod, Sturgeon |
| Sauces & Marinades | Wine or Vinegar reduction, Marinara | Barbecue, Salsa, Soy, Teriyaki, Chipotle | Brown Gravy, Wine reduction, Tomato | Mesquite, Plum sauce, Mushroom sauce |
| Complimentary flavors & Spices | Rosemary, Mint, Basil, Sun-dried tomato, Thyme | Spicy, Pepper, Aniseed, Rosemary, Oregano | Sage, Basil, Bay leaf, Oregano, Mint, Rosemary | Smoked, Cilantro, Horseradish |
| Other good matches | Dark chocolate, Walnuts, Romantic evenings | Black olives, Ginger Snaps, Cajun food | Focaccia, Dark chocolate cake, Jazz music | Lentils, Dried cherries, Dried cranberries |
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| Characteristics | Rich, Silky, Luscious, Buttery, Oaky | Fruity, Crisp, Light, Citrus, Grassy | Charming, Slightly sweet, Light, Floral | Glamorous, Lean, Tart |
| Best if consumed between | 2 to 6 years from vintage date | 1 to 5 years from vintage date | 1 to 4 years from vintage date | Typically non-vintaged |
| Appetizers | Baked clams, Shrimp, Mussels, Salmon pate' | Oysters, Escargot, Crab cakes, Fried calamari | Foie Gras, Salami, Spring rolls, Calamari | Oysters, Caviar, Rumake, Prosciutto |
| Soups & Stews | Chicken, Lobster Bisque, Clam Chowder, Pea | Bouillabaisse, Seafood bisque, Avocado soup | Hot & sour, Turkey, Wanton, Lentil, Squash | Chilled leek & potato, Strawberry or Melon soup |
| Salads & Vegetables | Caesar salad, Acorn squash, Mashed potatoes | Mixed greens vinaigrette, Bell peppers | Oriental chicken salad, Radicchio, Cucumber | Fruit salad, Artichokes, Asparagus, Eggplant |
| Cheeses | Brie, Parmesan | Goat cheese, Feta | Blue cheese, Roquefort | Gouda, Cheese soufflé', Cream cheese |
| Pasta, Pizza & Rice | Saffron rice, Gnocchi, Mushroom linguini | Crab risotto, Seafood ravioli, Feta pizza | Tabbouleh, Thai peanut noodles, Stir-fry rice | Buckwheat noodles, Fruit filled ravioli |
| Poultry & Game | Roasted chicken or squash, Turkey, Duck | Garlic chicken, Herbed tarragon chicken | Roasted goose, Peking duck, Curried chicken | Pheasant, Cold turkey, Duck |
| Meats | Pork chops, Honey baked ham | Italian veal scaloppini | Pork, Sweet or Spicy sausage | Cold pork tenderloin, Carpaccio |
| Fish & Shellfish | Lobster, Petrale sole, Scallops, Prawns, Salmon | Crab, Ceviche, Snapper, Sea bass, Trout, Salmon, Shrimp | Prawns, Scallops, Smoked salmon, Seared tuna | Smoked salmon, Sushi, Lobster, Sashimi |
| Sauces & Marinades | White sauce, Olive oil, Alfredo, Mustard | Pesto, Citrus, Red pepper puree' | Marmalades, Fruit based, Sweet/Sour, Kung-pao | Lemon beurre blanc |
| Complimentary flavors & Spices | Butter, Pine nuts Tarragon, Thyme, Lemon | Fennel, Cilantro, Dill, Lemongrass, Ginger, Thyme | Spicy, Honey, Ginger, Turmeric, Curry, Peanut | Capers, Truffles, Bellybuttons |
| Other good matches | Puff pastry, Breaded foods, Good friends | Spinach quiche, Roasted vegetables | Sourdough bread, Quiche, Indian food, Hot tubs | Strawberries, Chocolate, Crepes, Creme brulee' |
* Adapted from "Wyno Wallet Wizard"