Great Food and Wine Pairs

Until relatively recently (the last 200 years or so), water was a very unsafe beverage; instead, in regions across Europe, people chose wine as their daily drink. As such, a strong relationship developed between regional food and wine, with food products from certain areas pairing naturally well with wine made from grapes in the same region.

Though that tradition still holds true in many parts of the world, globalization and world trade have changed how many people chose their wine for dinner. The United States is the proverbial melting pot, with a wide mix of cultures; we can have Mexican one night, Thai the next, and bring home both Chinese food and pizza for Friday night suppers. Combine all these food possibilities with our easy access to international wines, and pairing dinner with a bottle of wine can be much more complicated than it was in the Middle Ages.

Below, then, are a few classic food and wine combinations, for easy reference (and perhaps inspiration). These are not written in stone, of course, but rather serve as a helpful tool if you are looking for guidance. For more further explanations on pairing food and wine, check out Tasting Components and The Weight of Food and Wine.

Cheese Beef Lamb Pork Chicken

Fish and Shellfish Pasta and Grains Vegetables Dessert Chocolate

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