Wine Pairing Guide

Wine Pairing Guide

Many people enjoy a glass of wine with a meal on a night out. Sometimes, you may stumble on a combination that makes your dinner and wine taste even better than it usually does. There’s a science to this, and it’s something you can use to elevate your dining experience every time. With the right selection, wine can enhance a dish by bringing out hidden accents and amplifying the best flavors. However, finding a winning combination requires a deeper understanding of the flavors and feelings at play.

Whether you’re looking to impress a guest or thoroughly enjoy your meal, learning how to match wine with food is a great skill to have. This food and wine pairing guide will take you through the characteristics you should consider when choosing a wine and the various pairing methods. It also includes specific pairing examples to explore wine pairing further and spark your imagination. After all, wine pairing is all about experimentation and finding what you love most.

Understanding Wine Characteristics

It’s a good idea to have a firm grasp of wine basics before you explore food and wine pairing. Wines vary in flavor and weight, and even the slightest differences can influence your dining experience.

Wine Flavor Profiles

The primary goal of pairing food with wine is to balance their tastes. Wine and food have distinct flavor profiles, and understanding these can help you find the perfect combination. The three main wine flavor profiles are:

• Acidic: Wines have varying acidity levels depending on the type of grape and the climate in which they’re grown. Highly acidic wines are crisp and tart and create a mouthwatering effect in your mouth. White, rose and sparkling wines are usually the most acidic. They offer a refreshing sensation that pairs well with rich, fatty dishes.
• Bitter: Tannin is a chemical compound responsible for red wine’s bitterness and dryness. Red wine varieties like cabernet sauvignon, syrah and nebbiolo are high in tannins. These wines are the perfect pairing for fatty dishes and protein-rich meals, as the tannin helps to break down the fats and proteins and boost the food’s flavor.
• Sweet: Some wines have a higher residual sugar level, giving them a sweeter flavor profile. Sweet or dessert wines are the most sweet and work well with sweeter food. However, you can also pair some sweet white wines — like riesling and pinot gris — with spicier foods.

Wine Body

Wine body refers to how rich or heavy a wine feels, ranging from light to full. Sugar and alcohol levels are the main determinants of the body of wine, which you can check on the bottle’s label. A good rule of thumb for wine pairings is to match the weight of the wine and food:

• Light: Light-bodied wines feel more delicate and refreshing, making them great for light-intensity meals like salads or fish. They have less tannin, are usually more acidic and have alcohol levels under 12.5%. Examples of light-bodied wines include pinot noir, gamay, riesling and sauvignon blanc.
• Medium: A medium-bodied wine is more balanced and has an alcohol level between 12.5% and 13.5%. You might choose a medium-bodied wine like merlot, sangiovese or pinot gris when eating slightly richer food like pasta or roast chicken.
• Full: Most red wines are considered full-bodied as they have more than 13.5% alcohol, increased tannin and less acidity. They feel rich and heavy and are an excellent choice for red meat and fattier dishes. Full-body red wine varieties include malbec, syrah and cabernet sauvignon, but a white wine like chardonnay can also be considered full-body.

Wine Pairing Methods

Now that you know the main characteristics of wine, you can start trying different pairing methods. Most wine lovers choose to either create a congruent or complementary wine pairing, depending on the food and their preferences.

Congruent pairings involve matching wines and food with similar flavors so they enhance each other. For example, you might pair sweet wines with desserts or a silky, heavier white wine with creamy pasta. Conversely, complementary pairings have opposite characteristics that balance each other. A great example of this type of pairing is an off-dry wine with spicy foods. The slight sweetness of the wine can cool the dish’s heat.

While these are two common pairing methods, remember that there are no steadfast rules. You can experiment with your favorite wines and meals and find pairings that delight you.

Wine and Food Pairing Examples

The next time you visit Tampa Bay, plan a stop at LALA St. Pete for a unique dining experience. We serve elevated American cuisine with a French and Mediterranean twist and have a wide selection of wines to pair with your meal. If you book one of our private karaoke rooms, you can also EAT, DRINK & SING your way through an indulgent wine-pairing experience.

Not sure what pairs well with wine? Here are some delicious examples:

1. Mushroom Risotto and Pinot Noir

Creamy mushroom risotto with wild mushrooms tastes earthy and delicious. To enhance the earthy flavor profile, consider drinking a glass of medium-body red wine like pinot noir. Its earthy undertones will complement the mushrooms in the dish, while the acidity can cut through the richness and creaminess of the risotto, making it feel less heavy.

2. Caesar Salad and Sauvignon Blanc

The classic Caesar salad consists of a simple mix of lettuce, parmesan, croutons and Caesar dressing. The sauce and cheese provide a creamy, tangy flavor. A crisp, dry white wine like sauvignon blanc is a fantastic choice for this type of salad. The wine’s acidity cuts through the cream and fat to make the meal feel lighter and fresher.

3. Baby Back Ribs and Cabernet Sauvignon

If you’re craving a rack of ribs, try tender baby back pork ribs smothered in tangy BBQ sauce. A full-body red wine like cabernet sauvignon is delicious with this meal. Pork ribs and BBQ sauces are incredibly flavorful, so you need a wine that can match the flavor intensity. Cabernet sauvignon is also high in tannins, which can help cleanse the palate of fattiness for a more enjoyable mouth feel.

Reserve a Table or Room at LALA Today

LALA is the perfect place to explore indulgent wine pairings. From our world-class public dining areas and rooftop bar to our ready-to-rent private karaoke rooms, you can choose a space that suits you and your guests. Explore our extensive menu and wine list to see what wine combinations you can create at LALA.

When you’re ready to try them out, create a reservation with us. You can also book a karaoke room to sing along and have fun while you enjoy your wine pairings. We’re happy to serve anything from our food and drink menu to your room.