wine and food pairings

By Kacy Benson

Wine and Food Pairings

What is it?Areas of GrowthVarietalsFlavor components

Food and WineThings to think aboutClosingCitations

Overview

Choosing the perfect wine to fulfill your culinary experience and get the most from both the cuisine and the beverage accompanying it.

What is it?

Grapes for wine are grown all over the world

Major wine producing countries:France (Bourdeaux Region) ItalyUnited States (Northern California-Napa and

Sonoma Valleys)GermanyAustraliaSouth AfricaChilePortugal

Areas of Growth

Varietal- type of grape used to make a particular wine

Over 10,000 documented varieties within species Vitis vinifera (the "European" or "true" wine grapes).230 used for fine winesThousands more used for local wine makingOnly about a dozen varietals are concentrated

on

Most people know little about many grape types, so they stick to a few well known wines

Varietals

SweetSourSaltyBitterUmam

i

Flavor Components of

Food

What are some examples of a food for each flavor component?

Red WineTannin AlcoholOak

White WineSweetAcid/Sour

Flavor Components of

Wine

*These flavor components can be in both types of wines, but are prominent to either red wine or white wine.

Drink what you like!

What are the dominant food characteristics?Mild vs. FlavorfulFatty vs. LeanRich Vs. Acidic

Things to think about…

Mild with mild

Big flavorful foods with big flavorful wines(For example, pair a bold-flavored Pepper

Steak with a spicy, bold red Zinfandel.)

Richness of food with richness of wine(For example, pair a rich Chicken in Cream

Sauce with a rich Chardonnay.)

Keep the flavors in balance

Cleanse the palate

AcidMatch acid with

acidAcidic wines and

creams do NOT mix well

TanninRich fatty foods pair

well with lots of tannins

Strong Spices-Strong spices can clash and ruin wine

-With spicy foods, choose a spicy and/or sweet wine

Remember:Wines pair best with the foods they grew

with

For example, Italian Wines go best with Italian foods.

When in doubt…

*This is a suggestion to make a choice easier. This is not a rule.

Wine is a very in depth and interesting topic, and if able to pair well with a delectable food, this knowledge is

priceless.

Closing

Chef Martha Franklin, Table Service Class Mod 1, 2010

Food and Wine Pairing. 2007. http://www.foodandwinepairing.org/rules.html

Professional Friends of Wine. Jim Lamar. May 18, 2010.

http://www.winepros.org/wine101/grape_profiles/varietals.htm#list

Professors House. Eight Top Wine-Producing Regions of the World. 2010. http://www.professorshouse.com/food-beverage/wine-and-spirits/top-8-wine-regions.aspx

Citations