Beginner-Friendly Wine and Food Pairings

When starting with wine pairings, it’s helpful to follow a few straightforward guidelines. A common rule is "what grows together, goes together," meaning that foods and wines from the same region often pair well [1:3]. Additionally, pairing should consider the sauce or preparation method rather than just the main ingredient; for example, fried chicken pairs differently than curry chicken [1:4]. Another tip is to avoid pairing red wines with spicy foods as the spiciness can overwhelm the wine's flavors [1:2].

Classic Pairings

Certain classic pairings are widely appreciated and easy to remember. Sweet dessert wines go well with soft blue cheese, while an off-dry Riesling complements fried chicken [1:1]. Light red wines like Pinot Noir pair nicely with pizza, and Zinfandel works well with burgers [1:1]. For those who enjoy seafood, Muscadet is recommended with raw oysters, and White Burgundy pairs well with scallops in a buttery herb sauce [5:1].

Budget-Friendly Options

For those on a budget, there are still plenty of enjoyable pairings. Spanish reds can be paired with a Spanish-themed charcuterie or dishes like chicken fajitas [2:2]. Popcorn pairs surprisingly well with Chardonnay, and melon can be enjoyed with Moscato [2:3]. For a fun twist, try Zinfandel with flaming hot Cheetos [2:1].

Beginner Wine Recommendations

Beginners looking to explore wine might start with some accessible and affordable options. For grilled chicken, a buttery oaked Chardonnay or a Pinot Noir could be a good match [3]. With steak, a Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic choice, but a red blend or Zinfandel can also work well [3:2]. Some specific beginner-friendly wines include Kendall Jackson Chardonnay, Kung Fu Girl dry Riesling, and Apothic Red Blend [3:1].

Exploring New Pairings

To expand your palate, consider visiting a local wine shop that offers tastings or flights [3:9]. This allows you to try different wines side by side and find what suits your taste. Additionally, experimenting with different wines and noticing how they complement various foods can be both educational and enjoyable.

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POST SUMMARY • [1]

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Beginner’s guide to wine pairing?

Posted by platypusbear8 · in r/wine · 5 years ago

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ORIGINAL POST

I enjoy wine, but I never really figured out how to pair wines with different foods.

Any beginner tips or resources for pairings?

11 replies

sid_loves_wine · 5 years ago

It's very easy to overthink wine pairings, but there are two broad rules I always try to adhere to. 1. Always try the wine by itself first, double especially if it's a special bottle, to get a feel for the character without food influence, and 2. To avoid most spicy foods with red wine, as 95% of the time any spiciness (even if mild) will render red wine completely without taste or presence.

It's true that "if it grows together it goes together" is pretty reliable. There are quite a few really "classic" pairings that have gained a high reputation for a reason- for example oysters and Chablis (with salty, savory, ocean notes playing off each other) or maybe ribeye with Napa Cabernet (as the rich tannins, deep fruit and buttery oak feel practically born to go with the specific flavor profile of simply prepared, high quality steak), maybe pizza with chianti, lots of bright red fruit and earthy, herbal tones to cut through the intensity of pizza

Wine Folly also has some great articles to check out on this :)

https://winefolly.com/wine-pairing/getting-started-with-food-and-wine-pairing/

5 upvotes on reddit

platypusbear8 · OP · 5 years ago

So what wine would you pair with spicy food? A more acidic white maybe?

thanks for the tips! I’ll definitely check out that srticle

1 upvotes on reddit

couchasianktina · 5 years ago

Residual sugar helps with spiciness and bitterness/tannin accentuates it in a bad way. An off-dry Riesling is a common pair for spicy foods but I think a gewurtz with some residual sugar would also be lovely with Asian spice. I'm still struggling to find great pairs for Latin American and European spice

2 upvotes on reddit

sid_loves_wine · 5 years ago

Exactly, I love very acidic dry white with slightly spicy food- with very spicy, yeah you could do sweet wine, but by that point I'll often just do beer, or a sweet cocktail. I'll also say that some heavy/extracted reds, for example really big Barossa Shiraz, can work with smoky, sometimes slightly spicy meats.

2 upvotes on reddit

yerrbo · 5 years ago

What grows together, goes together. Pair food with wine that is typically made in the same region.

14 upvotes on reddit

platypusbear8 · OP · 5 years ago

This is really interesting! Seems I’ll have to start paying more attention to where my food comes from! Thanks

1 upvotes on reddit

DepletedMitochondria · 5 years ago

This is solid

4 upvotes on reddit

becviblanc · 5 years ago

Pair to the sauce, spices, method of cooking, etc, not the main ingredient.

Fried chicken, curry chicken and chicken soup don't pair with the same wines.

2 upvotes on reddit

platypusbear8 · OP · 5 years ago

Seems so obvious, but so true!

1 upvotes on reddit

couchasianktina · 5 years ago

Fat loves tannin! If a wine is grippy/austere, pair it with fatty/meaty/cheesy goodness

3 upvotes on reddit

[deleted] · 5 years ago

Some wine pairings just work really well:

sweet dessert wines + Soft blue cheese
off-dry Riesling + fried chicken
light red wines + pizza
Zinfandel + burgers
acidic white whites (like Sancerre) + goat cheese

Other than that, I don’t think about pairings much. It took a while for me to realize this, but the best wine experiences I’ve had do not involve food — at least not in a pairing type way. Surely, it’s good to have some food in your stomach when drinking wine, but if the wine is really really really good, food doesn’t really improve it, in my opinion.

I am a supporter of the idea that there is a difference between food wine/table wine and fine wine. Some wine is very good to drink, but doesn’t have a lot of complexity or substance to it. Food won’t cover anything up in the wine, and it’s very possible that the combination is greater than the sum of its parts.

If you have a really good wine — especially a mature, aged wine — food can distract from the subtler qualities. Simple, balanced, small plates work best in these situations. The food is just framing the wine. They are not equal partners, because the wine is superior.

Also, I think it’s important to recognize that wine may not be the best beverage for the pairing. Taco tuesday and draft Pacifico is an all-time classic for me. Thai food and Singha beer. Bitburger, sausage and sauerkraut. Corned beef and cabbage plus Guinness. Also, I’ve tried literally everything with caviar and/or smoked salmon, and good chilled vodka just works the best. It does such an amazing job of cleansing the palate, and because it is mostly flavorless, you can really appreciate the flavor of the delicacies.

2 upvotes on reddit

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r/wine • [2]

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College budget food/wine pairing!

Posted by alliecatn · in r/wine · 8 months ago

Hi guys! My girls and I are having a wine pairing night and I’m not the most knowledgeable about wine but really want to do well. Anyone have any yummy easy/budget friendly wine and food pairings?

1 upvotes on reddit

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Jealous-Grab9864 · 8 months ago

Probably want let us know what wine you’re into and if this is dinner, dessert, or snacks.

Easy budget friendly wines might be Spanish reds, which you can easily pair with a Spanish themed charcuterie or like some chicken fajitas or pork.

Also would work well with chocolate if the wine is dark enough. Enjoy!!!

1 upvotes on reddit

PossibleClothes1575 · 8 months ago

Popcorn & Chardonnay. Melon & moscato.

1 upvotes on reddit

CountofAnjou · 8 months ago

Fino Sherry with Fish and chips

1 upvotes on reddit

GanderGoose222 · 8 months ago

What’s your upper $ limit per bottle?

1 upvotes on reddit

cabsauvluvr39 · 8 months ago

A few memorable pairings I’ve had:

Zinfandel and flaming hot Cheetos: Higher alcohol will make your taste buds more sensitive. This is true for most foods, but to illustrate you take a bite of the Cheeto, sip, then take another. The second will probably be much hotter. Zinfandel was chosen because it is often higher than average alcohol content (aim for 14-15%) but this can probably be replicated with a variety of wines and spicy foods.
Girl Scout Lemonades and sweet German Riesling. We used RELAX, which is cheap and usually not hard to find. It’s a sugar bomb, but was great with the icing and lemon flavor. Make sure you use a sweet Riesling, not a dry one.
Oaked Chardonnay - I think it’s really helpful and fun to taste oak vs steel, and this is one of the most fundamental pairings there is. Chardonnay aged in oak is associated with things like vanilla, butter, and cream; pair with something using those. Pasta in a cream sauce or even generously buttered bread will work great. Just look for something claiming to be oak aged, and for contrast I’d do a stainless steel/no oak Chardonnay next to it at the same time.
Avoid chocolate, unless the pairing is with port. I love chocolate but it’s hard to get right and easy to mess up. Most people assume cab works well and the right one can but most are going to be rough. You want a wine sweeter than the chocolate, and with most reds having lower sugar it can be surprisingly hard to find wine and chocolate that truly complement each other. Port is the safe, reliable choice.

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r/wine • [3]

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Looking for wine recommendations for a beginner

Posted by AbbreviationsAdept76 · in r/wine · 5 months ago

I’m a 31 year old male. I mostly drink beer and whiskey. Wanted to try to get into wine and see if I enjoy it. I’m looking for recommendations on brands and what goes well with the food I usually eat.

I mostly eat grilled chicken breast with broccoli for dinner sometimes different vegetables. I hear a buttery oaked Chardonnay and a Pinot noir pairs well with chicken?

I have steak once a week with some sort of vegetable and I hear a Cabernet pair well.

Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong and throw in some nice beginner wines.

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HRslammR · 5 months ago

What beers & whiskey? Miller lite & an IPA are way different. Scotch & Irish are equally different.

For Chard night, try a Jadot Macon Village (french chard) which is way different than a sonoma-cutrer (california) chard.

Steak night, try a red blend (I like the prisoner) or a zinfandel. Pinot Noir is lighter than zin, and cab is the most bitter (think IPAish)

Aim to spend ~$15-20 per bottle so you can avoid the cheap stuff but not "waste" the good stuff.

4 upvotes on reddit

AbbreviationsAdept76 · OP · 5 months ago

I’ll drink pretty much any beer but mostly stick to Guinness. When I drink whiskey mostly Jameson.

3 upvotes on reddit

noodles-_- · 5 months ago

This is a tough question because wine varies so much in pretty much every way. There is wine out there that you will love, without a doubt.

I’m not sure why you saying Guinness and Jameson makes me think of some more accessible Côte du Rhône wine (which is a very large region in the southern Rhône, France.) They are relatively cheap, and are ready to drink early. They vary, but tend to be nice and ripe but still have some spice and other qualities to ponder. If you want the good stuff, another southern Rhône appellation is Châteauneuf-du-Pape, who historically and currently makes some of the best wine in the world.

If you’re looking for American wine, Walla Walla WA is putting out some amazing stuff. Willamette Valley, OR is known for their Pinot Noir… again, it’s really a tough question to answer, but I am certain you will find wine you love. When you do, research the area it comes from, the grape varieties involved, and seek out similar wine. Cheers!

3 upvotes on reddit

bowiesashes · 5 months ago

Find a wine bar that sells flights. Taste and compare.

2 upvotes on reddit

MyNebraskaKitchen · 5 months ago

Better yet, find a non-chain wine shop that does tastings, and become a regular at them. Some may be free, others might have a small charge, or sometimes there's a mix of free wines and a $5 (or whatever) flight of some nicer wines. The best tastings I've been at were ones that were held in conjunction with the distributor's rep for the winery. Sometimes they'll include a wine that they're trying to entice the store to stock, recently I tasted a $79 Chardonnay that would normally be way out of my price range. It was definitely a step up from the $20-$30 range Chardonnays.

Sometimes I buy a bottle or two of the wines being tasted, but recently I got a tip from the rep about another wine on the shelf that was in a category I've been meaning to try. Either way, the store makes a sale and you get more experience and some wines to have on hand and to build a cellar with.

2 upvotes on reddit

bowiesashes · 5 months ago

Good stuff; u/MyNebraskaKitchen has got your back with wine advice and green been casserole.

1 upvotes on reddit

SixofClubs6 · 5 months ago

For your chicken dish, go to the grocery store and get a 12 dollar New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. The next time you make the dish spend a little more and get a Sancerre from France. Same grape but made by Frenchies that have been making that same wine for generations. See if you can detect a difference. Or if you have friends drink them both on the same night. Even better.

For your steak, first time get Bogle Essential Red for about 10 bucks and second time get the Ridge three valleys red blend.

16 upvotes on reddit

AbbreviationsAdept76 · OP · 5 months ago

Thanks for your answer!

3 upvotes on reddit

tremolospoons · 5 months ago

Get a decent muscadet, put some chill on it, and enjoy a glass (or two or three) in a clean proper wine glass at the end of a hottish day. It will taste great and you will be refreshed and happy.

Good taste. Refreshment. Happiness. That’s what wine should make you feel.

1 upvotes on reddit

tremolospoons · 5 months ago

I recommend a decent muscadet because most Chardonnay is overoaked awfulness and your bog standard Rhône will make your teeth itch.

1 upvotes on reddit

GlobalHyena · 5 months ago

If you have a Sam's or a Costco, that can be a great place to find good bang for your buck starter wines to taste. For your chicken dish there's a Kendall Jackson Chardonnay for $10, or Kung Fu Girl dry riesling for around $12. Gruet makes a lovely sparkling for less than $14. Apothic has a very accessible and drinkable red blend for under $9, and also a merlot for $10. All of these are easy drinkers that you can enjoy without food too. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with these for the price as a beginner. Have fun experimenting and exploring!

1 upvotes on reddit

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r/wine • [4]

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Your favorite simple food wine pairings?

Posted by search64 · in r/wine · 3 years ago

What are your favorite simple food wine pairings? Like roquefort and sauternes, or dried sausage and pinot noir. Fried chicken and champagne.

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Common-Cup1245 · 3 years ago

Buttered popcorn and Franciacorta

11 upvotes on reddit

search64 · OP · 3 years ago

Cool, this is the kind of simple stuff I’m looking for. Is there anything specific to Franciacorta to match to popcorn, or would champagne or even prosecco work just as well?

2 upvotes on reddit

Common-Cup1245 · 3 years ago

There's a leesy, creamy note that you can find in champagne, but its less bubbly so it won't shock the tastebuds (I like to let the butter linger). Honestly I bet champagne would be awesome too, but I find myself unwilling to shell out $50 on wine for $1.50 worth of popcorn. As for prosecco... I dunno I'm just not wild for anything I've tried. But if I were to pair one with popcorn I might grab something with a little sweetness to it. Prosecco has the added benefit of being affordable and available in half-bottles so I can watch my movie, eat my snacks, and moderately drink alone like a sad sack. Sometimes I'll jazz up my popcorn with some nutritional yeast and dried herbs.

6 upvotes on reddit

Papa_G_ · 3 years ago

Oh yeah. Love me some Franciacorta.

1 upvotes on reddit

thewhits · 3 years ago

Lamb and a good Chateauneuf du Pape.

14 upvotes on reddit

search64 · OP · 3 years ago

Chootanoofedoofypoopie (check out how to pronounciate chateauneuf du pape on youtube)

3 upvotes on reddit

chadparkhill · 3 years ago

Tapas and sherry. Olives, smoked almonds, and anchovies for fino and manzanilla; jamón serrano, croquetas, and other meaty delights for amontillado, palo cortado, and oloroso.

Txakoli and pintxos. Specifically gildas.

Any of the red wines from Chateau Musar (even the Jeune) and any kind of Lebanese lamb dish.

Georgian skin-contact wines with Khachapuri.

Chiavennasca (aka nebbiolo) from Valtellina with salume.

Spätlese riesling from the Mosel (with a good whack of residual sugar) with spicy Thai food.

Bugey-Cerdon as a palate-cleansing ‘wedge’ between dinner and dessert.

All of these bar the Spätlese/Thai combo are how the wines are enjoyed in their native context. “If it grows together it goes together” is a bit lazy, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t work.

12 upvotes on reddit

suckmydak84 · 3 years ago

Oh fuck yes, only true wine enthusiast truly understand the complexities of Sherry and how abundantly they pair!!!

1 upvotes on reddit

suckmydak84 · 3 years ago

Pulled pork and Zin, the juicy Cali, over the top extracted ass Zin.

Hedonistic, especially after drinking all day in front of the smoker

12 upvotes on reddit

Happy_Leek · 3 years ago

Garlic Bread and cheap Chianti. That’s home comfort for ya.

11 upvotes on reddit

search64 · OP · 3 years ago

That sounds delicious, i’m hungry.

2 upvotes on reddit

investinlove · 3 years ago

Fiasco!

3 upvotes on reddit

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r/wine • [5]

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Food/wine pairing suggestions

Posted by tommy_the_savage · in r/wine · 2 years ago

Hey Gang-

Sorry for a vague title but I’m here to explain better. Two friends and I considered a dinner/wine pairing but then found options either booked or we’d have to really stretch to make it work.

Then we decided why don’t we just have our own dinner/wine pairing? Our plan is 4 courses with 4 bottles and a budget of $4-500. Asking this group for suggestions with the bit of info above. Im the newest of our group to wine but the three of us enjoy all styles. We frequent the Finger Lakes in NY if that helps show our pallet. (Open to winery suggestions in that area also!) Below is a very rough draft but open to what specific foods you’d specifically suggest. I’m hoping to get as many ideas as possible then come up with a plan.

-Champaign to start -seafood app with a Riesling or Chardonnay -steak, potatoes Boudreaux -duck, carrots ??

Thanks to everyone who took the time to read or provide feedback.

Take care,

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rinengan · 2 years ago

Duck carrot - depend on sauce But pinot is always great. For steak - my go to is a entrecôte with chimchurry sauce and argentian malbec

1 upvotes on reddit

NYC_rayona · 2 years ago

Pairing is more about sauces and prep as opposed to the basic protein. You have to get a bit more specific if you want useful pairing advice.

Seafood app? Raw oysters=Muscadet. Scallops in a buttery herb sauce=White Burgundy. Calamari=Txakoli. Coconut Shrimp=Torrontes Ceviche with grapefruit and avocado=Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Octopus with tomato sauce=Frappato (light red).

These are super basic guidelines and fairly easy-to-find grapes. When I'm pairing with seafood I like to harmonize rather than contrast. I feel like most seafood dishes are fairly delicate and I wouldn't want to overwhelm the flavors.

1 upvotes on reddit

tommy_the_savage · OP · 2 years ago

I really appreciate your time responding! We haven’t dove too deep into the details-Im trying to get as many ideas before we decide on a menu and wines.

1 upvotes on reddit

WhimsyWino · 2 years ago

Don’t really have the best input on half the courses but Ravines Argetsinger Dry Riesling for the seafood app imo and Au Bon Climat Isabelle for the duck

1 upvotes on reddit

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r/wine • [6]

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Looking for wine pairing recommendations for a few basic dinners I regularly cook

Posted by OkMathematician1072 · in r/wine · 4 months ago

Hi everyone! Newbie here.

I am looking for recommendations for wines that would pair well with these following meals.

Steak, usually a med rare NY strip or ribeye if cut factors into this decision at all. Basic prep, salt pepper butter.
Chicken breasts and veggies. Simple 🤷‍♂️
Salmon, often prepped in various ways but usually traditional with lemon forward flavor profiles.
Caesar salads. Have been a go to for a while now.
Spicy Ramen. The specific flavor is Nongshim Spicy Black. Main additions are mushrooms, corn, boiled eggs, and steak

I'm not looking for what the right "type" of wine would be, but specific bottles. Under 30$/bottle max, ideally ~20$. I am very new and don't know what I like, so suggestions of all types are welcome to help me round out my tastes. I'm really just looking for a starting point for my own research and experimenting.

Thanks!

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lovecorkscrew · 4 months ago

Love this lineup, here’s what we’d pair:

- Steak: Go for something with structure like a Cabernet or Malbec. Both hold up well to the fat and flavor.

- Chicken & veggies: Depends on the prep, but generally a Sauvignon Blanc or dry Rosé works well. If it’s creamy, maybe lean into a Chardonnay.

- Salmon with lemon: Something with acidity to match — Sauvignon Blanc or a dry Riesling are both good calls.

- Caesar salad: The dressing’s got some bite, so we’d go with a crisp white. Sauvignon Blanc again, or a clean Chardonnay.

- Spicy ramen: A slightly off-dry Riesling is great here. Also into the idea of a chilled, fruit-forward Rosé.

You mentioned looking for specific bottles within a reasonable price, we actually have a few of these varietals in our current selection that we think you'd really enjoy. We're a small business but can ship pretty much nationwide and have in-store availability depending where you live. If you ever want more pairing tips or recs, feel free to ask! Cheers to good food and good wine!

1 upvotes on reddit

OkMathematician1072 · OP · 4 months ago

hahah if you’re going to shill your own brand this is the way to do it.

Unless I could get 5 quality bottles for under 100$ consistently including tax and shipping, I’m not really interested as I still have all my local stores to explore as a noobie.

Thanks though!

2 upvotes on reddit

Alternative-Lunch926 · 4 months ago

I’m going to reply with wines that I’m confident you can find in any good liquor store as I’m not sure where you’re at.

1- Monsanto Chianti, just a classic Chianti riserva

2- Louis Jadot Pouilly Fuisse, alternatively a Chablis.

3- same as 2, could do a light red also like a Beaujolais(gamay grape) or Cote de Beaune (Pinot noir) Louis Jadot does both of these are they’re widely available

Freixenet Brut Cava, a sparkling wine from Spain made in the same manor as champagne “traditional method”
Gonna buck the Riesling trend on this one, it’s a good classic match, but Pio Cesare Barbera or Colosi Nero D’Avola

I’ve found all of these in a CVS/Walgreens before, they have shockingly good entry level wine selection for some reason.

1 upvotes on reddit

OkMathematician1072 · OP · 4 months ago

best response so far.

I have a cheap Malbec from last night I’m pairing with my other steak today, and then will try out one of your suggestions tomorrow!

2 upvotes on reddit

Alternative-Lunch926 · 4 months ago

Thanks, price wise my list likely pushing it but they’ll give you a good idea of the varietal and if you like it/something to compare to, aside from the cava and Nero Davola which are both under 20 and punch way above their price.

1 upvotes on reddit

ptrnyc · 4 months ago

Steak, I’ll recommend some of my favorite French south-west wines, where I’m from. They are little-known Grenache/Syrah blends gems that won’t break the bank.

Domaine de Fontsainte red
Chateau Haut-Gleon red
Castelmaure Grande Cuvée

Fontsainte also makes an excellent rosé that can work with the steak in the summer.

Chicken breasts, I’d go with white: Domaine de l’Aigle, Limoux (Chardonnay)
Salmon, I always find it very difficult to pair. I usually pass on the wine with it.

4 & 5 don’t warrant pairing with wine imho.

1 upvotes on reddit

RichtersNeighbour · 4 months ago

"Prepped in various ways". Jordan, is that you?

2 upvotes on reddit

OkMathematician1072 · OP · 4 months ago

hahah who’s jordan?

also, do people in this sub not like posts like this? you’re the only response

1 upvotes on reddit

RichtersNeighbour · 4 months ago

It's referring to Jordan Schlansky, Conan O'Brien's associate producer.

As for why you're not getting suggestions, I find it hard to tell why certain posts gain traction and others not. But you're making it harder by asking for specific bottles, but not saying which style you want (I assume you know which style you want, since you don't want styles suggested to you). And a pet peeve of mine, not saying where you are located, I'm sure it's the US because anyone else would say were they're located. But the US is big.

1 upvotes on reddit

ralnor-oloric · 4 months ago

Other comments already have great suggestions, so I'll just chime in on #5.
Spicy and alcohol usually don't mix super well (alcohol tends to amplify the burn), but wine and food pairing is all about personal taste, so here goes nothing.

I've been looking for good pairings too when it comes to spicy dishes (please let me know what works for you!), and here's what I recommend:

- Chateau Ste. Michelle Harvest Select Riesling (the sweeter one)

- Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Gewürztraminer

I usually find both at Safeway for around $12.
One thing I still want to try is orange wines, like Field Recordings Skins, I've heard it's "very ramen-friendly".

1 upvotes on reddit

OkMathematician1072 · OP · 4 months ago

thank you so much! awesome recs, will let you know ehat I think after trying them

2 upvotes on reddit

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r/wine • [7]

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Wine Beginner

Posted by Nectar_and_Citrus · in r/wine · 9 months ago

Hello everyone, I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season! I am a newbie to wine, I've always been more of a hard liquor girl. However, I work in the restaurant industry and recently started at a restaurant that has a really strong focus on it's wine program. From what our Somme explains, it's a really diverse and beautiful wine list, I however, am lost. So Ive taken it up on myself to do my own resea ch in the hopes that I'll be able to gain a better knowledge of wine, as it's not only very important for my job, but I feel is good knowledge to have as a server at any restaurant.

So far, every wine I've tasted really just taste like wine. Cabernets have, to me, been to most palatable. However I can't just keep recommending bottles of Cabernet to my guests. I mean, I could, but that won't always work out well for my guests trying to have a well paired wine and dinner experience. I really need to start growing my knowledge of white wines and their flavor profiles. My red wine knowledge has increased pretty well over the two weeks that I've been stopping at the store and grabbing a bottle to go along with whatever dinners I have planned for the week.

Does anyone have any recommendations for white wine bottles that are: Affordable; Pair well with a specific dish(could be any, just asking what you think the wine goes well with); a great example of how the wine should taste and feel.

I've gotten a good idea of how various reds should taste on my brief experimentation and am now looking to further my education with whites. Nothing has to be overly fancy or expensive, as I do get to taste from more expensive bottles at my job, especially around the holidays. More so looking for staples you like to keep around the house and are good for beginners looking to expand and test their palette.

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bowiesashes · 9 months ago

Ask your somm coaching. Grab a dish off the menu and try it against what ever is being offered by the glass. Use the by the glass offerings as a launching point; taste the ones at the restaurant and find similar offerings at the wine shop. Purchase Wine Folly to add some depth to your knowledge.

4 upvotes on reddit

BeautifulGoat1120 · 9 months ago

I will let others with more experience than I give you some recommendations however I will offer some advice.. keep tasting and drinking different wines,regardless of what they are.. basically your mind is an empty rolodex right now.. The more you taste,the more nuisance you will pick up.. try to stay away from the super cheap bottom shelf as those wine are so convoluted it is hard to learn anything.. I find $15 to $25 to be a sweet spot..

2 upvotes on reddit

GanderGoose222 · 9 months ago

Happy Holidays to you too u/Nectar_and_Citrus, and congrats on the gig and for wanting to learn more. I agree with the other comment here, use that Sommelier's knowledge as much as you can. At work you've got a lot of resources at your finger tips, but learning on your own time will go really far. And don't worry, A LOT of people feel the same way you do that wine just tastes like wine. I find that a great way to actually see and learn the differences between them is having the ability to compare wines, so tasting different things side by side helps a great deal. If you trust the retail shop where you normally get your wine, I would ask them for specific brand recommendations, within your price point, of the following general wines that I'll put together here in a way that could help you differentiate and learn more if you taste them in groups:

One German Riesling, One New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, One California Chardonnay. Helps to notice the difference between light, medium, and full body, as well as between sweet and dry.
Unoaked Chardonnay and Oaky Buttery Chardonnay
French Chardonnay and California Chardonnay plus French Sauvignon Blanc and New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.(differences in style between "Old World" and "New World" although to be honest this is getting more and more muddled with technology, climate change, and the expansion of international markets)
Albariño from Spain, Pinot Grigio from Italy, and Gruner Veltliner from Austria. Dry, mineral-forward, Old World whites that even professional sommeliers confuse for each other in blind tastings.
Pinot Grigio from Italy and Pinot Gris from France. Shows how the same grape can make very different wines.
Sweet/Off-Dry Riesling and Bone Dry Riesling. Not all Riesling is sweet and being able to describe a dry riesling properly can really help you in describing wines in general to people who may not be all that into wine.

These would probably make for a really good start on your own self taught Wine Academy. While you're tasting the wines, do some research online about the grapes and regions. Take notes about what you see, smell, feel (texture is super important in wine), and taste. And then tell that somm what you tasted and see what notes they might have. Compare your notes to what they say and add to them. The base knowledge is important, but what's even more important in this business is being able to translate that knowledge into language that your customers understand. The best part is, this is the fun part! Good luck! :)

2 upvotes on reddit

Sea_Dog1969 · 9 months ago

Thank you. 🍷

1 upvotes on reddit

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r/Infographics • [8]

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Wine/Food Pairing Cheat Sheet (crosspost r/RecipesforBeginners)

Posted by _Mr_Serious · in r/Infographics · 2 years ago

7 upvotes on reddit

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cave91 · 2 years ago

Funny… I’ve never had an issue pairing wine with chocolate.

18 upvotes on reddit

info-revival · 2 years ago

Exactly! Reds and dark chocolate is amazing. How is that hard? Also pickled artichoke can pair with white wines pretty good at least to me, maybe it just depends on how it’s cooked that makes it hard?

1 upvotes on reddit

AntheaBrainhooke · 2 years ago

Ed Pawlowski's rules of wine:

The best wine to drink with fish is one you like.
The best wine to drink with cheese is one you like.
Any wine is better than no wine.

6 upvotes on reddit

heartilyUnderlay · 2 years ago

I would like a beer table like this.

4 upvotes on reddit

bigbadler · 2 years ago

Just a straight line between pizza and beer.

1 upvotes on reddit

Throttle_Kitty · 2 years ago

wings

4 upvotes on reddit

bigbadler · 2 years ago

Please use a symbolic key rather than lines.

4 upvotes on reddit

accidental_turtle · 2 years ago

It's pretty, but it requires more work to decipher than just reading bulleted text.

5 upvotes on reddit

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r/wine • [9]

Summarize

I'm in the f&b industry but want to dig deeper into wines. Looking for some recs to get started :)

Posted by Buttermilk_Pie · in r/wine · 5 months ago

Hey guys! I've been in the industry for about 20 years now and have some decent knowledge of wine but I'm looking to expand my knowledge. I work in a semi formal restaurant and people are always wanting to chat about wines so I'd like to be able to go a bit more in depth with my customers and offer a better experience for them when they are looking for wine to pair wine with their dinner.

My husband and I were thinking of doing weekly tastings of two or three wines of the same grape with a food pairing and really exploring the differences and flavor matches.

This is our first week so we are probably going to start with chardonnay. I was thinking old world vs new, maybe a chablis vs a california and possibly a half bottle of bubbly, you know, for science ;) Oaked vs Unoaked is kind of the starting point. We are thinking of a nice roast chicken and risotto for dinner.

I'll be stopping by our local wine store and probably ABC so looking for readily available wines around say, $25 each, starting with a lower price point for now and will probably expand that budget as we gain knowledge.

So, any fairly decent wines you all would recommend? Thanks in advance!

3 upvotes on reddit

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Uptons_BJs · 5 months ago

You know, depending on tax policy where you live (can you deduct education expenses on taxes), you might want to go take a WSET course or something.

I find the best way to understand wine is to compare wine - only by comparing and contrasting can you really have a great understanding of the differences. So a guided tasting course might be your best bet.

5 upvotes on reddit

Buttermilk_Pie · OP · 5 months ago

Thank you, yes, the WSET is definitely in the cards! We were just thinking of something fun and educational on our one day off together and since we both work in restaurants, we don't want to leave the house haha

1 upvotes on reddit

docgkeith · 5 months ago

The easiest thing to do then is buy like 3 wines of the same grape from different regions. This way you’ll get a great understanding of the grape and those regions. An easy thing would be like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chile is affordable, you can buy something like Chateau Gloria for under-$50 to do Bordeaux, and then buy a decent Napa Cab. What all of that does is show you how environment, oak, and winemaking techniques play into all of it. Over time, you’ll then notice how wines from Chile will show a cooler profile, Napa is sunny, etc. so that it all goes past just the grape and more into the impact the regions themselves deliver.

And be sure to talk with your beverage director/somm. You may be able to get bottles at the distributor price or even the beverage director/somm will open stuff for you pre-shift and that way you don’t have to spend any $$. It works out great for you to learn more about wine and will work out great for the restaurant to have another server able to properly sell wine. Plus, you’ll bring in better checks and of course, get more $$ from tips.

2 upvotes on reddit

Montauket · 5 months ago

I strongly recommend this route too. WSET is awesome for getting a guided first step into the world of wine.

Alternatively, if you’re more of a DIY kinda person consider Kevin Zraly’s book. That is the absolute best wine 101 book ever made.

2 upvotes on reddit

Buttermilk_Pie · OP · 5 months ago

Thanks for the book rec! I meant to ask that in my post, good looking out :)

1 upvotes on reddit

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r/wine • [10]

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What is your favorite wine/food pairing?

Posted by hoagybear · in r/wine · 7 years ago

13 upvotes on reddit

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lucky_chloe88 · 7 years ago

I love to pair a nice glass of wine with another glass of wine

5 upvotes on reddit

skincontact · 7 years ago

Hi, Mom.

4 upvotes on reddit

Mikethebassist · 7 years ago

Love cheese platters. Cheese platters all day. Those Cracklins look amazing.

3 upvotes on reddit

CondorKhan · 7 years ago

I'd love to read your notes

6 upvotes on reddit

hoagybear · OP · 7 years ago

The nose was aggressive with notes of orange blosom and gravel soaked in kerosene on an autumnal country evening. The wine was viscous and bursting with an acidity that can only be described as erotic. The juxtaposition of the wine with the earthy, fatty, and spicy "skins" made my tounge jump with joy and hug my soul.

7 upvotes on reddit

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beginner-friendly wine and food pairings

Key Considerations for Wine and Food Pairings:

Balance Flavors: Aim for balance between the wine and food. A rich dish pairs well with a full-bodied wine, while lighter dishes go better with lighter wines.
Acidity: Foods with high acidity (like tomatoes) pair well with wines that have good acidity (like Sauvignon Blanc or Chianti).
Sweetness: Sweet wines can complement spicy foods. For example, a Riesling works well with spicy Asian dishes.
Tannins: Tannic wines (like Cabernet Sauvignon) pair well with fatty meats (like steak) as the fat softens the tannins.
Regional Pairing: Often, wines and foods from the same region pair well together. For example, Italian wines with Italian cuisine.

Beginner-Friendly Pairing Suggestions:

Chardonnay + Roast Chicken: The buttery notes of Chardonnay complement the savory flavors of roast chicken.
Sauvignon Blanc + Salad with Citrus Dressing: The crisp acidity of Sauvignon Blanc enhances the freshness of salads.
Pinot Noir + Grilled Salmon: The light body and fruitiness of Pinot Noir pair beautifully with the richness of salmon.
Cabernet Sauvignon + Grilled Steak: The bold flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon match well with the robust taste of grilled steak.
Moscato + Spicy Asian Cuisine: The sweetness of Moscato balances out the heat in spicy dishes.

Recommendation: Start with versatile wines like Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Merlot, as they tend to pair well with a variety of foods and are generally well-liked. Experimenting with these pairings can help you discover your personal preferences!

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