Ah, red wine. It is an excellent accompaniment to dinner, and its full-bodied flavor makes for an ideal pairing with many different kinds of food. From cheese and crackers to succulent steak entrees, there are plenty of options for choosing the perfect dish to enjoy with your glass of red.
To help you find the best combination for your next evening or special occasion, we’ve compiled our top seven favorite foods that pair perfectly with a delicious bottle of red wine. So pop open that Cabernet Sauvignon and keep reading – you won’t want to miss these delectable combinations.
Cheese and Crackers
Cheese and crackers make a winning combination when paired with red wine. For the avid red wine drinker, there can be no better accompaniment than this classic favorite. The saltiness of the crackers helps to bring out the flavor of the wine while simultaneously being complemented by the cheese’s creamy goodness. Cheese also soothes any bitterness or harsh edges in the red wine that might otherwise interfere with one’s enjoyment.
Moreover, various styles of cheese work well with different types of red wines, meaning one can have several variations on this food pairing, perfect for just about any event or occasion. Hence, cheese and crackers are ideal for pairing with delicious red wine.
Red Meat Dishes
Any red meat dish is sure to be a tasty match for red wine. Think red wine-infused steaks and burgers, wine sauces for lamb chops, and wine that pairs perfectly with smoked brisket or roasted pork. As red meats provide a rich flavor that complements most red wines, these dishes make an ideal meal accompaniment when one enjoys red wine as their beverage.
When selecting your red-meat-and-red-wine combination, choose the correct variety of red wine for the specific type of red meat you’re serving. For example, hearty Cabernet Sauvignon pairs nicely with tenderloin steak, while Merlot works well with red meat dishes featuring heavier sauces. So, why not join a red wine club and explore red wines that pair perfectly with red meat dishes?
Dark Chocolate
Everyone loves a good piece of dark chocolate, and it is no secret that red wine makes for an excellent pairing partner for this treat. The red’s bitterness and the dark chocolate’s richness combine harmoniously to create a flavor that can only be described as heavenly.
Dark chocolate also helps bring out the tannins and other flavors in the red wine while simultaneously complementing them. Moreover, red wines like Malbec or Merlot pair better with darker chocolates than those too rich in sweetness, such as milk chocolate, so if you’re looking for something extra special to enjoy with your glass of red, give dark chocolate a try.
Nuts
Nuts make for a delicious snack to have alongside red wine. The salty, crunchy texture of the nuts provides a pleasant contrast to the smooth and velvety red wine, while their flavor helps to enhance and bring out more complexity in the red.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that just any nut will do – some types of nuts work better than others when paired with red wine. The ideal choices are almonds, hazelnuts, and walnuts, as they offer a rich sweetness balanced by ample bitterness that makes them match perfectly with red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.
Roasted chestnuts are also an excellent choice for those seeking something more daring, as they provide a delightful crunch that is perfect for red wine drinkers.
Pizza
Pizza and red wine are classic combinations that have stood the test of time. Not only is pizza relatively easy to make (or buy) at home, but it also pairs perfectly with red wine – thanks, in part, to its acidic tomato sauce and savory melted cheese.
Moreover, red wines like Merlot or Zinfandel help to bring out the rich flavors of red-sauced pizzas while adding a nice balance of tannins for those who love their reds with some bite. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, why not pair your red wine with a white pizza topped with roasted garlic cloves and fresh herbs? You won’t be disappointed.
Pasta Dishes
Red wine and pasta dishes go hand in hand. Red wines bring out the flavors in many classic Italian pasta dishes like lasagna or spaghetti bolognese, from red-wine-infused sauces to red-wine reductions. Red wines pair best with red sauces but can act as an excellent accompaniment for white cream or pesto-based sauces.
When selecting your red wine for pairing with pasta dishes, choose those with a good amount of tannins, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Barolo – these will help cut through the richness of the sauce while still providing an enjoyable flavor profile.
Tapas
Tapas are small plates of food typically served as appetizers. They are well known for their unique flavor combinations and make a great accompaniment to red wine.
The key to successful red wine-and-tapas pairings is ensuring that the tapas’ flavors complement those of the red wine. For instance, red wines with fruity notes are ideal for pairing with dishes containing olives or dried fruits. In contrast, reds featuring more earthy notes match perfectly with cheeses like manchego or Manchego curado.
So, as you can see, red wine and food pairings provide an excellent opportunity to explore the nuanced flavors of red wines and various dishes. From steak and red wine reductions to dark chocolate and roasted chestnuts, countless combinations are just waiting to be discovered.
Photo by Nasim Didar
