Most people love to throw dinner parties for their friends and family. But,
they may avoid serving wine because they do not know exactly what to serve. Do
you serve red or white with fish? Will Merlot be okay if you are serving a
Mexican dish? Do not stress over it - there are some basic wine rules you can
follow.


The number one rule of thumb when choosing wine is "red wine with red meat,
white wine with white meat." This is not always true, but it generally works
quite well when you are unsure. One exception is chicken. The meat is white, but
a nice fruity red wine goes well with it. The same can be said for tuna or
salmon, so you do not have to always follow the rule of not serving red wine
with fish. The second rule is the rule of complements. It is okay to match sweet
seafood such as lobster with a sweet white wine. The next rule is the opposites
attract. While you usually want to match like flavors, sometimes a contrast,
such as a White Bordeaux with bluefish can be wonderful.


Outside of the basic rules, there are certain things you can look for and
certain things you can avoid depending on what you are serving. Here are some
hints as to what to serve with particular types of food.


Salads and Appetizers


You should avoid serving wine during your salad, as vinegar and wine do not
mix well. But, if you are having an appetizer, you need to consider the
ingredients in the appetizer to help you choose your wine. If you are having a
cheese tray, the type of cheese will help you determine the wine. For example,
cheddar is best with dry reds, Merlots, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Pinot Noir goes
best with Swiss. Camembert and brie are great with a Chardonnay. The cheese we
tend to think of as Italian such as parmigiano, romano, and reggiano go well
with Italian dry red wines like Chianti and Barlol. If you are serving something
a fried appetizer, consider serving a crisp, fruity white or red wine to help
cut the oily flavor.


Beef, Steak and Lamb


Do you remember the "red wine with red meat" rule? That one is great to use
when serving beef, steak, and lamb. Choose a dry red wine like Cabernet
Sauvignon or a burgundy like Pinot Noir. You can also consider serving an
Italian red such as Barolo or Chianti.


Fish and Seafood


To be safe, stick with a dry, crisp white wine. Sauvignon Blanc goes well
with white fish while Sancerre and Muscadet go well with oysters. If you want to
be different, try a fruity red wine (without tannins). But, use caution when
serving red, especially if you are serving white, delicate fish. Cabernets with
tannins combined with fish can leave a metallic taste in your mouth.


Poultry, Pork and Veal


For the most part, you want to follow the "white meat, white wine" rule with
these. White chardonnays and Pinot Blancs are great. If you want to serve red
with chicken, remember to choose a wine that is fruity like a Merlot or
Zinfandel.

Turkey

Think back to Thanksgiving. Do
you remember how well your cranberry sauce went with the turkey? The same rule
applies here. For turkey, since it has both white and dark meat, you want
something fruity and tart such as a Beaujolais for red or a Riesling for
white.


Spicy Foods


If you are planning on service something spicy like Thai or Indian food, a
sparkling wine works best. Avoid wines with tannins and look for something
fruity. And, make sure the wine is well chilled. Cold wine goes well with spicy
foods.


Dessert

The best thing to serve with a delicious
dessert is a dessert wine. In fact, you can skip the dessert part and just serve
a dessert wine to your guests. These are sweet wines often sold in smaller
bottles as you don't drink as much dessert wine as you do regular wine. Wines
such as Sauternes, Beerenauslese, Bermet and Cammandaria will make a great end
to any evening.


The most important rule about what wine to serve is to avoid being snobby
about wine. There are no right answers, only basic rules to go by and even
those, as you have seen, can be changed. Do not be afraid to experiment with
different tastes. Chances are if you do not act like there is anything wrong
with the wine you are serving, your guests will not either.

About the Author

Jason Connors is a successful writer and wine connoisseur providing valuable tips and advice on wine cellar design, wine making, and wine basics. http://www.about-wine.net

Another short April Wine review for December 16, 2007

Wine and Food Pairings - Which Wine to Serve with Dinner


Most people love to throw dinner parties for their friends and family. But,
they may avoid serving wine because they do not know exactly what to serv...


Click Here to Read More About Wine ...

April Wine Products we recommend for December 16, 2007

Riedel Sommelier Pinot Noir/Burgundy Wine Glass (1)


The Riedel Sommelier wine glass line is the top-of-the-line series of stemware from the legendary Riedel. Wine experts agree that glassware makes a profound difference on how wines taste. Riedel Sommelier wine glasses are the benchmark and the most successful series of hand-made glasses in the world. Each Sommelier wine glass is individually made of 24% lead crystal: the wine glass bowls are mouth-blown into a mould the stem and base are handcrafted using ancient glass-making methods. The Riedel Sommelier Pinot Noir / Burgundy wine glass reveals the glory of top-class Burgundies and Pinot Noir wines. The large bowl allows the bouquet to develop to the fullest while the slightly flared top lip maximizes the fruit flavors by directing the wine to the front palate which ensure the fruit is highlighted while keeping the acidity of the wine in balance.Recommended for: Burgundy (red) Barbaresco Barolo Beaujolais Grand Cru. 9-3/4'H 37oz. Attention California residents. Proposition 65 WARNING.


Price: 95.00 USD



Current April Wine News for December 16, 2007

Cookware (The Gourmet Retailer)

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 22:07:18 GMT
APRIL 01, 2005 -- All-Clad introduced a new Panini Pan with Press, a nine-piece Stainless Healthy Cooking Set, a 2-quart Rice Pot, and a 10-inch Round Crepe.

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Fri, 14 Dec 2007 10:11:10 GMT
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Huizenga not looking to sell Dolphins (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 02:56:34 GMT
Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga said he's "not actively looking to sell" the team despite frustration over a winless season, but he confirms talking with potential buyers since April. Huizenga issued a statement Saturday in response to reports he is discussing the sale of his franchise and Dolphin Stadium to two real estate developers. "Over the years I have fielded a number of inquiries ...


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