Many people are intimidated by the task of selecting wine in a fine restaurant. This article is intended to provide a simple guide that will enable anyone to feel confident enough to choose a wine that will impress their dinner guests. The focus is on French and Italian wines.
While there are no set rules for pairing wine with food, generally a full-bodied red wine should accompany rich and seasoned food. White wines are better suited for lighter fare.
These are some of my personal favorite wine and food pairings for French and Italian wines:
Beef = Amarone,
Cheese = Beaujolais,
Chicken = Chardonnay,
Cold Meats = Tavel,
Chile = Grumello,
Chinese Food = Soave,
Clams and Oysters = Champagne,
Duck = Pouilly-Fume,
Fish = Muscadet,
Ham = Pinot Grigio,
Lamb = Saint-Emilion,
Ossco Bucco = Barbaresco,
Pate = Saint-Veran,
Pheasant = Vino Nobile di Montepulciano,
Pork = Pouilly-Fuisse,
Red Sauce = Chianti,
White Sauce = Pinot Grigio,
Sauerbraten = Riesling,
Shell Fish = Gavi,
Steak = Gattinara,
Stew = Barolo,
Veal = Soave, and
Venison = Pomerol
In the end, it is really a matter of personal preference and what suits your palate. If your restaurant does not have these particular recommendations in their wine cellar, you can always ask the sommelier to recommend something comparable.
These suggestions should enable you to at least buy or order to the proper wine to accompany dinner. Of course, there is a lot more to know about ordering wine, wine tasting, wine production, and wine conversation.
Please feel free to email me at sales@thewinebook.com with questions on French or Italian wine. You may also visit my website at www.thewinebook.com for more information.
Angelo Cataldo is an avid wine collector with over 20 years experience in Italian and French wines. He has also travelled extensively in the wine producuing regions of Italy and France.
For those interested in learning more, Mr. Cataldo's book, The Wine Book, is the perfect beginners wine guide: short, easy to read, and small enough to take with you. In addition to food wine pairing examples, it includes wine descriptions you can use in conversation or at wine tasting parties, wine tasting tips, and information on Italian and French wine regions and production. The Wine Book is small enough to carry to a restaurant and refer to discreetly.
The Wine Book also includes checklists for tasting notes. This has made it a favorite give-away for wine tastings and events. Fine New Jersey Restaurants, such as Aldo's, The Brickhouse, and Pane and Vino have provided it to their customers for just that purpose.
shuttle from O'Hare Orland Park .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareWhat is wine?Wine has been made for centuries from just... Read More
What in the world is up!Was there a full moon... Read More
The mere mention of etiquette brings to mind various images,... Read More
When it comes to making alcoholic beverages at home, wine... Read More
If you like the taste of a good brew, then... Read More
Decanting is a strange word to many people. Some do... Read More
Sauvignon Blanc wine is crisp, high in acidity and light-... Read More
Bordeaux is a region in France that produces some of... Read More
Chablis is thought to have originated in northern Spain and... Read More
I must admit, that for many of us, walking into... Read More
Mirror tinted contact lenses have become a topic of interest... Read More
White Zinfandel wine is a blush wine made in California... Read More
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the relationship between the amount... Read More
Champagne is without question the finest sparkling wine made in... Read More
One of the great joys of wine is to be... Read More
During the holiday season, most of us are in a... Read More
Wine is a social drink which should be enjoyed in... Read More
Wine Tasting Component I: LookThe first step you have to... Read More
Alcoholism can be given a lot of definitions and all... Read More
Ordering wine in a restaurant is not much different than... Read More
People have been drinking fermented beverages since the dawn of... Read More
The cocktail has the distinction of being an original American... Read More
First off let me say that I am in no... Read More
The recent health claims that wines have antioxidants... Read More
Many people are intimidated by the task of selecting wine... Read More
Lincoln Town Car rentals Addison ..Red Wine, Heart Disease, Hungry Sharks and Knights in Shining... Read More
Tempranillo is the premium red wine grape variety from the... Read More
Barbera is a wine grape variety from Monferrato in Piemonte,... Read More
Cooking wine is sort of a holdover from prohibition. People... Read More
When it comes to making alcoholic beverages at home, wine... Read More
The history of wine consumption in America has been frought... Read More
The Carignane grape variety is one of the most widely... Read More
Here is a quick summary of the different French wine... Read More
Mirror tinted contact lenses have become a topic of interest... Read More
The mere mention of etiquette brings to mind various images,... Read More
Many people are intimidated by the task of selecting wine... Read More
Decanting is a strange word to many people. Some do... Read More
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the relationship between the amount... Read More
The future of the Australian wine industry will be shaped... Read More
Burgundy red wines are produced in an area of France... Read More
What in the world is up!Was there a full moon... Read More
Chablis is thought to have originated in northern Spain and... Read More
Buy a BreathalyzerA Breathalyzer is a portable hand-held device in... Read More
Champagne is without question the finest sparkling wine made in... Read More
One of the great joys of wine is to be... Read More
A good drink is what even Gods enjoy and to... Read More
The Jacobs Creek Brand of wines have taken the world... Read More
Alcoholism can be given a lot of definitions and all... Read More
The recent health claims that wines have antioxidants... Read More
Red wine spills can be a disaster whether they occur... Read More
Wine & Spirits |