By Francisca W. Sell 
Wine pairing doesn’t have to be all fine dining and special occasions; it can also come into play with everyday meals. You do not have to be a sommelier but familiarizing yourself with some fundamental tenets can help you elevate the flavor from your food and wine pairings. Whatever the meal is, from a casual weeknight dinner to a light weekend snack wine takes this experience to another level.
How It Works: The Basics of Pairing Wine
Balance is the secret for great wine pairings. The flavors, textures and intensity of the wine must complement or be better than those of the food. In general, lighter foods pair with lighter wines and more complex or flavorful dishes call for fuller-bodied wines. Acidity, sweetness and tannins in the wine are also essential to keep in mind since they can shape how wine interacts with food.
The guiding principle for wine and food is that they should complement or contrast each other in a positive way. A crisp, acidic wine would pair exceptionally well with a rich and creamy dish; a fruit-forward wine will complement the oily flavors from fish.
Wines To Pair With Chicken And Poultry
Chicken is one of the most adaptable proteins that you could use to pair a wine with. More often than not, the way you prepare it, matters more than the meat. Chardonnay & Medium-bodied white wine grilled or roasted chicken. Sauvignon Blanc provides refreshing acidity and crisp citrus to meet the herbs and lighter sauces that your chicken might be served with.
When serving poultry dishes in creamy sauces, a full-bodied white can balance the creaminess. Pinot Noir is also an excellent match with the roasted turkey or chicken seasoned with herbs; light reds in general satisfy well.
Matching Wine with Pasta Dishes
Pasta is something of a staple in many households, and the sauce really plays an essential role in choosing the best wine match. Because tomatoes are acidic, dishes with tomato-based sauces work wonderfully with medium-bodied red wines like Merlot or Chianti. For cream-based pasta dishes, whites like Chardonnay pair well with this sauce since the body matches that of the sauce.
Sauvignon Blanc is often the perfect wine to go with pesto or vegetable pasta. Fresh herbal notes of basil, mint, and lemongrass team with the green flavors commonly found in those dishes.
Pairing Wine with Beef and Red Meat
And red meat and red wine a classic pairing for a reason. Caveat: Except for bold red wines like cabernet sauvignon that compliment beef dishes, hamburgers and grilled steaks. The tannins in the wine help to cut through the meat’s richness and amplify its savory notes.
A softer red wine like Merlot as opposed to heavier beef dishes can give a more complemented experience that will not completely overdo the meal. Rich cold weather meats and full-bodied stews are suited for robust reds able to match the dish’s depth of flavour.
Wine Pairings for Fish and Shellfish
With the subtle flavors of seafood, it is common for it to match better with a white wine. Crisp, light wines (think Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc) go well with whitefish like cod, tilapia or sole. Such freshwater white wines bring refreshing acidity matching the freshness of the seafood.
Chardonnay is a full bodied white wine for richer fish such as salmon. Certain seafood, especially grilled salmon or tuna, can even take on lighter red wines like Pinot Noir.
Pairing Wine with Vegetarian Meals
The possibilities with pairing vegetarian dishes are so broad. Sauvignon Blanc often fits well into vegetable stir-frys, salads and grilled vegetables due to the bright acidity and herbal qualities. Pinot Noir: Earthy notes in Pinot Noir complement mushrooms, so mushroom-based dishes go together with this wine.
Complementing spicy vegetarian dishes, sweet wines like a touch of Riesling will calm the spice while adding an enriching layer of flavor to the meal.
Simplicity: Keep It Simple & Enjoy
Because the best wine pairing is really just the one you like to drink. Though there are traditional guidelines, in the end, personal preference should reign supreme. It is just fun to experiment from there, trying different wines with everyday meals and learning your own preferences along the way. A little practice, and soon enough pairing wine with the everyday food you have on hand will become an accessible and enjoyable element of your daily eating regimen.