Three Tips For Pairing Food And Wine
There are two primary ways of pairing food and wine. First, it can be done by drinking and enjoying wine with the food we eat. And, second, wine can become a major component in the preparation of a meal. Of course, the second activity should always be followed by the first for maximum wine and food enjoyment. And, of course, one can always participate in both activities at the same time providing an ideal combination of food and wine.
Enjoying Wine While You Eat
A good wine will aid digestion, enhance the flavor of the food and, in the case of red wine, assist in keeping your heart healthy. There are several schools of thought as to which wines to combine with particular foods. However, I’d like to suggest that if it tastes right, it is right. While some gourmets may argue with this, there seems to be little downside in pairing food and wine in this manner.
Cooking With Wine
The French and Italians are masters of combining wine and food. Both these cuisines make extensive use of red and white wines in preparing meals from appetizers to sauces to desserts.
Pairing food and wine in this way avoids any alcoholic taste in the food as heating the wine or other typically boils away the alcohol portion.
The other rule to consider when cooking with wine is never to cook with a wine that you don’t want to drink. This will often mean opening a bottle of wine just for cooking but the flavor boost to your dinner is worth it. Don’t be tempted to add that wine that has been sitting open in the fridge for the last week to the recipe you are cooking. If you wouldn’t drink it, don’t try to cook with it. Get some more tips about cooking with wine, storing wine and tasting wine at Wine Cellar Secrets.