Wine & Dine: Wine Pairings For Your Favourite Meals
There is no better feeling than the moment you sit down to a delicious meal with a good glass of wine after a long day. Especially, when both food and wine are perfectly combined to the enhance the taste of one another.
Wine tasting begins by smelling the wine and identifying its intensity, such as any prominent fruit flavours and whether the wine is oaked. Secondly, gently swirl and take a sip of the wine to determine its sweetness, fruit flavours, intensity, acidity, aftertaste and level of alcohol. Wines are generally made up of three major aromas or tastes:
- Fruits
- Flowers and herbs
- Oak and “other” flavours.
Don’t have time for wine tasting? We’ve outlined different types of wines that make the perfect pairing for your favourite meals.
Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine is the perfect choice for saltier meals. Fish, shellfish, chicken and other poultry meats are also complemented by a nice sparkling wine.
Dry White
When having a lighter meal, such as a salad or stir fry pair it with a dry white wine. These wines blend nicely with vegetarian dishes or vegetable based dishes with flaky fish or chicken added to them.
We recommend trying these dry white wines:
- Albarino
- Gruner
- Veltliner
- Garganega
- Muscadet
- Pinot Gris
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Trebbiano
- Vermentino
Sweet White
We suggest enjoying a glass of sweet white wine with spicy meals in order to counteract the intense flavours in your meal. Some examples of dishes that pair well with sweet white wine are Indian, Thai and Chinese cuisine.
We recommend trying these sweet white wines:
- Chenin Blanc
- Gewurztraminer
- Moscato
- Riesling
- Torrontes
Rich White
Rich white wine is a classic tasting white wine that pairs perfectly with simple dishes such as lasagna, soups, pasta or quiche. It works well with chicken and rich shellfish too. Since the wine is very rich and robust it compliments cuisines with more muted flavouring.
We recommend trying these rich white wines:
- Chardonnay
- Semillon
- Viognier
- Marsanne
- Roussanne
Rosé
If you just can’t decide between red and white wine, rosé is a great option. Rose wine is delicious with dishes from around the world such as Mediterranean, Moroccan, and Indian cuisine.
Just like sweet white wine, a rosé will pair well with dishes that contain a lot of bold or spicy flavours. Chicken, shellfish and pork loin are complimented by a smooth glass of rose.
Light Red
Red wine can be an acquired taste for many people. This is why it is great that there are several levels of red wine to choose from. Light red wine is perfect for mushroom driven dishes such as risotto, soups, pasta, chicken pie, pizza and several French dishes.
We recommend trying these light red wines:
- Pinot Noir
- St.Laurent
- Gamay
- Carignan
- Counoise
- Zweigelt
Medium Red
Medium red wines are the perfect partner for roasted foods making them a favourite in the cold winter months. Italian and Spanish cuisine has several dishes with roasted vegetables and meats such as pork, duck, lamb and sausage that are not complete without a nice glass of medium red wine.
We recommend trying these medium red wines:
- Sangiovese
- Tempranillo
- Cabernet Franc
- Barbera
- Merlot
- Negroamaro
- Carmenere
- Nebbiolo
Bold Red
If you love red wine you will enjoy tasting a bold red wine alongside roasted, smoked or barbecued meats. You better make sure you have time for a nap afterwards though because these meals will sit heavy in your stomach!
We recommend trying these bold red wines:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Syrah
- Malbec
- Petite Sirah
- Petit Verdot
- Mourvedre
- Nero d’Avola
Dessert Wines
Finally, to top everything off you can never go wrong with a delectable dessert wine. Enjoy a small taste with cakes, cookies, pie, ice cream, fruit or soft cheeses to enhance your sweet palate.
We recommend trying these dessert wines:
- Port
- Tawny Port
- Sherry
- Sauternes
- Madeira
- Win Santo
- Muscat
- Late Harvest Wines
- Icewine
Looking for the perfect wine pairing for your dinner? At Gabriel’s Restaurant, we’ve taken the time to craft an extensive menu that’s perfectly paired with our wide selection of local, national and international wines. Ask your server to suggest the perfect pairing for your next meal! Contact us for your dinner and wine reservations in Mississauga.