We’re often told what wines go well with certain food items, but we rarely discuss which wines and foods don’t mix well. Here's a few "don'ts"
Though a Chardonnay pairs well with chicken, salmon, and creamy sauces, it fails to delight when sipped with hot, spicy foods!
Even a good bottle of Pinot Noir can become offensive when served with hot and spicy foods, and vice versa.
If you’re having a semi-spicy dish filled with tomatoes, it’s best to avoid serving Pinot Grigio--the wine often mistakenly believed to “go with everything”.
Dry Rieslings do not mix well with sweet foods and sugary dessert items.
Neither will Sancerre or a Merlot (though many people often try the latter and are surprised by the unpleasant result!)
When serving fish dishes, avoid serving a Shiraz. And even a decent Cabernet may be too much for select fish dishes--it depends on the fish, and your taste!
Remember: it’s all about balance. You don’t want a strong wine to overpower a light food item, or a hearty dish to overpower a lighter wine. Have fun with your wine pairing adventures, and refer to the advice above to avoid any (unpleasant) surprises!
Vintage Cellars started building custom wine cellars in 1990. Based in San Macros, California, we have built custom wine cellars throughout the United States.
Our wine cellar design experts are waiting to turn your custom wine cellar dream into a reality. Tell us the style, size, budget, and other details and we will design a custom wine cellar for you.
