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WINE PAIRING TIPS
Balancing meals with the drinks that accompany them is an ancient art. With this type of strategy, it is possible to highlight the best of the dishes and make the gastronomic experience even more pleasant and impactful for everyone present. Therefore, knowing how to pair wines is extremely important.
The magic lies in the countless possibilities of combinations, which create flavours and result in unforgettable sensory experiences. This is essential for those who want to make each meal something that goes far beyond simple food, transforming them into special moments.
What can't be left out?
To pair, however, we need to always be aware of some essential characteristics of wines. Among them, we can mention:
. acidity;
. alcohol content;
. body;
. tannins.
In addition to this point, the elements of the dish must also be considered. Temperature, sugar level, salt concentration, acidity, bitterness and many other characteristics also deserve special attention when making pairings.
Now that we know what to consider when pairing wines with food, let's look at the main points to consider when pairing:
Practical tips for pairing wine and food
If you're just starting out, you'll find these tried and tested methodologies to produce consistently excellent pairings. That said, as you become more familiar with different wines, you'll become more confident and can experiment with breaking the rules!
1. The wine should be more acidic than the food.
2. The wine should be sweeter than the food.
3. The wine should have the same intensity of flavour as the food.
4. Red wines pair best with boldly flavoured meats (e.g. red meat).
5. White wines pair best with light-flavoured meats (e.g. fish or chicken).
6. Bitter wines (e.g. red wines) are more balanced with fat.
7. It's better to pair wine with sauce than with meat.
8. Most often, white, sparkling and rosé wines create contrasting combinations.
9. Most of the time, red wines will create congruent pairings.
Wine and cheese can be perfect lovers, once their flavours entwine in a harmonic dance. Discover 6 amazing pairings!
⦁ Aveleda Fonte (Vinho Verde) from Minho, with its subtle fizz and refreshing citrus notes, finds its perfect match in the tangy Cardo Goat Cheese. Together, they create a delightful love story.
⦁ The vibrant raspberry and strawberry notes of Maria Bonita Rosé Wine are drawn to the simple charm of traditional Palhais Goat Cheese. It is a love affair of pure, uncomplicated flavours.
⦁ Crisp apple, citrus notes: Ortigao Sparkling Wine is perfect for light bites. It was our Prisca Cured Sheep Cheese that captured its heart, adding the right intensity to this sparkling love.
⦁ These two lovers blossomed together in Setúbal. Dona Ermelinda Red Wine Reserve, with its dark fruit, spice, and smoky notes, perfectly complements the buttery, tangy, and herbaceous flavours of Azeitão Sheep Cheese.
⦁ Seductive and vibrant, Tiago Cabaço’s red wine blog brims with notes of cherries, currants, and plums, perfectly pairing with the tangy bite of Nisa Cheese. A match made in Alentejo!
⦁ A passionate long-distance romance: The rich Quinta da Gaivosa Port LBV is irresistibly drawn to the bold Azorian São Jorge Cheese. The sweetest wine conquers the spiciest cheese.
