7 Foods that Compliment Red Wine Perfectly

Red wine is acidic and fruity and most of the time, people are confused about what food to pair it with. On top if that, there are so many different types of red wines that people sometimes pair the wrong food with the wrong wine. Here is a list of food that can be paired with the most common red wines out there.

1. Spaghetti Bolognese with Barbera

This meat based sauce, Bolognese pairs very well with the dark red, almost black wine of Barbera. The sour cherry taste that impregnates the palate is well complimented with the meaty flavor of the Spaghetti Bolognese. The acidity of the wine is cut effectively by the rich taste of the Bolognese sauce. Barbera itself is a full bodied wine and needs richness to go along with it. So, the next time you order Barbera, order spaghetti Bolognese to along with it. You will not regret it.

2. Gorgonzola cheese Cabernet sauvignon

Gorgonzola cheese has a spicy flavor and needs a well aged red wine to along with it. The rich and nutty flavor in the cheese brings out the sourness of the wine. The mild texture of the cheese also brings out the subtle berry overtones of the wine. The tannins present in the wine binds with the fat of the cheese and hence cleans up the palate effectively. The gorgonzola cheese is hence, the perfect match for Cabernet Sauvignon.

3. Sizzling sausage salad with Gamay

This light bodied red wine has a floral aroma. The subtle earthy tones makes this wine hard to pair with. But, barbecued meat, especially sausages, have their own earthy charcoal taste as well as aroma and hence, they pair perfectly with Gamay wine or Gamay Noir. The high acidity in Gamay cuts perfectly through the richness of the sizzling sausages, hence balancing the palate perfectly.

4. Steak and kidney pie with Malbec

This fruity wine is a light bodied one with low acidity. A steak and kidney pie will go perfectly with it since the richness of the crust and the meat will be cut through by the extremely fruity flavors of the wine. An easy to drink wine, it pairs extremely well with the richer meats, like beef, lamb, pork, etc. So, grab a bottle of Malbec, breathe in the aroma, and enjoy it with the scrumptious steak and kidney pie.

5. Roast chicken and sticky carrots with Merlot

Merlot has a fruity and sweet taste. This makes it a perfect companion for lighter meats like chicken. Add sticky carrots and the platter is perfect. The lightness of chicken goes perfectly with this rich dessert wine. The roast chicken adds a nice crunchiness to the whole platter and the fat of the chicken prevents your mouth from being too dry from the wine Merlot, which is basically dry wine.

6. Meat platter with Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo is a red wine which smells like roses. The earthy flavor of the wine goes really well with all kinds of meats. Hence, a meat platter is the best way to start a bottle of Nebbiolo. It goes really well with rich and fatty dishes, and hence the meat platter compliments this red wine perfectly! The tannins of the wine combine really well with the protein and fat of the meat and hence helps to clear the palate. This wine also goes really well with barbecued rack of lambs, earthy mushrooms and grilled steak! So what are you waiting for? Dig into that huge meat platter and decanter a bottle of this amazing red wine!

7. Goat’s cheese with Pinot Noir

This incredibly versatile red wine pairs well with almost every food, and cheese is no exception to its charms. This medium bodied wine has a unique undertone of cherries and berries with hints of spices and herbs. The tangy and strong flavor that accompanies goat cheese cuts through the rich berry flavor of the red wine, hence creating a perfectly balanced palate.

Hopefully, this list will help you to not spoil the enriching experience of wine tasting by pairing the wrong food to go with the wine. The wine is only as good as the food you pair it with.