Okay, so I’ve always been a “red wine with red meat, white wine with fish” kind of person. It’s what I was taught, you know? But lately, I’ve been wanting to experiment a bit more. So I decided to do a deep dive into what really goes well with white wine.
First, I grabbed a few different bottles of white. I picked up a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, a buttery Chardonnay, and a slightly sweeter Riesling. I figured that would give me a good range to test with.
The Experiment Begins
Then came the fun part – choosing the food! I didn’t want to just stick to the basics. I mean, sure, I love seafood, but I wanted to see what else was out there.
- Seafood, Obviously: I started with the classics. I grilled some shrimp, pan-seared some scallops, and even made a simple baked cod. These all paired beautifully with the Sauvignon Blanc and the Chardonnay. The acidity of the wine cut through the richness of the seafood perfectly. No surprises there!
- Spicy Stuff?: Next, I got adventurous. I whipped up some spicy Thai green curry with chicken. I was a little nervous about this one, but the Riesling, with its hint of sweetness, actually worked really well! It tamed the heat and complemented the aromatic spices. Who knew?
- Cheese, Please!: I am also a cheese lover, so I got some goat cheese, brie, and a sharp cheddar. The goat cheese and Sauvignon Blanc were a match made in heaven. The Brie was pretty good with the Chardonnay. And I must say, the cheddar? Not so much with any of them. It just didn’t jive.
- Veggie Venture: I even tried some roasted vegetables – asparagus, bell peppers, and zucchini. The Sauvignon Blanc was the winner here again. Its herbaceous notes really enhanced the flavors of the veggies.
The Aftermath
So, after all that eating and drinking (tough job, I know!), I learned a few things. While the “rules” are a good starting point, they’re definitely not the be-all and end-all. It’s all about experimenting and finding what you enjoy. Don’t be afraid to try new things! The spicy curry and Riesling combo was a total revelation for me. It totally changed my thinking about white wine pairings.
My biggest takeaway? Keep an open mind, grab some different bottles and some different foods, and just have fun with it! You might be surprised at what you discover. And most importantly, drink what you Like!
