Types Of Wine and The Best Food Pairing: Your Quick Guide To Pairing Options

Making wine is an art form in itself, but pairing it with different types of food is an extension of that skill. According to this wine chart, both red and white wines can taste from semi-sweet to bone dry. Here are the most common types of wine and what food best pairs with them:

Merlot

Merlot is a medium to full-bodied red wine. If you’re new to drinking wine, this is a soft introduction to the many other flavors you’ll experience. It has fruit flavors, usually berries, and sometimes herb flavors, like mint and juniper. Lots of food can go well with this wine, including:

  • Grilled meat
  • Steak
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Chestnuts
  • Walnuts
  • Pecorino-romano cheese
  • Ahi tuna
  • Dark chocolate
  • Berries
  • Plums

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon Sign On Post at the End of a Vineyard Row of Grapes.

The Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied wine that is probably the most popular type. In fact, a variety of Cabernet Sauvignon was voted as the most popular wine according to a wine app called Vivino. This type of wine has bold tannins, and is firm and gripping when young. Pair your Cabernet Sauvignon with these foods:

  • Juicy red meat like steak or lamb chops
  • Beef stew
  • Venison
  • Aged cheddar
  • Pecorino
  • Gorgonzola
  • Walnuts
  • Grilled tuna
  • Bittersweet chocolate

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is a dry and light-bodied wine that comes from grapes that are difficult to grow. It has high acidity and low tannins, so it has almost no roughness to it. The light-bodied wine is perfect for savory foods. You can also pair them with these:

  • Filet mignon
  • Lamb
  • Sausage
  • Chicken veal duck
  • Tuna
  • Salmon
  • Goat cheese
  • Brie
  • Gruyere
  • Truffle
  • Mushroom sauce
  • Crème brûlée
  • White chocolate

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a dry medium to full-bodied white wine with rich citrus flavors. Aged Chardonnay in oak usually has spicy notes, while the unoaked variety has a lighter taste. It has low sweetness but has great acidity, which makes it perfect for contrasting flavors like fatty or creamy food, such as seafood. Here’s a more comprehensive guide to pairing wine with lobster.
Other kinds of food you can pair with it are:

  • Veal
  • Pork
  • Lobster
  • Crab
  • Triple cream brie
  • Gruyere
  • Asiago
  • Potato
  • Mango
  • Pesto
  • Banana bread
  • Vanilla pudding

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is a dry light to medium bodied white wine. It lacks sweetness, but it has intense fruit flavors, typically citrus ones like grapefruit, but also pear, apple, and gooseberry. You’ll also find notes of tropical fruits like mango and melon. It’s best to pair the Sauvignon Blanc with food like:

  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Veal
  • Pork
  • Feta
  • Gruyere
  • Goat cheese
  • Fatty fish
  • Scallops
  • Oysters
  • Shrimp
  • Lobster
  • Mango
  • Key lime pie
  • Sorbet

Final Thoughts

Trying different foods is an experience but pairing them with wines that complement their taste is exquisite. You’ll always find different notes, and your mouth will explode with flavor. Try the various food and wine pairings above and see if you prefer one over the other.