Pairing Wine with Food: Considerations

Good food and good wine don’t always automatically result in a good dining experience for many restaurant-goers. Taken independently, one can appreciate the ingenuity of the chef and the brilliance of the vintner. Together in one serving, however, it could lead to a rather disappointing meal if food and drink are not paired right.

Here are some basic considerations for the pairing process:

1. Open mind. Read articles and guides that provide information on which wine suits a particular food best. Try them and understand for yourself why those pairs work well together.
2. Assessment of wine and food components. Wine flavors are derived from specific components: sugar, acid, fruit, tannin and alcohol. Food also contains flavour components, such as fat, acid, salt, sugar, and bitter. Know which components are present in the wine and food you want to sample.
3. Pair those that complement and contrast. After knowing the components that make up the wine and food, pair them according to which of their elements complement or contrast with each other. Sometimes, richness and texture also give hints as to which pairing will prove to be more successful.

While wine and food pairing can be challenging, diners can actually call on a restaurant attendant to give suggestions on which of their dishes and liquor offerings go well with each other. People can rely on these knowledgeable professionals instead as they are still learning to make pairings themselves.

Top Three Reasons to Visit Margaret River

Already been to the Sydney Opera House? Visited the State Parliament House in Melbourne? Or seen the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns?

Luckily for you, Australia has many more must-see destinations to offer. Case in point: West Australia’s Margaret River, a seemingly quaint town which promises many great activities for tourists to enjoy. What are the top three things you should do on your visit?

Wine Tours

Australia is fast becoming a powerhouse in the wine-making industry, thanks in large part to Margaret River’s famed wineries. As the leading wine region in the country, the area produces many world-class vintages, from sparkling whites to brooding reds, along with other beverages like liqueurs and ciders. A wine tour of the many vineyards in Margaret River will surely be a wine enthusiast’s dream come true.

Catch the Waves

There’s a reason why the surf film Drift was shot in Margaret River—it boasts some of the best beaches and waves in all of Australia. In fact, the area also hosts many prestigious surfing competitions, like the Margaret River Pro. If you want to practice your hang fives, this is the place to go.

Cave Excursions

Did you know that honeymooners once camped inside the Ngilgi Cave? Such is the beauty of this cavern that even today, tourists from all other country—and around the world—book excursions into it.

Develop a Taste for the New and Unfamiliar

The world of wine is a rich and diverse one. Each vintner might make vintages of entirely different characters; each wine-producing region might host vintners with wildly differing philosophies to winemaking; each wine-producing country might have regions dedicated to producing an entire variety of types of wines.

So vast and contrasting is the subject of wine, in fact, that anyone who should be willing to delve deeply into it must come prepared with a taste for the new and unfamiliar. One of the best places to start down this road of discovery is in the wine tasting rooms of wine growing regions, like Margaret River.

As any wine lover can tell you, wines always taste better during wine tasting sessions at a winery. There are many explanations for why this is so.

First, wine tasting rooms are full of different wine-related sights and smells. This heightens the senses and helps to mentally prepare the taster for the experience.

Second, the wine served at the sessions is untraveled and kept in absolutely pristine condition at the same site where it was produced. This preserves its taste and the more subtle characteristics that are otherwise lost once bottled and shipped elsewhere.

A visit to a winery where fine wines are made is just the first step down this road, but it is also one of the most important. It is usually here where wine lovers first begin to understand how much more colourful the world of wine really is.

Tasting Room Etiquette

Wine tasting sessions are often the highlight of visits to Australia’s wine growing regions, such as Margaret River. While such events might sound like nothing more than an excuse to get inebriated on high quality wine, there is a certain etiquette that is followed in the wine tasting room, as is with most other aspects of high culture.

First, there is the manner of dress, which should be appropriate for such a sophisticated outing. Participants should dress in comfortable, casually, yet elegant clothing respectful of the winery’s standing. Strong perfume should be avoided. Strong scents overwhelm the aromas in the wine and can ruin the experience for everyone involved.

Second, there is the mode of conduct. Despite alcohol being the theme of the evening, wine tasting events are generally meant to be more relaxed and conversational in nature. Loud banter and rowdiness are atonal with the intended atmosphere and should be avoided.

Third, there is the observance of proper wine tasting technique, which, as the name suggests, should be more about tasting than consuming. The wine is first aerated by swirling it in the glass so that it gives off its bouquet of aromas. It is customary to inhale deeply before taking a sip, and thereafter, to swirl the wine in your mouth to coat all surfaces of the mouth.

Finally, there is the exercise of moderation. The goal is not to get inebriated, and participants are expected to take advantage of the provided spittoons for precisely this purpose.

Pointers in Consuming Wine

Everyone agrees that drinking wine is a luxury that provides several benefits. Drinking a copious amount of wine helps promote good health and hinders the development of several kinds of diseases. Moreover, drinking wine to accompany the food adds another dimension to the entire dining experience.

However, despite the benefits it provides, many still do not understand how to properly handle the liquid. What most people don’t realize is that improper wine handling may affect the wine quality. This is why it is equally important to understand the correct ways of handling a bottle, more than just simply appreciating its taste.

Health Benefits of Drinking Wine

Good wine can make or break the dining experience. Not only can it help make for a more entertaining evening, it can also provide some much needed health benefits to the drinker. If you don’t quite believe it, just read up on some of the many different studies pointing to wine as “the healthy alcohol”.

Lowers Cholesterol Levels

A 16-year study by the Harvard School of Public Health showed that moderate wine drinkers who suffer from high blood pressure are 30% less likely to have a heart attack. This can be attributed to the fact that alcohol in the wine helps increase HDL “good” cholesterol in the pretense of a healthy diet and regular activity.

Tips for Cooking with Wine

When conversation touches on the topic of wine and food, most people start thinking about wine as a beverage that adds a touch of class to any meal. However, that is not the only role this drink can play.

True foodies know that wine can be used to prepare several dishes, particularly those in French cuisine. If you’re interested in using wine for cooking, here are a few simple tips you can try:

Sparkling Wine: Staple of Margaret River Wineries

Most people would probably call them champagnes, but unless they’re made in Champagne, France, these fruity, party drinks are better referred to as “sparkling wines”. Sparkling wines are simply white wines that contain a lot of carbon dioxide (CO²), making them fizz and bubble when opened. They are a staple of Margaret River wineries and are often sold to high-class bars, lounges, and prestigious clubs.