Food and wine have long been companions of each other at the dinner table, and at Messina Hof we believe as long as you love the wine you are drinking then any food enjoyed alongside it is the perfect pairing. However, if you are looking for guidance on some truly delightful food and wine pairings we’re here to help!
Food & Wine Pairing Tips
Food & wine pairings can be complementary (the food tastes like the wine) or contrasting (the food and wine have opposite flavors and textures that create a balance).
The most food-friendly wines are those with low alcohol, balanced acidity, a touch of sweetness, delicate in flavor, and soft tannins.
Lighter foods pair best with lighter wine. Heavier foods pair best with heavier wine.
Sweet foods can make sweet wines taste sour. Choose desserts that are slightly less sweet than the wine.
Semi-sweet wines can mask salt, acid, or heat.
Salt can make soft reds taste softer. It can also make tannic reds taste metallic.
Acidic wines can cut through heavier food profiles and flavors.
Foods with spicy heat need low alcohol, fruitful wines with a touch of sweetness.
When dining out, always feel comfortable selecting the wine that you enjoy the most, then choose menu items that you think would best pair with that wine.
Ask the server what the ingredients and spices are in each dish. Be sensitive to ingredients that make the dish more wine friendly.
Holiday Pairings
Find which wines pair best with your favorite holiday dishes.
