Food and Wine Pairing Techniques

Food and wine pairing involves selecting wines that enhance the flavors of a dish or vice versa. Key techniques include matching the wine's weight and intensity with the food's richness—light wines with lighter dishes, full-bodied wines with hearty meals. Complementary pairings combine similar flavors, like citrus with crisp Sauvignon Blanc, while contrasting pairings create balance, such as sweet wine with spicy food. Tannins in red wines can soften fatty foods, and acidity in whites can cut through richness. Ultimately, good pairings highlight both the wine and the dish, creating a harmonious dining experience.