Pair Any Dish to a Perfect Wine with This Handy Chart

Pairing wine with food doesn't have to be a fussy process. Some wines definitely complement the flavor of certain types of foods, but in general picking a great wine to go with a great meal is as simple as picking a varietal you like from a range of good ones. The chart above (click to enlarge, or visit the full version at the link below) can help you when it's time to order.

It looks complicated at first blush, but the reason there are so many interconnected lines is because there are so many great pairing options for dishes that incorporate different ingredients. Enough, in fact, that you should feel comfortable tossing hard and fast rules out the window. For example, roasted veggies tend to go well with dry white wines, but if you're making a meal with fish and roasted veggies, you might consider a sparkling wine?there's no reason to wait until a holiday or celebration to open a bottle of bubbly. Similarly, red and cured meats pair well with bold or medium red wines like Malbecs or Temperanillos, but that cured meat and cheese plate you're enjoying may do just as well with a sweet white wine to switch things up.

I'm a huge wine fan, and while I don't agree with the chart 100% (and I'm actually a big fan of breaking pairing rules in order to discover new flavors you might enjoy?ultimately, trust your palate over a chart?if you like something, drink it and don't stop because someone tells you to) it's a good way to mix things up if your idea of picking a good wine is still stuck at "red with red meat and white with chicken and fish." Hit the link below to see the entire chart (the image above cuts off the bottom, which includes some notoriously difficult pairing options) full-sized, and don't be afraid to push the envelope a little the next time you buy or order a bottle of wine for your meal.

WIne Pairing Chart | Visual.ly via Winefolly

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/0r9Toy29k2k/pair-any-dish-to-a-perfect-wine-with-this-handy-chart

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