4 minute read
Creative Summer Pairings
SUMMER Creative PAIRINGS
n n n IT CAN BE DIFFICULT to know how to pair wine with food, even under the best of circumstances. One wrong flavour or nuance can undo the entire meal, sending guests fleeing for the door in disgust and horror. While the aforementioned situation may be a slight embellishment, it is very important to understand how to suitably pair a wine with a meal. In the summertime, there is perhaps nothing more important than the pairing of a good, invigorating wine with a pleasing BBQ dish.
Break the Rules
If there was ever a situation in which to break the rules, BBQ would be it. Most are well aware of the classic rules, such as “don’t serve red wine with fish” or “don’t serve a dish that is sweeter than the wine.” BBQ presents the perfect opportunity to throw the rulebook out entirely.
Learning to experiment is essential because limitless unusual pairings can result in true culinary ecstasy. One classic West Coast pairing that may look peculiar on paper is that of a Pinot Noir with mouth-watering BBQ Sockeye salmon. This pairing works due to the delicacy of Pinot Noir, allowing the salmon to stand out on its own.
Kathy’s Shade Shop llc
RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL
Shutters ~ Motorization ~ Custom Draperies & Hardware ~ Wood & Aluminum Blinds
Roman Shades ~ Natural Fiber Shades ~ Mylar Sun Shades ~ Sheerweave Sun Shades Custom Roller Shades ~ Pleated and Cellular Shades ~ Custom Graphic Shades ~ Vertical Blinds Repairs for most blinds & shades
QUALITY SERVICE AND COMPETITIVE PRICING $100 OFF
Any order over $1,000 One order per coupon $250 OFF Any order over $2,000 One order per coupon $400 OFF Any order over $3,000 One order per coupon
Hunter Douglas ~ Lafayette~ Levolor-Kirsch ~ Somfy Motorization~ BTX Motorization Graber ~ Techniku Motorization ~ Window Quilt ~ Comfortex ~ Draper
9034 W. National Ave.‚ West Allis, WI 53227 ~ 414.321.1850 ~ www.kathysshadeshop.com Monday~Friday 9:30 am~5:30 pm; Saturday 9:30 am~1:00 pm
The Austin-Rauch Team Highly Ethical Care & Knowledge… THAT MOVES! Dani Austin-Rauch 414-788-3264 daustinrauch@firstweber.com www.DaniAustinRauch.FirstWeber.com Karen Reed 414-531-6813 kreed@firstweber.com KarenReed.FirstWeber.com
A Quiet, Serene Country Place
IXONIA Serene views at this 116 acre country place with 3 ponds and approximately 3/4 of a mile of Rock River Frontage. Oconomowoc school District. Hunt, fish, raise and ride horses, 4-wheel, whatever your hobby or passion is, this property will work. Amazing views on a peaceful dead end road with privacy, and wildlife. This is a great opportunity to be in a rural area but still close enough to enjoy all Oconomowoc has to offer.
$1,200,000 pin #37708
Contact us for results beyond your expectations. Our team designed to handle your every real estate need!
Work with the Sauce
While breaking the rules of wine pairing is fundamental, there are some basic guidelines that can help the process go a little smoother.
There can never be too much BBQ sauce, so use flavours and aromas to draw out a good wine pairing. Sample the aroma of the BBQ sauce or marinade and follow up with a sampling of the nose of the wine. Be mindful of pairing too much sweetness, as such a combination may cancel out both the flavours.
Remember that sweet foods can make a wine seem drier. Balance dishes with an off-dry wine, perhaps a Riesling, if there is a glaze or sweeter sauce like teriyaki.
Highly acidic foods, perhaps a BBQ fish with citrus sauce, will create mellower flavour with the wine. Using a highly acidic wine, such as Pinot Gris, would be favourable. Using bitter foods will draw out the natural bitterness in foods, so be sure to counterbalance this with wine that has tinges of fruit or a full body. Pair a Cabernet Sauvignon with the meal if using a salad with arugula as a side, for instance.
The Ultimate Pairings
Pairing wine with a BBQ dish is fun because it represents a great occasion to break the rules, but there are some basic suggestions that help the process go easier. It may be perfectly tolerable to sample an offbeat pairing without numerous dinner guests, but some pairings require a bit more thought.
Light white wines, like Riesling or Bacchus, go a long way with lighter fare. Try delicious Chenin Blanc with BBQ Asian prawns or pair Muscat with grilled vegetables. The slighter flavours of the wine will draw out other flavour accents.
Rich white wines, for instance Pinot Blanc or Gewürztraminer, owe an awful lot to deep, grilled foods to bring out subtler flavour notes. For a great pairing, try Tandoori chicken with oaked Chardonnay.
A deep red wine, such as oaked Merlot, pairs superbly with dishes with warm spices and rich flavours. Try Cabernet Franc with BBQ ribs or pork tenderloin and add a splash of Cajun spice to the rub for good measure.
Relax and Enjoy
In the end, there really is no right or wrong answer for a wine pairing. The perfect pairing is one that pleases dinner guests and draws the best flavours out of a meal. Pairing wine with BBQ dishes isn’t an exact science and takes some experimenting, so get out there and enjoy a warm summer evening over the grill with a glass of the good stuff tonight.
