10 Food and Wine Pairing for Your Next Party

Hosting a party can be a hassle. Deciding on your menu… even worse. Not only do you want to come up with the best dishes, but you also want a drink that perfectly complements them. With so many popular party foods and wines out there, this is no mean feat.

To help ease your dilemma, we’ve come up with a list of food and wine pairings that will take your party to the next level.

· Chinese Food with Bordeaux rosé

Chinese food is always a safe menu option for parties. Most people seem to enjoy the food, and there are a variety of dishes to choose from. However, choosing the best wine for the food isn’t always easy, mostly because there are better matching options for individual dishes (such as duck with Pinot Noir or dim sum with Champagne). However, if you want one wine to take you through a full-course Chinese meal, then Bordeaux rosé is your best bet. It has a bright and sweet berry flavor that compliments the combination of sweet and sour pretty well.

· Barbeque Ribs with Malbec

Who doesn’t love a good piece of rib at a barbeque? But with the strong flavors and tough texture of your meal, you need a drink that can hold its own without being overshadowed. That’s exactly what Malbec wine does. It has a strong flavor that can handle the bold flavors of sweet and spicy barbeque sauces. You should definitely stock up a few bottles for your next barbeque, as people will be consuming it more than you think.

· Salmon with Pinot Noir

Nothing makes your look fancier than serving a flawlessly cooked fillet of fresh salmon that is delicious and flavorful. If you put that much effort into cooking each individual piece of salmon, you want your guests to be able to appreciate its taste and texture without having alcohol overpower it. A glass of Pinot Noir can take any dish made with salmon to the next level. It has a bold flavor without being overly tannic, making it the best seafood and wine combination.

· Mushroom Pizza with Pinot Noir

Another dish that goes really well with Pinot Noir is mushroom pizza – or any savory recipes that used mushrooms as its main ingredient. The light-bodied yet savory mouthfeel of Pinot Noir pairs phenomenally well with the earthy taste of mushroom pizza. This is a must-have for any vegetarian-friendly gathering that you may be planning.

· Caviar with Champagne

Caviar is expensive. There’s no doubt about that. So if you’re planning on serving this exquisite dish at your next gathering, you want your guests to appreciate every bite of it. A lot of people prefer Vodka to go with their caviar. However, even ice-cold Vodka can be too hot for caviar. Keep in mind that texture is key here. Top-quality vintage Champagne leaves you with the tase of each individual egg intact. And if you’re paying that much for the food, you may spend a little more on the drinks to make the food and wine pairing unforgettable for your guests.

· Fish Tacos with Pinot Grigio

When it comes to food and wine pairings, light fish recipes and Pinot Grigio wine are best friends. Something about the zesty white wine makes the seafood taste even more flavorful – if that was even possible. Aside from fish tacos, Pinot Grigio makes the perfect companion for dishes like fish and chips, grilled fish, baked cod, salmon bowls, and Mexican Aguachile.

· Thai Food with Pinot Gris

If you’re feeling a little adventurous with your menu, you may want to give Thai food a shot. Like Chinese and other Asian cuisines, Thai culture requires you to place all the dishes on the table simultaneously. Therefore, you need a drink that compliments it all. Finding a wine that does this job better than Pinot Gris is nigh on impossible. Whether it the crisp acidity of Alsace Pinot Gris or the opulent fruit and beguiling sweetness of the new wave Pinot Gris from New Zealand, they are always a reliable match for Thai food.

· Goat Cheese Hors D’oeuvres and Sauvignon Blanc

If you want to serve something light and appetizing to your guests – whether as a precursor to a more elaborate cuisine or to go along with a wine party – goat cheese snacks are ideal. They are light and easy yet make it look like you put in the effort. The deliciously dry and fruit glass of Sauvignon Blanc goes particularly well with Goat Cheese Hors D’oeuvres but will also complement any goat cheese appetizers that you may be serving.

· Apple Tart and Sweet Chenin Blanc

Not only are Apple Tarts one of the most versatile desserts that can be served at any gathering, but it’s also arguably the most wine-friendly dessert there is. Almost any wine goes well with this classic-style French desert. However, Loire dessert wines such as Bonnezeaux and Quarts de Chaume have a particular affinity with it. Remember to keep things simple and don’t over-elaborate it. If anything, add some cream. But it’s better to leave that out too.

· Cheese Soufflé with Dry Rosé

A food and wine pairing that isn’t just delicious but also rhymes? Isn’t that the best conversation starter? Anything rich and cheesy can be paired with a Dry Rosé to make it an unforgettable combination. This makes them the ideal partner for a cheese soufflé

Not many people realize that picking wine is not just a matter of favorites. In fact, food and wine interact in a way that can make both taste better than they do on their own. However, the key is to find the right food and wine pairing that makes this possible. Use the above list as a wine guide for your next party so that your guests can truly appreciate the food and drink you’re serving.