| Most people love to throw dinner parties for | | | | Italian red such as Barolo or Chianti.Fish |
| their friends and family. But, they may | | | | and SeafoodTo be safe, stick with a dry, |
| avoid serving wine because they do not know | | | | crisp white wine. Sauvignon Blanc goes well |
| exactly what to serve. Do you serve red or | | | | with white fish while Sancerre and Muscadet |
| white with fish? Will Merlot be okay if you | | | | go well with oysters. If you want to be |
| are serving a Mexican dish? Do not stress | | | | different, try a fruity red wine (without |
| over it - there are some basic wine rules you | | | | tannins). But, use caution when serving red, |
| can follow.The number one rule of thumb when | | | | especially if you are serving white, delicate |
| choosing wine is "red wine with red meat, | | | | fish. Cabernets with tannins combined with |
| white wine with white meat." This is not | | | | fish can leave a metallic taste in your |
| always true, but it generally works quite | | | | mouth.Poultry, Pork and VealFor the most |
| well when you are unsure. One exception is | | | | part, you want to follow the "white meat, |
| chicken. The meat is white, but a nice | | | | white wine" rule with these. White |
| fruity red wine goes well with it. The same | | | | chardonnays and Pinot Blancs are great. If |
| can be said for tuna or salmon, so you do not | | | | you want to serve red with chicken, remember |
| have to always follow the rule of not serving | | | | to choose a wine that is fruity like a Merlot |
| red wine with fish. The second rule is the | | | | or Zinfandel.TurkeyThink back to |
| rule of complements. It is okay to match | | | | Thanksgiving. Do you remember how well your |
| sweet seafood such as lobster with a sweet | | | | cranberry sauce went with the turkey? The |
| white wine. The next rule is the opposites | | | | same rule applies here. For turkey, since it |
| attract. While you usually want to match | | | | has both white and dark meat, you want |
| like flavors, sometimes a contrast, such as a | | | | something fruity and tart such as a |
| White Bordeaux with bluefish can be | | | | Beaujolais for red or a Riesling for |
| wonderful.Outside of the basic rules, there | | | | white.Spicy FoodsIf you are planning on |
| are certain things you can look for and | | | | service something spicy like Thai or Indian |
| certain things you can avoid depending on | | | | food, a sparkling wine works best. Avoid |
| what you are serving. Here are some hints as | | | | wines with tannins and look for something |
| to what to serve with particular types of | | | | fruity. And, make sure the wine is well |
| food.Salads and AppetizersYou should avoid | | | | chilled. Cold wine goes well with spicy |
| serving wine during your salad, as vinegar | | | | foods.DessertThe best thing to serve with a |
| and wine do not mix well. But, if you are | | | | delicious dessert is a dessert wine. In |
| having an appetizer, you need to consider the | | | | fact, you can skip the dessert part and just |
| ingredients in the appetizer to help you | | | | serve a dessert wine to your guests. These |
| choose your wine. If you are having a cheese | | | | are sweet wines often sold in smaller bottles |
| tray, the type of cheese will help you | | | | as you don't drink as much dessert wine as |
| determine the wine. For example, cheddar is | | | | you do regular wine. Wines such as |
| best with dry reds, Merlots, and Cabernet | | | | Sauternes, Beerenauslese, Bermet and |
| Sauvignon. Pinot Noir goes best with Swiss. | | | | Cammandaria will make a great end to any |
| Camembert and brie are great with a | | | | evening.The most important rule about what |
| Chardonnay. The cheese we tend to think of | | | | wine to serve is to avoid being snobby about |
| as Italian such as parmigiano, romano, and | | | | wine. There are no right answers, only basic |
| reggiano go well with Italian dry red wines | | | | rules to go by and even those, as you have |
| like Chianti and Barlol. If you are serving | | | | seen, can be changed. Do not be afraid to |
| something a fried appetizer, consider serving | | | | experiment with different tastes. Chances |
| a crisp, fruity white or red wine to help cut | | | | are if you do not act like there is anything |
| the oily flavor.Beef, Steak and LambDo you | | | | wrong with the wine you are serving, your |
| remember the "red wine with red meat" rule? | | | | guests will not either.Jason Connors is a |
| That one is great to use when serving beef, | | | | wine lover providing valuable tips and advice |
| steak, and lamb. Choose a dry red wine like | | | | on wine cellar design, wine making, and wine |
| Cabernet Sauvignon or a burgundy like Pinot | | | | basics. Read his recent report on "What To |
| Noir. You can also consider serving an | | | | Look For in a Wine Cooling System". |