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