Wine and Cheese For Beginners

There is a great deal to know about wine besides the difference between red and white. Wine can be a very enjoyable experience as long as you pick, store and serve it correctly. The ability to pair wine with food correctly is a great skill and can really make an impression on a date or at a dinner party. The two most popular types of wine, red and white, pair with very different foods and are distinct in flavor. White wines are made with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Full bodied red wines are made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir grapes; while lighter red wines are made with Merlot grapes.

Some of the types of red wines available are Bordeaux, Burgundy, Cabernet, Chianti and Merlot. Red wines are better when they are aged. Most red wine is not sold until it has been in the bottle for at least two years. These wines benefit from being allowed to breathe for at least a half an hour before being served and should be served just below room temperature. You should pour them into a decanter to allow more surface to air contact. If this is not possible then only filling your wine glass half full will allow the wine to breath. While pairing wine with food is all about personal taste, red wines traditionally go well with heavier foods. Try them with beef, lamb, pork and pastas.

Popular white wines include Chablis, Chardonnay and Riesling. White wine does not benefit from aging and also does not need to breathe. You can serve it right from the bottle and it is best served chilled. White wines go well with lighter food. Serve them with fish and poultry. They also accompany strong cheeses and deserts well.

When you are pairing wine and cheese, white wine is the place to start. Red wines are harder to match with cheese. Light red wines can be paired well with goat cheeses, but there are not many other good combinations. White wine can be paired with just about any type of cheese and it should be left up to your individual taste. Many people believe that light cheese and light wine should go together, but many others believe the opposite is true and that the opposites will balance each other out.

The pairing of wine and cheese is all about enjoyment. These two edibles are meant to be savored. What one person enjoys another may be completely turned off by. If you are having a party and you want to serve wine and cheese, there are some great foods that you can include to round out your party fare. Dark chocolate or deserts made with it are a natural addition to wine and cheese. If you want to make party trays, you can fill them with fruits, nuts and olives to compliment your cheeses. Olives and feta cheese are a wonderful pairing and will go well with a red wine. Throw in a tray of baklava and you have a Mediterranean feast to delight your guests with.

David Beart
www.professorshouse.com