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Step 1
Determine what you want to eat. Think of the category of meat or sauce... would it be light or dark? Fish and chicken are usually light. Beef and pork are usually dark.
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Step 2
Determine the preparation of the dish. Is it a light or heavy meal? Steak and potatoes are obviously heavier than salmon and asparagus.
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Step 3
Now take what you have figured about your meal... light color and light in body, light color and heavy in body, dark in color and light in body, and dark in color and heavy in body. By determining what category your food is this will help you determine what kind of wine to get with your meal.
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Step 4
Basic white wines
Pinot Gris - light body, sweet, slight fruitiness and floral notes
- goes well with lighter fish ie. halibut, sea bass. etc. ,light salads
with light dressing, grilled chicken... no sauce, steamed vegetables
Sauvignon blanc- medium body, acidic, crisp, slight citric notes
- goes well with chickens and all fish, light preparations of pork,
salads,
chardonnay - full body, buttery, hint of oak and vanilla
- goes well with heavy white sauce pasta dishes, sauteed white meat -
Step 5
Basic red wines
Pinot Noir - light body, sweet, slight fruit, smooth
- light pork dishes, some heavier chicken preparations, red sauce pastas
Merlot - medium body, semi dry, slight oakiness depending on age, some times peppery depending on where from
-goes well with beef, pork, heavy red pastas, appetizers
-Cabernet Sauvignon - Full body, heavy on tongue, slight fuzz, dry, oaky,
-goes well with dark red meats -
Step 6
Remember the basic color of the dish can easily be paired with the color of wine. The heaviness or body of dish can be paired with the body of the wine. Try make the wine at least as heavy as the dish. As a basic rule of thumb you can easily use a heavier wine than the dish but try not to use a lighter wine than the dish.
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Step 7
The only rule in pairing is the wine is only good if you like it. These are very basic guidelines. There are many different varietals of wine from many different grapes from many different regions. You are not going to like everything you try but there are so many out there to enjoy. Following these very basic guidelines will help familiarize yourself with wines until you find what you like.
