Red or White ~ Dry or Rich

The holiday season affords great opportunity for social gatherings and festive feasts. Show your thoughtful spirit and good taste by offering up a great bottle of wine as a gift or to set off your own holiday gathering.  

So which wine to choose—how is the novice wine connoisseur to know which wine is best for a specific meal or hors d’oeuve? 

The good news is that over the years people have become more accepting of wine selections—choosing taste over what has long been accepted as the social norm. With a little knowledge, you’re sure to make a good selection for your next outing.   

The following pairing suggestions will point you in the right direction, but if you still find yourself confused—don’t be afraid to ask for help at your local grocer for assistance. There’s a wine out there for every menu and budget.

Chardonnay: A fruity, rich and versatile white wine, Chardonnay is a great food wine that can be easily paired with seafood, chicken, pasta or cheese.

Riesling: Made dry or sweet, with intense fruit flavors of green apple, pear and lime, Riesling is a crisp, clean white wine that is lighter than Chardonnay and pairs nicely with spicy Cajun dishes, poultry and pork.

Pinot Grigio: Simple, light-bodied, dry and crisp, Pinot Grigio, also known as Pinot Gris, is a white wine that most often accompanies seafood, pasta, vegetarian dishes or chicken.

Merlot: A soft, supple red wine with nice fruit flavors of plums and blackberries – and occasionally mint, chocolate and eucalyptus – Merlot goes well with meat dishes such as grilled beef or tuna steaks.

Pinot Noir: A dry, lighter-medium bodied red wine that typically exhibits fruit-forward character with strawberry, cherry, raspberry and blackberry fruit taking the cake for palate presence and pairs well with lamb, sausage, filet mignon or roasted chicken.

Cabernet Sauvignon: A more assertive red wine than merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon can have flavors of blackberries, plums, black currants and cassis, and also pairs well with hearty meat dishes, ribeye steaks.

Syrah: Sometimes known as Shiraz, Syrah is a very versatile, spicy, rich, darkly delicious red wine that pairs well with a wide variety of foods, including grilled meats.