Maize Valley Market & Winery

Food & Wine Pairings

Why Worry About Food and Wine Pairing?

The purpose of matching wine to food is simply to enhance the taste of a meal. When food and wine pairings are done correctly a heavenly connection between the food and wine makes for a more satisfying taste. The idea is that certain elements of wine (texture, flavor, etc) react to meals differently depending on its wine pairing.

These reactions have the potential to make a meal more enjoyable, but rarely ruin a meal if done wrong because either way you still have a great bottle of wine and a great meal. The key to find your favorite wine pairings is to try new combinations.

Mark Your Calendar: We offer food and wine pairing dinners every third Thursday of each month. Reserve your spot now before we fill up!

How to Pair the Right Food and Wine?

The most important rule to remember when pairing wine with food is that you are in charge. You should drink the wines you like with the foods you like. That being said, we have some helpful hints to maximize the enjoyment of your food and wine recipes.

• Match Your Wine and Meal Based on Weight

Light, white wines tend to do better with lighter meals like fish. Heavy, red wines are great matches for heavy meals like pastas. Foods with mild flavors make good combinations with lighter red and white wines like sauvignon blanc. Foods bursting with flavor can handle a wine full of flavor like a syrah or zinfandel because they can maintain a great balance.

• Location, Location, Location

Foods generally taste better with wines from the same country. For example, an Italian meal is a great match for an Italian wine.

• Drink What You Like

One of the easiest ways to find great wine pairings is to start with a wine you like and try it with a variety of meals until you find the perfect match. You can also start with a few of your favorite meals and pair them with a variety of wines. The only taste buds you have to please are your own so mix and match food and wine recipes until you find the one for you.

Need some new recipe ideas? Be sure to see our list of great food and wine recipes.