A couple of weeks ago we talked about food and beer pairing for the fall. Now that there’s a chill in the air and the lighter, brighter foods of the summer are giving way to the heartier, earthy foods of the fall, we are going to talk about fall food and wine pairings.
Jill Silverman Hough, author of 100 Perfect Pairings, gives us some insight on the types of wine that goes best with earthier, fall foods. Hough says that like the food, the wine will be heavier and more intense too, lighter whites like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio step aside for Chardonnay and reds.
A classic fall meal of roast chicken pairs perfectly with a cool glass of Chardonnay. To change it up a little, Hough says try Viognier or even Pinot Noir. Chandler, Arizona’s Kokopelli Winery has this Chardonnay Reserve you can try with your chicken.
Also, the classic pairing of mushrooms and Pinot Noir should not be missed. The lush and spicy zing of Pinot Noir enhances the earthy and meaty mushroom flavor. Try it in a penne pasta.
Another yummy meal for the fall (and for football game days) is chilli. A hearty chilli goes best with fruity, red wines. Wines such as Zinfandel or Syrah compliment the chilli’s intensity. Hough warns that wines with a higher alcohol content can exacerbate the heat of a spicy chilli.
An old fashioned pot roast calls for a similarly big, beefy wine - such as Cabernet Sauvignon, like Arizona’s Studio Vino or Merlot or Syrah. Add soy sauce, balsamic vinegar or dijon mustard to the braising liquid to intensity the combo, Hough says.
The best wine for Thanksgiving dinner is Pinot Noir. The wine can handle the savory turkey, sweet of cranberry, earthy stuffing and it’s light enough to work with poultry as well. Gewürztraminer is a good bet if there are a lot of sweeter dishes in the meal, Hough suggested.
Other pairing to try this fall:
Pumpkin Risotto and Pinot Gris: The sweet squash, rice and onion goes great with the spice of the Pinot Gris. The acidity of the white wine cuts through the richness of the risotto.
Salmon Skewers with Lemon Parsley Pesto and Sauvignon Blanc: Parsley matches the citrus white wine that picks up its flavors and enhances the salmon.
Caramel Apple Crumble and Riesling: The sweet, bright wine intensifies the sweet and spicy flavor of the apples and the flaky crust.
Pillsbury Wine Company makes 100% Arizona wines. You can enjoy their tasting room any day of the week and sample the WildChild Red or WildChild White which compliment red meats and fall squash.
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