Wine with fine meats

Here's what to sip with the popular new meats and some vegetarian alternatives

unusual wine pairings

Photo by James Baigrie

Wines to savor with the new gourmet meats

You've conquered wine pairing for pasta and steak, but what to pour when it comes to those trickier to pin down meals?

Here, we give our picks for the perfect bottle to savor with popular fine meats and some vegetarian options.

Cured meats and wine pairing guide

Photo by James Baigrie

Handcrafted salumi

Sweet pork laced with ​spices calls for a white. Pour a dry Alsatian-style variety; pungent salami makes the understated fruit pop.

Meat wine pairing

Photo by James Baigrie

Pair with...

Elk Cove Pinot Gris 2008 (Willamette Valley; $19). Zippy but elegant pink grapefruit and peach get a kick of lemon zest at the end.

Pate and wine

Photo by James Baigrie

Gourmet pâté

You need a light-bodied red wine that shares pâté’s earthy character and spice.

Wine pairing with pate

Photo by James Baigrie

Pair with...

WillaKenzie Estate Cuvée Pinot Noir 2007 (Willamette Valley; $25). Dusty red fruit―cherries and raspberries―spiced with a little cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

Wine pairing with ham

Photo by James Baigrie

Exotic cured ham

From Spanish Ibérico and serrano to Italian prosciutto, air-cured hams need a juicy red to cut through their sweet marbling.

Wine pairing with ham

Photo by James Baigrie

Pair with...

Eaglepoint Ranch Grenache 2007 (Mendocino County; $20). Bright, spicy cherries with a red licorice edge softened by lavender. 

Vegetarian burger wine pairing

Garden veggie burgers

A burger made of nutty grains mixed with sweet and savory produce needs a rich gardenful of flavors in a wine partner.

Pair with: Del Rio Viognier 2008 (Rogue Valley, OR; $20). Extraordinary citrus, lemongrass, and gardenia aromas open to white peach and apricot flavors, with a lively finish.

vegetarian wine pairing

Photo by James Baigrie

Tofurky Italian sausages

Even with a tofu foundation, a peppery Italian sausage needs a bright-fruited, high-acid Italian red to stand up to the spice.

Pair with: Palmina Barbera 2007 (Santa Barbara County; $22). Pomegranate-tart raspberry fruit against lavender, tobacco, and herbs.

tofu wine

Photo by James Baigrie

Simple tofu

Dress up blank-slate tofu with aromatic ginger and earthy shiitakes, and you have a perfect match for a barely sweet but minerally California Chenin Blanc. For a recipe, see the next slide.

Pair with: Husch Chenin Blanc 2008 (Mendocino; $11). Crisp and delicate but slightly off-dry, with ginger-loving florals, stone fruit, and citrus.

tofu sandwich

Photo by James Baigrie

Vietnamese-style shiitake tofu roll

Pair your bottle of Husch Chenin Blanc with a fresh flavorful Vietnamese-inspired sandwich.

Make it: Spread Asian red chili paste on both sides of a sandwich roll.

Layer with slices of extra-firm tofu browned on both sides in olive oil; sliced stemmed shiitake mushrooms sautéed in olive oil; and a slaw made of shredded cabbage and carrots, sliced green onions, cilantro leaves, and minced ginger, dressed with rice vinegar, lime juice, and a little vegetable oil, sugar, and salt.

Printed from:
http://www.sunset.com/food-wine/wine-pairings/fine-meat-wine-pairing-00400000065665/

Copyright © 2013 Sunset Publishing Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy ( Your California Privacy Rights). Ad Choices