Shiraz is a perfect match, but any low tannin red wine will fit the bill such as Cabernet-Sauvignon based wines. Shiraz is also great with BBQ’d sausages and steaks.
Generally red wine is drunk with beef, but Chardonnay is a perfect pairing for the creamy sauce and egg noodles in beef stroganoff for example.
Try Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blends, Pinot Noir with grilled chops and kebabs and Shiraz for Lambs liver!
Riesling works well with Roast Lamb, and Chardonnay is a perfect pairing for lightweight lamb dishes such as sweetbreads and creamy casseroles.
Pinot Noir – this light bodied red wine is an excellent match with all types of ham and pork.
Chardonnay – pork’s natural sweetness works well with the rich fruity profile of this wine.
Pinot Noir or Merlot work beautifully with duck depending on what other flavours you incorporate.
White wine is generally better suited but if you really want red then buy a mature wine to ensure the tannins have softened adequately, such as a mature Cabernet Sauvignon. A Sparkling Shiraz also compliments the Turkey with Cranberry combination.
Rich Chardonnays or heavy Rieslings pair well with the full-bodied flavours of this bird.
For Roast Chicken with all the trimmings, try a mature Cabernet Sauvignon. For chicken casseroles you can also try a light bodied Merlot, Beaujolais or Pinot Noir.
The overall winner would have to be Chardonnay as it’s not too overpowering for the delicate flavour of chicken.
Red is not an obvious choice for seafood but light reds such as Pinot Noir, Chianti, Sangiovese and a full-bodied Rosé can work with meaty, big-flavoured fish such as tuna, salmon and swordfish, especially when cooked in a rich, tomato sauce.
Great choices are Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon or Riesling. Seafood dishes are usually light-flavoured, so it is the way in which it has been cooked that should determine your choice of wine. Sparkling white wine works perfectly with heavier dishes such as smoked salmon, lobster and oysters.
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon work well with heavier vegetarian dishes such as nutloaf and grilled mushrooms.
The herbaceous flavours of Sauvignon Blanc work well with most vegetarian dishes.
For salty pasta dishes, and those with olive oil, garlic, and tomato-based sauces, stick with light, fruity reds like Merlotand Pinot Noir or a more full-bodied Chianti.
For rich sauces made with cream or butter, choose a full-bodied white wine, like a Chardonnay. For salty pasta dishes, and those with olive oil and garlic, try a dry Riesling or even sparkling white wine.
Shiraz and Grenache are great with Indian and Middle Eastern dishes that feature earthy, brown spices, like cumin, coriander, fennel or cardamom.
Riesling is perfectly matched with the sweet-hot flavours of Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese dishes and coconut-milk curries, while Sauvignon Blanc or a creamy Chardonnay is great with the chilli and lime-infused flavours of Mexican and South American dishes.
Cabernet Sauvignon pairs well with Camembert, Cheddar, Colby, Danish Blue, Gorgonzola, Gouda, Parmesan, Blue cheese and Roquefort.
A rich full-bodied Chardonnay will go with more types of cheeses than most wines and works perfectly with Brie, Camembert, goats cheese, Gouda, Gruyere, Parmesan and Provolone. Sparkling white wine also goes well with Beaufort, Brie, Camembert, Cheddar, Chevre, Colby, Edam, Gouda, Gruyere and Parmesan.
Pinot Noir and Merlot go well with milk chocolate based desserts while Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel can balance the bittersweet taste of dark chocolate.
Sweet Muscats or sweet Rieslings are a great match with most desserts including chocolate based dishes, pies, tarts and creamy puddings.