Pairing by Varietal
Pairing by Varietal
From the crisp, fresh Sauvignon Blanc to the bold tannic body of Cabernet Sauvignon, there are an infinite number of food and wine pairings to explore – enjoy.
Sauvignon Blanc
Light-bodied, crisp wine with fig, lemon and grassy tones.
Food Pairing
| Meats & Fish: | Lighter entrées such as shellfish, sushi, sole, orange roughy and chicken |
| Cheese & Nuts: | Feta, chévre, pine nuts |
| Fruits & Vegetables: | Citrus fruits, melons, green apples, asparagus |
| Sauces: | All light sauces such as citrus sauce |
| Grains: | White rice, French bread |
| Desserts: | Light, fruity sweets such as sorbet and key lime pie |
Chardonnay
Medium-bodied, buttery and oaky with vanilla, pineapple, peach and red apple flavors and a smooth finish.
Food Pairing
| Meats & Fish: | Pork loin, chicken, veal, shrimp, crab and lobster |
| Cheese & Nuts: | Asiago, havarti, mozzarella, almonds |
| Fruits & Vegetables: | Avocado, potato, butternut squash, apples, peaches, mango |
| Sauces: | Creamy, mild and buttery sauces, pesto, tropical salsas |
| Grains: | Risotto, crackers |
| Desserts: | Apple, pecan and key lime pie, yellow and pound cake, banana pudding, caramel swirl ice cream |
Riesling
Light- to medium-bodied with apricot, honeysuckle and pear flavors with a dry finish.
Food Pairing
| Meats & Fish: | Sweet meats such as pork and smoked turkey, chicken, sea bass, trout and Asian food |
| Cheese & Nuts: | Havarti, Gouda, pecans, candied walnuts |
| Fruits & Vegetables: | Pears, apricots, figs, apples, melon, sweet potato, chili and bell peppers |
| Sauces: | Sweet BBQ, sweet and sour, curry, chutney |
| Grains: | Corn bread, honey bread |
| Desserts: | Pecan pie, apple pie, baked pears, honey and almond-covered cheese, anything with caramel |
Pinot Noir
Medium-bodied and silky with red cherry, strawberry and smoky earth tones.
Food Pairing
| Meats & Fish: | Roasted chicken, tuna, filet mignon, pork, lamb and mild sausages |
| Cheese & Nuts: | Goat cheese, Brie, walnuts |
| Fruits & Vegetables: | Roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, figs, cherries, strawberries, dried fruit |
| Sauces: | Mushroom sauces, light-medium red sauces |
| Grains: | Olive bread |
| Desserts: | Vanilla pudding, milk chocolate, creme brulée, strawberries and cream, white chocolate |
Syrah
Heavy-bodied and chewy with black cherry, currant, jammy, spice and tobacco tones.
Food Pairing
| Meats & Fish: | Roast game, hearty stews, spicy sausages such as pepperoni and salami, salmon |
| Cheese & Nuts: | Strong cheeses such as sharp cheddar, Roquefort and blue cheese, hazelnuts |
| Fruits & Vegetables: | Currants, blackberries, stewed tomatoes, beets, eggplant and dark, leafy greens |
| Sauces: | Heavy red, BBQ and spicy sauces |
| Grains: | Pizza |
| Desserts: | Rhubarb pie, Black Forest cake |
Meritage
Full-bodied with espresso, pomegranate, dark chocolate and black cherry flavors.
Food Pairing
| Meats & Fish: | BBQ tri-tip, sausage pizza, duck, tuna and grilled shark |
| Cheese & Nuts: | Blue cheese, Camembert, toasted cashews |
| Fruits & Vegetables: | Bell pepper, roasted shallots, boysenberry or plums |
| Sauces: | Bearnaise, marinara, mushroom |
| Desserts: | Dark chocolate torte, chocolate truffles dusted with cocoa powder |
Merlot
Medium- to heavy-bodied, smooth-finishing with black cherry, plum, raspberry and chocolate notes.
Food Pairing
| Meats & Fish: | Grilled meats, steak, stew, leg of lamb, tuna and swordfish |
| Cheese & Nuts: | Romano, Parmesan, aged chévre, chestnuts |
| Fruits & Vegetables: | Plums, tomatoes, endive, eggplant, black beans, caramelized vegetables |
| Sauces: | Red sauce, bolognese, tomato and béarnaise sauces |
| Desserts: | Dark chocolate sauce, berries, chocolate torte, fondue |
Cabernet Sauvignon
Full-bodied with black currant, coffee and dark chocolate notes with a long finish.
Food Pairing
| Meats & Fish: | Game, ribeye, roasted meats, beef stew, rack of lamb, swordfish and tuna |
| Cheese & Nuts: | Cheddar and all aged cheeses, walnuts |
| Fruits & Vegetables: | Black cherries, plums, tomatoes, broccoli, black olives, dark greens |
| Sauces: | Brown, bolognese, tomato, pasta in a thick red sauce |
| Grains: | Pizza |
| Desserts: | Bittersweet chocolate, berries in dark chocolate sauce, espresso gelato |
Zinfandel
Medium- to heavy-bodied with blackberry, raspberry, black pepper and smoke tones with a spicy finish.
Food Pairing
| Meats & Fish: | Grilled sausages, ribs, Cajun spiced fish, cioppino, duck and roasted meats |
| Cheese & Nuts: | Ripe Brie, triple-cream and aged cheeses |
| Fruits & Vegetables: | Cranberries, all types of peppers, especially grilled |
| Sauces: | Spicy, Cajun and pepper sauces, hot salsa |
| Desserts: | Spice cake, gingerbread, orange-chocolate, carrot cake |
