Welcome to Drink & Pair where I write articles about food and wine pairings. Most of my content is directed to those new at drinking wine and thus I try to keep my pairings simple, while still going into enough detail as to why that food and wine pairing works.
The beautiful thing about Food and Wine Pairing is that it can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. With Drink & Pair, my goal has always been to keep it simple, while dropping enough hints to allow you to get more in-depth with your pairings if you wish. I do this by writing blogs that explain the more advanced nuances of Food and Wine Pairings, yet I offer tables with Food and Wine scores to keep it easy for those of you in a rush.
My blogs are from a North American view, with my most popular wine pairings being ham, chicken alfredo, filet mignon, turkey and roast beef.
I refuse to embrace Artificial Intelligence, and I assure you, all of my pairings do not use AI like I am seeing many other newer wine pairing websites use. This site and wine pairing database have been around in one form or anther since 2010 and has been built slowly over the years. Pairings have either been tried out by myself, with others in a restaurant/gathering, or heavily researched by consulting other sommeliers. (certain food allergies prevent me from trying every dish)
The food and wine pairing database above is a great tool to find an excellent wine pairing match. A 3.5 star match means the pairing is good, and your guests will enjoy it. Also at a 3.5, either the wine or food will taste better (or taste enhanced) in the company of one another, but not both. For example, at a 3.5 your burger loaded with ketchup and Dijon mustard might taste better with a Rioja Reserva, however, the wine’s flavour will not improve with this pairing.
A rating of 4 means we are starting to see the food and wine influence one another, and you’ll taste notable improvements for both when they are paired together
A 5 star ranking means the pairing is a Holy Grail and you are in for a meal you will never forget.
The matching tool does not specifically use branded wines, so you need to type in the type of wine (Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Shiraz, Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc). You can also use the filters at the bottom of the tool to narrow down your searches.
Latest Food & Wine Pairings
Crab Bisque Pairing
For Crab Bisque, think of wines like a zesty Chardonnay, nutty Amontillado Sherry, or a lively glass of Champagne. These wines cut through the bisque's rich, creamy texture, giving your palate a refreshing twist [...]
Veal Chops & Wine Pairing
Veal chops are a delicate and tender meat that pairs well with a range of wines, from whites to light reds, each complementing the meat's subtle flavours without overpowering it. For baked veal chops, [...]
Venison Stew & Wine Pairing
Venison stew, with its deep, gamey flavours and rich, earthy tones, pairs well with full-bodied, robust red wines. Some top selections include Nero d'Avola, Ribera del Duero, and Châteauneuf du Pape, each bringing a [...]
Guinness Beef Stew & Wine Pairing
Guinness Irish Stout is the best pairing for Guinness and beef stew because the stout’s roasted malt flavours align naturally with the depth of the slow-cooked beef and vegetables. The rich, slightly bitter notes [...]
Rack of Lamb & Wine Pairing
Rack of lamb pairs beautifully with a variety of robust red wines, depending on the seasoning and preparation. For a caraway-crusted rack of lamb, Cabernet Sauvignon stands out with its bold tannins and rich [...]
Lamb Curry & Wine Pairing
For mild lamb curry, red wines like Shiraz, Zinfandel, Carménère, Primitivo, and Merlot are excellent choices. These wines offer bold fruit flavours, earthy undertones, and balanced tannins that pair well with the richness of [...]
Vegetable Tempura & Wine Pairing
When it comes to general Vegetable Tempura, sparkling wines like Cava and Prosecco provide refreshing effervescence that cuts through the oiliness of the fried vegetables, making each bite feel light. Sauvignon Blanc also shines [...]
Chili Con Queso & Wine Pairing
Chili Con Queso pairs beautifully with low alcohol and light wines, such as Lambrusco, Cava, Riesling and Beaujolais. Red wines work better if your dip has beef in it. White, or sparkling wines work [...]
Salmon Loaf & Wine Pairing
The best wines to pair with Salmon Loaf are Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, and Beaujolais Villages. Sauvignon Blanc is amazing with Salmon Loaf prepared with a lemon-dill sauce as the grassy notes of the wine go [...]
Egg Salad Sandwiches & Wine Pairing
The best wines to pair with Egg Salad Sandwiches are white wines such as Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, or Riesling. If you are holding a banquet, where there are a variety of fancy sandwiches with [...]
Bagna Cauda & Wine Pairing
Bagna Cauda is a tough food to pair for, as it's a dip made from garlic, olive oil and anchovies, making it very bold. In addition, you are dipping a whole range of vegetables [...]
Veal Piccata & Wine Pairing
Veal Piccata pairs best with citrusy or buttery white wines such as Chardonnay, Soave, Sauvignon Blanc, Chablis and Fiano. A lot of wine pairing sites recommend red wine with Veal Piccata. While these pairings will [...]