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

Minervois (Red) & Food Pairing

November 29, 2024|

Minervois red wine pairs best with hearty and meaty dishes such as hamburgers, smoked wild boar, roasted venison, lamb, and meat lover's pizza. Minervois red wine is a rich and versatile choice from southern [...]

Crab Bisque Pairing

November 16, 2024|

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

November 10, 2024|

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

November 8, 2024|

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

October 26, 2024|

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

October 19, 2024|

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

October 18, 2024|

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

October 12, 2024|

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

September 23, 2024|

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

September 13, 2024|

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 [...]

Bagna Cauda & Wine Pairing

September 10, 2024|

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 [...]