We’ve all heard the term Food and Wine pairing, but what does it actually mean?

The concept of food and wine pairing is fairly simple… certain wines will be better suited to some styles of cuisine than others. But a trip to the bottle shop can be overwhelming! Do you always find yourself reaching for the same old bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and wonder if there’s something else on those shelves that would make your meal just that little bit more exciting?

• Pinot Noir and Dolcetto: The perfect companion to recipes made with earthy ingredients such as mushrooms and truffles.
• Chardonnays: Enjoy with salmon or with any kind of seafood in a rich sauce.
• Sauvignon Blanc: The ideal accompaniment to tangy foods or zesty sauces.
• Cabernet and Bordeaux: The robust flavour of these wines work beautifully with steak and lamb chops with strong herbed sauces.
• Champagne: A dry sparkling wine is extra refreshing when served with salty foods like Japanese noodles.
• Dry Rosé: Some cheeses will pair better with white and some with red, but almost all will pair well with a Dry Rosé.
• Pinot Grigio or Chablis: Team with light seafood dishes to add greater depth of flavour.
• Shiraz: A Shiraz is bold enough to drink with meats served with heavily spiced and sweet sauces.
• Riesling: The slight sweetness of Riesling helps tame the heat of spicy Asian and Indian dishes.

Modern mega bottle shops also make the decision-making process so much harder. With such a vast variety on their shelves, it’s simply impossible to know where to begin. Locally-owned, independent bottle shops such as Southpoint’s very own Fleet Street Merchants, stock a carefully curated selection of local and international varieties and pride themselves on providing exceptional service and fabulous recommendations.

Pay them a visit on your next visit to Southpoint for the very best tips and advice!