Majestic :: Wine and Food Pairs

Wine and Food Pairings

If you'd like some rules of thumb to help you sort out the possibilities, here are two that have stood the test of time. Rule One: Drink red wine with meat, and white wine with fish and poultry. Rule Two: Forget about Rule One and marry any food with any wine you wish; when it comes to personal preferences, there are no rights and wrongs.

There are, of course, some classic food and wine matches that satisfy again and again. Based on our experience, the following matches of widely available dishes and cuisines with the wines of North America are worthy of special consideration. One caveat: Sauces can change everything, so ask the cook, sommelier or a waiter for a flavor forecast.

Appetizers

ANTIPASTO

Pinot Grigio, (Dry) Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Gamay Beaujolais, Barbera

ASPARAGUS

Sauvignon (Fumé) Blanc, (Dry) Riesling

CARPACCIO (BEEF)

Barbera, Cabernet Rosé, Rhône Blends

CARPACCIO (TUNA)

Sauvignon (Fumé) Blanc

CAVIAR

Brut Sparkling Wine

CLAMS (RAW OR CASINO)

Sauvignon (Fumé) Blanc, Brut Sparkling Wine, (Dry) Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc,

COLD MEATS

Riesling, Gamay Beaujolais, Barbera, Chenin Blanc, Chambourcin Rosé

CRUDITÉS

Pinot Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Gamay Beaujolais

FOIE GRAS

Brut Sparkling Wine, Late-Harvest Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Noir

NICOISE SALAD

Sauvignon (Fumé) Blanc

NUTS AND/OR OLIVES

Brut Sparkling Wine, Sherry

OYSTERS (RAW)

Sauvignon (Fumé) Blanc, Brut Sparkling Wine, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, (Dry) Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Chenin Blanc

PASTA SALAD

Sémillon, Sauvignon (Fumé) Blanc, (Dry) Chenin Blanc, (Dry) Riesling, Pinot Grigio

PASTA WITH CREAM SAUCE

Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc

PASTA WITH SHELLFISH

Sauvignon (Fumé) Blanc, Chardonnay

PASTA WITH TOMATO SAUCE

Barbera, Sangiovese, Zinfandel Rhône Blends

PASTA WITH VEGETABLES

Pinot Blanc, Dry Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Gamay Beaujolais, Barbera, Chianti

PATÉS

Gewürztraminer, Chenin Blanc, Gamay Beaujolais, Riesling, Brut Sparkling Wine, Cabernet Franc, Vin Gris

PROSCIUTTO AND MELON

Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Late Harvest Riesling or Gewürztraminer, Muscat

QUICHE

Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Gamay Beaujolais

SCALLOPS

Sauvignon (Fumé) Blanc, Chardonnay, Brut Sparkling Wine, Pinot Noir, Sémillon, experiment with white wines

SMOKED FISH (TROUT, HERRING)

Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Brut Sparkling Wine

SOUPS

Chianti for bean soups, or (Solera) Sherry