Read below for 6 Perfect Pairing Rules that will not only help you expand your knowledge of wine and food pairings, but allow you to discover the many renowned wine and food regions located across California.
Pairing Rule #1
Serve a dry rosé with hors d'oeuvres.
- Rosé with Creamy Anchoïade
- Rosé with Roquefort Gougères
Good rosé combines the fresh acidity and light body of white wines with the fruity character of reds. This makes it the go-to wine when serving a wide range of hors d'oeuvres, from crudités to gougères.
Visit Napa & Sonoma Counties
Napa Valley put wine on the map for America in the 1970s and has established itself as one of the world’s greatest wine producing regions. If you're looking for an interesting bubbly wine out of Napa Valley, Domaine Chandon, the leading sparkling wine producer in the Napa Valley, has released its popular Chandon Rose sparkling wine. Among the internationally acclaimed wines produced in this small region include are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese, Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc. Napa Valley offers the perfect wine country getaway with luxury inns, cuisine, and other fun activities suited for couples and families. Click here to view Napa Valley Food & Wine Hotel Packages from Unique Inns.
The Sonoma County wine region is located above San Francisco in the northern California coastal region, offering some of the best Chardonnays, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wine that California has to offer. Sonoma County embodies ideal and diverse grape growing weather: from valley to hillside, moist ocean coast to dry inland, and cool southern regions that complement the warmer, more northern areas. Visit Kunde Family Vineyards for ultra-premium, estate-grown wines with twenty different varieties of winegrapes that are sustainably farmed. Click here to view Sonoma County's Perfect Pairing Passport Deals.
Pairing Rule #2
Serve an unoaked white with anything you can squeeze a lemon or lime on.
- Sauvignon Blanc with Smoked Sablefish and Potato Salad with Capers and Onions
- Albariño with Pan-Glazed Salmon with Oyster Sauce and Basil
White wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño and Vermentino (typically made in stainless steel tanks rather than oak barrels) have a bright, citrusy acidity that acts like a zap of lemon or lime juice to heighten flavors in everything from fresh oysters to shellfish.
Visit Los Angeles Wine Country
Discover wineries located 45 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles. Wines from Agua Dulce Vineyard have won multiple medals in several national wine competitions. Wines produced include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Syrah, Port, Muscat, and Rose of Syrah. There are also small boutique wineries producing wines using grapes from Napa and Sonoma. Laguna Canyon is known for their fruit-forward winemaking style.
Pairing Rule #3
Try low-alcohol wines with spicy foods.
- Riesling with Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts with Jamaican Curry
- Riesling with Shrimp with Green Beans and Toasted Coconut
Alcohol accentuates the oils that make spicy food hot. So, when confronted with dishes like a fiery curried chicken or Thai stir-fry, look for wines that are low in alcohol, such as off-dry German Rieslings (especially since a touch of sweetness helps counter spiciness, too).
Visit Mendocino County Wine Country
Mendocino County, which is located just a few hours north of the San Francisco Bay Area, has become recognized by wine lovers nationwide for Rieslings, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio. Riesling is a white wine known for its distinctive floral qualities and can range from crisp and dry to full-bodied and spicy to luscious and sweet.
Navarro Vineyards, a family-operated winery founded in 1973, prides itself on sustainable farming and avoids the use of insecticides and herbicides. Of the 910-acre ranch, 90 acres are planted in grapes: Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Muscat. Mendocino County is also known for unique inns, vintage tasting shops, and galleries.
Pairing Rule #4
Match rich red meats with tannic red wines.
- Cabernet with lamb, strong-flavored cheese, and chocolates (especially dark)
- Syrah with peppered red meats, sausage, and stews
Tannins, the astringent compounds in red wines that help give the wine structure, are an ideal complement to luxurious meats—making brawny reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah great matches for braised duck legs or pan-seared sausages.
Visit Temecula Wine Country
Located in southwestern Riverside County, Temecula is California's only prominent American Viticultural Area south of Los Angeles. For the adventurous wine lover, it's an ideal destination for a short day trip from Los Angeles, Orange County, Palm Springs or San Diego. Whether you are looking for Zinfandel or more traditional wines such as Chardonnay or Cabernet, you will find them in Temecula wineries. Be sure to dine and stay amongst the vineyards.
Pairing Rule #5
With lighter meats, pair the wine with the sauce.
- Chardonnay with Chicken Breasts with Leeks and Pine Nuts
- Riesling with Pork Chops with Shallots
Often the chief protein in a dish—chicken or pork, say—isn't the primary flavor. Think of pork chops in a delicate white wine sauce versus pork chops in a zesty red wine sauce; in each case, the sauce dictates the pairing choice.
Visit Santa Barbara Wine Country
Santa Barbara wine country, often referred to as the America Riviera and located on California’s “South Coast,” is still largely undiscovered – uncrowded, sophisticated without being pretentions, and spectacularly beautiful, boasting miles and miles of supremely beautiful beaches. Santa Barbara wine country is well-known for Chardonnay; this Burgundian grape yields white wines with creamy mouthfeel and an aroma that can encompass green apples, pineapple, citrus, pears, and butterscotch. Santa Barbara is also known for many other varietals including Sauvignon Blanc, Rhone Whites, Dry Roses, and Pinot Noir, Syrah, Barbera, and a number of other varietals. Click here to view Santa Barbara's "Perfect Pairing" Food & Wine Hotel Packages.
Pairing Rule #6
Sweet and spicy with barbecue and tomato-based sauces.
- Red Zinfandel with rack of lamb and roasted potatoes
- Dry Zinfandel with baked Penne with Meat & Mushroom Sauce
Red Zinfandel makes wonderful, rich, full-bodied spicy reds that are packed with ripe berry fruit and supple tannins. The prominent flavors are blackberries, spices, and ground pepper.
Visit Amador County
Amador County is located in the heart of the historic Sierra foothill Gold Country. Most wineries are small, family-owned operations, where hospitality is the norm. Amador is renowned for producing California’s finest zinfandels, some of them crafted from 19th-century vines. In recent years, Amador vintners have also produced varietals including Syrah, Viognier, Barbera, and Sangiovese. Stay overnight at the Handford House Inn, and don’t forget to dine at Taste, rated as one of the top 12 restaurants in the Sacramento area.
For those who want to venture beyond, the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) has compiled the latest offers to other renowned wine country regions across California, which produces 90 percent of U.S. wine. Most deals are valid through April and beyond, subject to availability and restrictions. Cheers to the perfect vacation!
The Inside Scoop
Featured Videos
