What are your thoughts on the old saying of 'white wine with white meat' and 'red wine with red meat'? Sure, there are some golden rules for food and wine matching and much can be said about that one combination you've had where everything worked in total unison and it took you to eternal bliss.
How do you feel about ordering wine before you order food? Will the kitchen be able to cope if they're a seafood restaurant and you want to drink blockbuster reds all night? One restaurant in Paris that puts wine first is 'Il Vino d'Enrico Bernardo'. They create your dish once you order the wine! Cool concept, very spontaneous and the creator is a trained chef who has also been crowned 'best sommelier in the world'. His name is Enrico Bernardo. Click here to check out his restaurant.
Why not push the boundaries and challenge your perceptions when it comes to food and wine combinations? You won't know until you try and that's half the fun! Here's some ideas to ponder:
- Oysters natural with shallots, vodka & finger lime dressing - infuse a bottle of Belvedere vodka with the zest of 2-3 finger limes for 2 days. Finger limes are currently in season - don't use the pith as it will pollute the citrus infusion and I'd recommend straining out the zest once you are happy with the flavour. Keep in fridge and serve 30ml chilled with this dish for a refreshing match to get the palate going. Click here to grab a bottle of this Polish delight! ($59)
- 'BBQ chicken with tabouli, creamed corn & roasted spuds' - why not try a vintage beer? The 2011 Endeavour 'Reserve' Pale Ale is brewed just out of Sydney (Canyonleigh) and has the palate weight to pack a punch against this dish. There are three different types of hops used and the malty characters work a treat with the char of the chicken. Click here to buy a case. ($69)
- 'Crispy barramundi with mashed peas & braised fennel' - try a succulent pinot noir from a cool climate region such as the Canberra District. Nick Spencer is making some great wines down that way and his 2009 Eden Road 'The Long Road' Pinot Noir is vibrant and real winner with stronger, earthy fish such as barramundi. Click here to purchase. ($26 per bottle)
- Veal schnitzel, cabbage salad & rosti - it's summer so why not venture down the Rosé path? A fresh, dry and more savoury style is recommended for this dish so I would suggest the biodynamic 2011 Krinklewood 'Francesca' Mourvèdre Rosé from the Hunter Valley. Click here to order some. ($25 per bottle)
- Chocolate pudding with hazelnuts - aged Sake works a treat with dark chocolate - the 1999 Chōkyū ‘Noble Brew’ Sake from Wagayama prefecture in Japan ($69 per bottle) is sherry-like and has amazing rancio and sesame aromatics with hints of caramel and toffee on the palate. If you've never tried aged sake then what are you waiting for? If you haven’t got a sweet tooth then it also works well with mushroom consommé. Click here to grab some.
A glass of wine should be something you can enjoy with or without food. Take it as seriously as you like but why not try out something new with your friends at home? I'm keen to hear about your favourite combinations or any new discoveries you might find.
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