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If you are set the task of picking the perfect wine to go with a big meal, the stress of finding the right one can be overwhelming. While it may seem daunting, there are several tips that you should keep in mind to help you find the perfect food and wine pairing. Here are a few rules that every adult should know, helping you get the right food and wine pairing.

Trust Your Taste Above Anything Else

The most important thing that you should keep in mind is to always eat and drink what you like. If you’re hosting a dinner party, there’s no point selecting wines that you don’t feel confident with. You will want your guests to be impressed with the pairing, so it’s best to pick wines that you love. Even if the pairing isn’t perfect, at least you will still be enjoying what you’re drinking.

Finding the Right Balance

Food and wine should be partners who both help and complement each other. Finding the right balance is essential to getting the right pairing. Neither should overwhelm one another, so spending time deciding what food and drink you pair will impress your dinner guests. For example, rich foods need a wine that won’t fade when compared to bold flavours, whereas light foods should be accompanied by a delicate wine. When trying to establish the weight of your food, you need to look at the fat content. Also, analyse the wine you’re planning to use and take clues from its colour and grape variety.

Pair Wine with the Most Prominent Feature

Pairing wine with the most prominent feature of a dish (usually the sauce over the main ingredient) is essential in finding the right pairing. For example, baked salmon with a cream sauce will work well with a different wine than salmon accompanied with a light dill sauce. Wines such as Malbec can be teamed with spicier dishes, as the flavours of the rub bring out all the spicier elements of the wine.

Structure and Texture

The wine you choose to go with your food can have a big impact on how the food tastes. Make sure to serve high-acid foods with high-acid wines. Wines like Sauvignon Blanc work perfectly with salad. However, make sure not to pair fatty fishes with tannic wines. Considering body and texture when pairing food and wine can make a huge difference and help make it easier to select the right match.

Purchasing Wine

With so many varieties of wine to pick from, not only can it be hard to know where to begin, but you will also need a place to store all the bottles. A wine rack can be great to use to house all your wines so make sure that you check out the selection on wineandbarrels.co.uk who sell some of our favourite products. There you can browse a wide range of different wine racks that can fit perfectly in your home.

Above all else, trust your own taste. If you feel confident with the wine and food pairing, there shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Also, looking for flavour links can give you more of an insight into what types of ingredients will go well with your food and wine.