• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Suburbia Unwrapped
  • Recipes
    • How To's
    • Breakfast
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts and Snacks
    • Other
  • Crafts & DIY
    • Crafts
    • Decor
    • Beauty Recipes
    • Cleaning
  • Family Life
    • Homemaking
    • Happiness
    • Having Fun
    • Outdoor Living
    • Pet Care
    • Saving Money
    • Giving Back
    • Health
  • Parenting
    • Education
    • Environment Worksheets
    • Raising Teens
  • Entertainment
    • Books
    • What to Watch
    • Party Tips
    • Restaurants
    • Technology
  • Looking Good
    • Accessories
    • Beauty Tips
    • Fashion
    • Shopping

Home » Entertainment » Choosing the Right Wine for Your Meal

Choosing the Right Wine for Your Meal

March 3, 2017 by Diane Hoffmaster 6 Comments

Posts feature partner companies & may be sponsored. Post contains affiliate links & I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Last Updated on October 12, 2021 by Diane Hoffmaster

If you enjoy entertaining guests, choosing the right wine for your meal can be a challenge. My husband and I enjoy a glass of wine now and then. While we certainly do not consider ourselves wine snobs,  we can definitely taste the difference between a $3.00 bottle of wine and a $25.00 bottle.

I have learned over the years that I have definite preferences in terms of the variety of wine I enjoy.  The food I serve with it also plays a big part in how the wine actually tastes.  Food and wine can complement one another or hinder your ability to enjoy both of them. 

Choosing the right wine for your meal is important and there are several factors you need to keep in mind before you grab a bottle off the shelf.  Here are a few suggestions that might help you find the perfect match for your next meal!

If you enjoy party planning or entertaining guests, choosing the right wine for your meal can be a challenge. Here are a few tips to make it easier.

 

Table of Contents

  • Choosing the Right Wine for Your Meal
    • How heavy is your meal?
    • What type of protein are you serving?
    • Ask for help
    • Pay attention to flavors
    • Price doesn't always matter
    • Do your research
    • Like this post?  Here are a few more you may enjoy!
  • Creative Ways to Reuse Wine Bottles
  • White Wine Sangria Recipe

Choosing the Right Wine for Your Meal

 

How heavy is your meal?

In general, red wines tend to be 'heavier', and white wines are 'lighter'.  If you are serving a meal with delicate flavors, choose a white wine.  If your meal is very robust and spicy, choose a red.

What type of protein are you serving?

In general, white meats, such as fish and chicken, should be eaten with white wine and red meats and sauces go better with red wine.  This is not a hard and fast rule, though, just a guide.

Ask for help

If you don't know what to choose, ASK.   When you are in a restaurant and your server asks you for your drink choice, ask them what wines they recommend. 

If you are in a liquor store, talk to the owner.  Let them know what flavors you have enjoyed in the past and how much you want to spend.

If you enjoy party planning or entertaining guests, choosing the right wine for your meal can be a challenge. Here are a few tips to make it easier.

Pay attention to flavors

Pay attention to what you like.  When you have a glass of wine at a party or when you are out to dinner, take note of the region it comes from, the variety, and the year. 

Take note of how dry or sweet it is and the subtle flavors.  That way, you can order something similar the next time you are out.

Price doesn't always matter

Trust your pallet.  Just because a bottle of wine costs $100 doesn't mean you are going to like it.  Just like a $10 bottle of wine could be delicious!  Don't be afraid to experiment a little bit.

Do your research

Read blogs, magazines, books, and whatever else you need to find out what others are saying about a particular wine.  Reading opinions from a range of different pallets will help you get a feel for wine before you spend your money on a bottle.

Choosing the right wine for your meal doesn't have to be complicated.  You don't need to have a fancy wine degree or be a food snob to choose the right wine to pair with your dinner.

A little bit of reading and trying new flavors when you are out to eat will go a long way towards your wine pairing success! Pretty soon, you will be an expert and start hosting a wine and cheese party with friends and family. 

 

Like this post?  Here are a few more you may enjoy!

Creative Ways to Reuse Wine Bottles

Creative Ways to Resuse Wine Bottles

 

White Wine Sangria Recipe

White Wine Sangria Recipe with Fresh Basil is an easy summer cocktail recipe

 


Diane Hoffmaster

Diane is a professional blogger and nationally certified pharmacy technician at Good Pill Pharmacy.  She has two college aged kids, one husband and more pets than she will admit to. She earned her BS in Microbiology at the University of New Hampshire  but left her career in science to become a stay at home mom. Years of playing with LEGO and coloring with crayons had her craving a more grown up purpose to her life and she began blogging and freelance writing full time.  You can learn more about her HERE.

« Uses for Shredded Paper After Your Home Office Decluttering is Finished!
Unique Kitchen Science Experiment for Kids »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Minta

    March 03, 2017 at 10:03 am

    Awesome guide always a great thing to have when shopping for the perfect wine.

    Reply
    • Diane

      March 03, 2017 at 1:03 pm

      Definitely handy tips to know before you shop!

      Reply
  2. The Rebel Chick

    March 03, 2017 at 11:36 am

    I should probably print this out and tape it to my fridge! I actually only drink red wines with steak, everything else seems to taste better with white! Or I just drink water, which is what I usually drink when I am eating 🙂

    Reply
    • Diane

      March 03, 2017 at 1:03 pm

      Steak is perfect with red wine. A nice bold flavor!

      Reply
  3. daisy

    March 03, 2017 at 12:22 pm

    I love wines that friends recommend because it always seems risky to spend so much on a bottle of wine without knowing if you will love it.

    Reply
    • Diane

      March 03, 2017 at 1:03 pm

      Personal recommendations are always helpful!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Hi, I'm Diane! I'm a busy Atlanta area mom of two college kids trying to stay sane in the chaos of suburban life. I love cooking, gardening, reading and motorcycle rides with my husband.

Stay Connected!

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Press Page For PR
  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy and Disclaimer

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Copyright © 2021 Suburbia Unwrapped