Pairing the Wine and Food the Right Way for Your Celebration!
By: Christine Flanagan
You’ve thought of all the little details to make your special event memorable for you and your guests so let us provide you with tips on pairing the perfect wines to go with your menu.
Whether you consider yourself a wine connoisseur or enjoy a casual glass of wine now and then we are here to help you pair the wine and food the right way.
As the leading event venue in Suffolk VA, we have the most talented Director of Food and Beverage at the Suffolk Conference Center. She is available to discuss options at various price points when it comes to pairing wines. We’ve put together 6 general tips for wine pairing with entrée options at our property.
Why is Wine and Food Pairing Significant?
What better way to impress your guests with a delicious meal and a complimentary glass of wine that takes the meal to a whole new level. The idea is that the food and wine should balance each other. A perfectly paired wine can greatly enhance an already delightful meal, think of it as the icing on a cake.
Choose Wine and Food That You Enjoy
While pairing wine with food is about balance and paying attention to key flavors it is also about what you like.
If you despise rare steak or white wine, the perfectly paired companion beverage or menu probably won’t change your mind. But if you have selected a dish and wine that perhaps don’t pair perfectly at least you know you will enjoy the meal overall.
Remember this shouldn’t be stressful, it should be enjoyable!
6 Tips for Pairing Wine
- Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir pairs well with earthy flavors, think dishes with Mushrooms.
Suffolk Conference Center pairing: Chicken Marsala or Chicken Madeira
- Chardonnay
This dry, full-bodied wine pairs well with hearty fish or any seafood in the rich sauce.
Suffolk Conference Center Pairing: Salmon Topped with Crabmeat
- Cabernet Sauvignon
Rich, bold Cabernet Sauvignon pairs with juicy red meats and spiced dishes.
Suffolk Conference Center Pairing: Grilled 6 oz. Tournedos Filet or 10 oz. New York Strip
- Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with zesty flavors like vinaigrettes, roasted vegetables, grilled chicken and lighter fish.
Suffolk Conference Center Pairing: Grilled Chicken and Shrimp with Roasted Red Bell Pepper Sauce
- Pinot Grigio
Another great wine to pair with light fish dishes and fresh vegetables.
Suffolk Conference Center Pairing: Grilled Salmon with Boursin Cheese Cream Sauce
- Riesling
Rieslings pair well with sweet, spicy flavors and are very versatile.
Suffolk Conference Center Pairing: Chicken Oscar with Asparagus, crabmeat and Hollandaise Sauce.