Correct Wine Types and Pairing with Foods

Q. Did you read one of my articles about red wine?

If you have not read this article, do so soon and discover the health benefits of drinking just one six-ounce glass of red wine per day. If you buy red or white wine, you need to store the bottles correctly and at the right temperature.

• It is important to store wine in a cool place with a consistent temperature of between 45-degrees and 65-degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature for wine is 55-degrees Fahrenheit.
• Do not store wine in bright light and where there is a lot of vibration.
• Do not move or turn the stored wine.

• Some people complain that the corks of their wine bottles dry out. The best option is to store the wine on their side in a mini-wine cooler or refrigerator. By storing wine on their sides, this keeps the cork wet, thus preventing cracking of the cork. Storing wine bottles on their sides also keep air from entering the container.

• Never leave the wine to sit for long periods at room temperature. The high temperatures of the surroundings outside the cooler ages the wine faster.

Serving Wine Properly

Q. What is the best wine to serve with certain foods?

There is a unique art of serving wine, and it may take the newbie a certain amount of research to be comfortable in serving their guests' wine. A good dinner wine needs pairing with food at the appropriate temperature. For example:

• Excellent white wine tastes best when served at 50 degrees Fahrenheit to 55-degrees Fahrenheit. When you plan to serve a dinner wine, place the bottle on its side in the refrigerator for about two hours before serving.
• When serving red or white wine, it enhances the flavor to open the bottle for 15-minutes before serving. This habit allows the wine to breathe.

What is the correct wine choice?

Pair Wines with Food Choices

• Gewurztraminer, Chining Blanc, Riesling, and Beaujolaispair well with hot and spicy foods.
• Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sparkling White Wines pair well with acidic, and tart foods.
• Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot pair well with richer foods.
• Chining Blanc, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer pair well with salty or smoked foods.
• Pasta with tomato sauce dishes pair well Zinfandel or Chianti.
• Fish, and lean meats pairs well with Chardonnay or White Burgundy.
• Beef or Lamb pairs well with Cabernet Sauvignon, Chianti, Merlot, Red Bordeaux, or Zinfandel.
• Fish or moderate and high-fat main courses pairs well with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, White Zinfandel, or White Burgundy.
• Chicken, Pork or Veal pairs well with Beaujolais, Chardonnay, Riesling, or White Rhone
• Pasta with Vegetable pairs well with Riesling, or Sauvignon Blanc.
• Shellfish pairs well with Chablis, Chardonnay, Macon Blanc, or Sauvignon Blanc.
• I know that there are a lot of people who are more versed in wine. Many individuals know more about pairing wines with a variety of food groups then I do.

There is a host of companies and countries to order wines from along with advice on how to order wine for use in cooking and serving. I do know that you get a better price and possibly quality of wine when you order from quality wine companies, versus buying your wine in superstores.

There are some excellent wine clubs to join, offering excellent prices and quality wines to enjoy. These wine clubs send you your orders after they individualize your preferences.

I am still learning and find that wines are a fantastic commodity in addition to the many health benefits of the red wines. I hope that what I have learned will benefit anyone interested in cooking with wines and their many health benefits from just one six-ounce glass of red wine per day.

The critical thing to remember is not to overdo a good thing. Do not drink more than two six-ounce glasses of red wine per day and only use the recommended amount of red or white wine that a recipe requires.

Additional Note

If you want to increase the health benefit of just one six-ounce glass of red wine per day, add one (and only one!) square of rich dark chocolate per day.

Researchers found that there are significant health benefits when eating (one square of dark chocolate with one glass of red wine per day.)

To this day there are conflicting opinions as to the benefits of certain types of dark chocolate and red wine.

**Always consult with your doctor before cooking with wine or consuming any alcoholic beverages. Consult your doctor before adding additional sweet treats to your diet if you are on any prescribed diets such as a diabetic diet.

Reference Only

Personal Experience

Family Interview

wtop.com/anne-arundel-medical-center/2017/02/the-heart-truth-about-dark-chocolate-and-red-wine/