When you’re at a restaurant or making food at home, it can be hard to know how to pair wine. At HaloVino, our wine blog is going back to wine basics and sharing our favorite wine + food pairings to make sure you enjoy every last sip.
Regardless of which food + wine pairing you choose, a HaloVino wine glass will enhance your wine experience so you can enjoy dinner knowing that you’ve made a sustainable choice with your reusable, recyclable wine glass. Order your own HaloVino tumbler set today.
Best White Wine Pairings
These white wines are listed from sweet to dry to give you wine basics for proper wine + food pairing. Find a wine or food you love and let us at HaloVino know!
Dessert Wines
This sweet wine should be as sweet as your dessert. Try out different dessert wines to test their sweetness and pair them with something equally sweet. We suggest a slice of artisan pie or cheesecake.
Reisling
If you like a sweeter Reisling, you’ll want to pick something that is also sweet to compliment the flavor of the wine. A great dish pairing is honey pork.
Gewürztraminer
The extra sugar that makes Gewürztraminer sweet also helps tame more spicy dishes. We recommend a classic spicy Indian Chicken Curry.
Moscato
A good Moscato pairs well with spicy Asian food. If you can handle the spice, have a glass of Moscato with made-from-scratch kung pao chicken and the sweetness of the wine will help cool your palate.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a versatile wine that always pairs well with fish in a rich sauce. Try a scallop chowder for a delicious Chardonnay combination.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc has a zesty lime flavor which makes it pair well with tart dishes. For dessert, try a kiwi or lemon curd tart to bring out the zestiness of the wine.
Muscadet
The dryness of a Muscadet makes it a great palate cleanser. Serve a glass of Muscadet with oysters for a sophisticated take on dinner.
Best Red Wine Pairings
If you prefer red wine, there are still plenty of food + wine combinations you can enjoy with a glass of red wine. Just don’t forget your wine basics: make sure you find a wine and dish you’ll love.
Ice Wine
Since ice wine is so sweet, serve it with a simple desert so you can enjoy all the flavors of the wine. Try fresh fruit and cheese to bring out the sweetness of this wine.
Port
Port is a favorite drink in England and pairs well with salty snacks. Pair some salty Stilton cheese and crackers with a Port for delicious hors d’oeuvres.
Zinfandel
A glass of Zinfandel loves being paired with any type of meat. To compliment a spicy Zinfandel, try a smoked meat like beef brisket.
Merlot
Merlot has a wide range of styles which means it pairs well with both leaner meat and lightly-spiced dark meats. For an amazing combination, try flank steak with blue cheese sauce and a glass of Merlot.
Pinot Noir
Pair Pinot Noir with earthy flavored dishes for an amazing food + wine combination. If you like truffles, serve a glass of Pinot Noir with truffle risotto and impress your guests with the taste.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Use juicy red meat to pull out the dark-berry flavor of a Cabernet Sauvignon. Pair a steak topped with Gorgonzola sauce with your favorite bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Bordeaux
A bottle of Bordeaux can be some of the most expensive wine you’ll find. So if you’re indulging in a glass (or bottle) or Bordeaux, pair this dry wine with a meat that will match its sophistication. Try a grilled rack of lamb with garlic and rosemary for a delicious combination.
Complete Your Food + Wine With HaloVino
At HaloVino, we hope these wine basics help you decide the best wine + food combination for dinner. If you’re packing these combinations for a picnic, make sure you bring along some HaloVino no-glass wine glasses!