Enjoying a glass of beautifully crafted, complex red or white wine makes any day a little more exciting. At Hidden Lake Winery in Aviston, IL, they’re passionate about wine and pairing their creations with the perfect dish at their celebrated winery. If you’re new to wine, here are a few helpful tips for choosing the right food option. 

Pair Food & Wine With These Local Winery Tips

1. Bring Out the Best in Your Wine

The ideal pairing celebrates both the food and the wine you’re enjoying. To ensure the combination is tasty and complementary, know the wine’s characteristics and explore dishes that will bring out its flavors. A bold red wine paired with red meat or a charcuterie plate, for example, will amplify the smoky, cherry-like qualities in your glass. Buttery white wine, on the other hand, balances out seafood and creates a delicious pairing.

2. Avoid Bitter Wines & Bitter Foods

When it comes to wine pairing, there can be too much of a good thing. Drinking a bitter red with high tannins alongside a bitter dish is too harsh on the palette. Try to find wines on the menu that are sweeter than the food you’re enjoying. 

3. Choose Opposites

A combination of salty and sweet is always pleasing and surprising. Try champagne or a dry sparkling wine with salted almonds or breadsticks and salted butter. The sweeter notes in the wine will stand out against the saltiness of the food. 

4. Match Dry Rosé With Cheese

When in doubt, a dry rosé pairs nicely with a variety of cheeses. Rose has the acidity of white wine yet the fruity character of red that mixes well with any indulgent cheese dish. For the perfect party snack, prepare a cheese plate with soft, medium, and hard options alongside crusty bread, crackers, and different types of rosé.

Aviston, IL, is home to the award-winning Hidden Lake Winery. As a beautiful winery that offers full-service dining in their restaurant and a stunning event venue for special events, they are the region’s best source for information on pairings and new wines. Visit their website or call (618) 228-9111 to learn more about their wines and when to tour their estate.