Creating a wine and salad pairing takes a little practice. Not only do the combinations have to contain a sweet and savory blend, but they should also produce a balance that naturally enhances each flavor. Here’s a guide you can follow to select the perfect wine and salad pairing on your next evening out.

3 Salads & the Wines That Pair Well With Them

1. Caesar Salad

The dressing on this salad is made from a mixture of cheese, lemon juice, olive oil, and other fresh ingredients, which gives it a thick creamy consistency and a high level of acidity. This requires a lighter wine pairing to prevent overwhelming the delicate flavors. One option is a lightly oaked chardonnay. The slight earthy taste of the oak complements the soft hints of citrus and floral.

2. House Salad

While the house salad may differ depending on the restaurant, the main ingredients remain about the same — fresh greens, tomatoes, red onions, and cucumbers. The only thing you have to watch out for is the dressing that comes with it. If it’s vinegar-based, select a wine that’s high in acidity, such as Sauvignon Blanc, so that one flavor doesn’t overpower the other. Dressings that don’t contain much acid will pair best with softer wines, such as Zinfandel and Merlot.

3. Chef Salad

The combination of ingredients that make up this salad can be difficult to match with a wine. Rather than trying to pair with just the savory or the sweet, consider the salad as a whole and find a wine that’s known for providing a powerful flavor. Some of the best options include Cabernet and Pinot Noir, which are both full-bodied red wines that feature a deep, earthy taste.

Try some of these flavorful salad and wine pairings by treating the family to a dinner out at Brookside Inn Restaurant! This locally owned restaurant serves up some of the finest Italian and American fare in Oxford, CT, and uses only the freshest ingredients in each dish. They are recognized for their family-friendly atmosphere and employ a staff of highly trained professionals. Visit their website for a look at their full dinner menu and call (203) 888-2272 to with any questions you may have.