Drinking wine with a meal is a long-standing tradition for many parts of the world. If you like to have a glass or two with dinner, you’ll be better served by knowing how they pair with different proteins. The right wine will bring out the unique flavors in a dish. Use the following guide to help you select a bottle that will highlight your proteins. 

Which Wine Should You Pair With Your Meat?

1. Beef

As a general rule, you want a red wine with a beef entree. However, the sauce and herbs used will determine which one. Barbecue and grilled beef pair well with hearty, full-flavored varieties, like a Zinfandel or Syrah. Hamburgers taste good when paired with the latter, but a young Cabernet would also be nice. However, if you’re pulling steak off the grill, try a Bordeaux, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon.

2. Poultry

Most poultry dishes pair well with a light-bodied white wine, especially Chardonnay. However, if you want to spice things up consider a Pinot Noir for your next roasted chicken. Fried chicken requires something a little fruitier or drier, so try a Sauvignon Blanc or a Spanish rosé. Curried chicken also walks the line between fruity and dry and typically pairs well with a Gewürztraminer or a Shiraz. If you’re eating duck, goose, or turkey, don’t be afraid to make the leap to a red like Merlot, Zinfandel, or an Australian Syrah.

3. Pork

When eating a pork dish, you want a wine that matches the sweeter flavor profile of the meat. Select a bottle that is particularly acidic and fruity. Baked ham goes nicely with a German Gewürztraminer or a Washington Riesling. If the ham has been dried and cured, opt for a rosé. Pork roast and pork chops complement the full-flavor in a Pinot Noir, but another full-bodied red would also suffice. 

When you need a bottle of wine for your specially prepared meal, stop by Hidden Lake Winery in Aviston, IL. Since 2004, they have produced a variety of wines from locally-grown fruits, and many have become award-winning bottles. Owners Steve and Angela Gorazd have worked hard to make this event venue and restaurant one of the leading wineries in the region. Visit their website to view available bottles and make an order. If you have questions, want to host an event, or rent a cabin, give them a call at (618) 228-9111.