Nothing completes a hearty dinner like a fantastic glass of wine. But which kind goes best with the meat you’ve made? Unless you’re a wine aficionado, you may not be well-versed in food pairing. To find the ideal combination for your meal, use the following guide.

How to Pair Meats & Wines

1. Learn General Rules

There are a few quick and easy rules for pairing proteins with wines to get you started. Chicken typically goes well with whites, while reds are preferable for red meat. The leaner the cut, the lighter the red wine. Your wine choice should be sweeter and more acidic than the protein. Remember, these are not hard and fast rules — other factors will influence different pairings.

2. Know Your Flavors

To knowledgeably pair wine on your own, familiarize yourself with its taste components. Wines can be broken down into three main flavors: sweet, bitter, and acidic. Meats are a bit more complicated. Savory is not the only flavor you’ll taste. You might cook with a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce, spicy seasoning, or a salty rub. Consider how taste affects the richness and intensity of the protein to identify core flavors.

3. Compare & Contrast Taste

When pairing wine, you either want it to complement your dish or enhance existing flavors. These are known as complementary and congruent pairings. For the most part, reds should be matched with foods comprised of contrasting flavors to enhance the meal’s taste. Fatty meats like steak, for instance, work well with bold reds high in tannins that act as a palate cleanser to “cut through” the fats. Congruent pairings share similar flavor notes to elevate certain flavors. Rosé, whites, and sparkling wines are common choices for these pairings. A white with a note of creaminess would marry well with a white sauce like bechamel.

4. Consider the Sauce

The type of protein you use shouldn’t be the deciding factor in your wine selection. Sauces and seasonings can be a total game changer, and your sauce should play a key role in the pairing process. Meats marinated in a tangy sauce pair well with fruity reds, while a blend of garlic and onion should have you leaning towards a higher acidity medium red. Know what you’re cooking with before trying to make pairings.

Before you break out the wine, bring home some fresh meat from Hammann’s Catering, Butcher Shop & Deli. Serving Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, they are proud to bring you quality products, excellent customer service, and full-service catering. Whether you need a party tray for your next event, a gourmet sandwich for lunch, or a special meat bundle, they’re the go-to butcher of the Tri-State Area. Browse their meat bundles online. To place a catering order, call (513) 858-3237 today.