A good bottle of wine can make or break a dinner party. As the accompaniment to a nice meal, it’s no surprise that wine bottles in the liquor store these days tell you what dishes to drink them with. It’s common knowledge that Chardonnay is great for buttery dishes like chicken alfredo, Sauvignon Blanc compliments anything green, and we all know Champagne goes well with fried food and appetizers while socializing.
Wine has always had a big presence at the center of dinner parties and activity-based gatherings because of its association with ambiance and sometimes luxury. You often see this depicted on-screen in films and television shows in elegant settings or during activities considered to be luxurious.
In Gossip Girl, the characters are often seen with a glass of wine in hand at high-society New York functions. In James Bond films, wine is always a presence in the background of parties or at the table. In the critically acclaimed Casino Royale, James Bond and Vesper Lynd drink Château Angélus Premier Grand Cru Classé while on their way to a poker game in Montenegro. In Spectre, the same brand of wine can be seen in the background of the train, and the brand has even gone on to create its limited edition James Bond wine!
Off-screen in casinos, wine is also a presence and has been influenced by this media. Casino bars and restaurants can sometimes have sections dedicated to extensive wine lists for guests to enjoy at the bar or the game table to enhance their gambling experience and cater to VIP clients.
During table or sit-down games that are likely to last longer, like poker, beverages are often present at the table, particularly for those in large groups or those entertaining clients. Poker games can also contain up to 14 people depending on which poker variety is being played, so it makes sense that players will share bottled beverages in groups in such a social setting at the poker table.
While the experience of playing on an online poker site may be different due to players playing remotely, it doesn’t mean that the same luxurious atmosphere of the casino cannot be created at home.
At a home dinner party, the right recipe and wine can elevate any night, although these days, thanks to social media, recipes, and common wine pairings are everywhere and can be a bit overkill! To spice it up, it’s worth trying to combine a new wine with an unfamiliar dish to really wow dinner party guests, but how do you find out what flavors to combine? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with those unusual wine and food pairings for your next dinner party!
Fantastically fishy: Albariño with Fish Tacos
It’s easy to answer the question of which foods go with which wines when you’re making popular dishes, but what about when you’re making a kid’s favorite?
An American-inspired classic, fish tacos are a favorite sea-food-infused dish with a zesty flavor. Albariño, the white wine from Portugal and parts of Spain is a highly acidic, yet dry wine great for a side of fish tacos. It has notes of lime, lemon, grapefruit and pear. It’s already recommended for seafood dishes, but combined with the citrusy taste, it’s a delicious combo.
Splendidly Spicy: Pintonage with Jerk Chicken
South Africa is a haven for wine, and one of their best exports is the South African red wine Pintonage. The flavor of Pinotage is considered to be earthy. Its taste can vary, but usually, it tastes a little like bananas and other tropical fruits. The wine has a very strong smell, which makes it a perfect partner to a spicy Jerk chicken dish. For this pairing, we recommend using an all-purpose jerk seasoning to cover your chicken, with one of the best brands in the business, Old Bay Seasoning. Serve with spiced fries and jerk sauce, and your guests will be in awe.
These two flavors together are certainly overpowering, but we do think the earthy tone of the wine and the sizzle of the chicken unite to create a delicious aromatic smoky taste on your tastebuds.
Flavourfully fruity: Lambrusco with Barbeque Ribs
Straight from the Northern region of Italy, mainly from Emilia-Romagna, the best recommended food pairing with Lambrusco is in the form of cured meats, and baked rich pasta dishes. This is because Lambrusco is usually made in a method with sparkling wine and tastes somewhat sweet or dry, depending on its variety. The wine has many different varieties given the fact it is a relatively young type of wine.
The bubbly flavor in its slightly sparkling form pairs well with smoky and hot dishes, and what better classic for this than good old Barbeque Ribs? If you want to go authentic American, go for some Texas Barbeque Ribs to bring out those spices. Trader Joe’s and many other grocery stores sell Texas BBQ marinades to capture that southern flavor!
Creamy Chocolate: Sherry with Dark Chocolate
This isn’t technically a dish, but a solution to save you from the preparation of dessert! Sherry and its age-old nutty taste work well with the bitter taste that dark chocolate has. Sherry’ and its common pairings are usually tapas food and small plates, but who says you can’t have a sherry with dessert?
To round off the night or as an after-dinner treat, sherry and some pieces of dark chocolate are the nicest combination.
Unconventional Wine Pairings: A Takeaway
Envisioning is the key to cooking and wine pairing, especially with unusual dishes. The fruits and tastes that are in each wine can assist you with your selection. Is it fruity? Go with something different that’s cheesy. Also, consider what you’re doing. Does the dinner party include games? Opt for a wine that goes well with tapas dishes.
Whichever wine you choose, make sure you are putting heart into your cooking as well.