Trendy European Wine Pairings – Elevate Your Dining Experience

For those that like wine, there’s nothing better than a variety that perfectly complements the food you’re eating. However, any wine lover will know that perfecting that pairing is something of an art form, and requires you to know a thing or two about flavours.

With so many wines to choose from now, we’ve put together a guide to some of our favourite trendy European wine pairings that can elevate any dining experience.

The Art of Wine Pairing

Knowing where to start with wine pairing can feel overwhelming, but there are some rules of thumb you can follow. For example:

• White wines pair with light meats, such as chicken or fish, whereas red wines pair better with bold, fatty meats, such as beef and lamb.
• Meals that are fatty in general should ideally paired with bitter wines, like reds.
• The wine should be more acidic as the food but match it in flavour intensity.
• If in doubt, match the wine with the sauce, not the meat.

The right wine can enhance the flavours of a meal, elevating it to something really memorable. Here are some of our failsafe favourites that are on trend right now…

Greek sparkling rosé and mediterranean cuisine

With roots that stretch back to the Ancient Greeks, Greek wine is no new thing, but it is still an emerging favourite in the modern wine industry. Greek producers are capable of producing exceptional sparkling rosés in particular, and its bright and refreshing flavour, together with notes of red berries and citrus, make for extremely drinkable varieties that team well with Mediterranean cuisine; the acidity and effervescence of Greek sparkling rosé really work with the light, fresh foods.

Greek sparkling rosé pairing suggestions:

• Grilled octopus with lemon and herbs
• Greek salad with feta and olives
• Seafood paella

Italian Barolo With Hearty Italian Dishes

Originating in the Piedmont region of Italy in the 1800s, it’s world-famous for a reason; Barolo is a jewel in Italy’s crown. This classic yet trendy wine choice is rich and full-bodied in nature, with notes of cherry, rose, and earth that means that it pairs beautifully with similarly rich Italian dishes.

Italian Barolo pairing suggestions:

• Osso buco
• Mushroom risotto
• Roasted goose

Spanish Albariño With Light and Fresh Foods

Created using the Albariño grape, this crisp white wine is as versatile as it is trendy, with an aromatic profile and notes of citrus and green apple.

As you might expect with these credentials, it pairs so well with foods associated with summer, such as seafood and salads.

Spanish Albariño food pairing suggestions

• Ceviche
• Grilled shrimp with garlic and lemon.
• Fresh goat cheese salad.

French Chablis With Delicate Flavours

French wine, is of course, widely considered the crem de la crem of delicate drinks, and Chablis is by far one of the most appropriate for pairing with dishes served at fine dining establishments. This dry white wine is refined, with a clean character, acidity and minerality that complement the delicate flavours of the following dishes:

French Chablis pairing suggestions:

• Oysters on the half shell
• Poached chicken with tarragon.
• Goat cheese tart

Austrian Grüner Veltliner with Asian-inspired Cuisine

Grüner Veltliner is an exciting and trendy choice for pairing, and is a lesser known wine outside of Austria that’s sure to become a lot more popular on a European scale as word gets out.

It’s a white wine with spicy, peppery notes, and a crisp finish, making it ideal for pairing with Asian cuisine.

Austrian Grüner Veltliner Pairing Suggestions:

• Thai green curry
• Sushi and sashimi
• Vietnamese spring rolls

To conclude:

The experimentation involved in achieving the perfect wine pairing is half the fun of being both a foodie, and a wine lover; we’d always recommend trying new pairings, and research prior to visiting a European country so that you can truly experience it through their wine.