Delightful Washington Wine and Food Pairings to Try Today
Craving a taste of Washington but overwhelmed by wine and food pairing? Ditch the fancy restaurant rules. We’ll explore Delightful Washington Wine and Food Pairings to Try Today. This straightforward guide is like you’re at a backyard BBQ, keeping it simple and fun. This isn’t about memorizing charts โ it’s about finding Washington wines you love with the food you already enjoy.
Washington Wine: A Taste of Place
Washington State’s diverse climate and soil give its wines a distinct character. From the sunny slopes of Red Mountain to the cool breezes of the Columbia Valley, the Columbia Valley alone boasts 40,000 acres of vineyards within its eleven million acres.
This leads to a stunning variety of white and red wines, each telling its own story. So, whether you prefer bold Cabernet Sauvignon, elegant Pinot Noir, refreshing Riesling, or crisp white wines, Washington has a wine for everyone. John Howie even crafted potato chips in Seattle just for Washington wine.
Matching Made Easy: Food Pairing Basics
Forget stuffy rules. Wine pairing should enhance your meal, not complicate it. One easy trick: consider color
What role do Anthocyanins play in wine? ... More.
Earthy-toned foods (mushrooms, lentils, red meat) often love lighter-bodied reds like Pinot Noir. Lighter-colored foods (asparagus, fish, salads) usually like crisp whites such as Sauvignon Blanc. Try it โ you might be surprised.
But what about those trickier pairings? Take spicy foods. Ever had a tannic red wine with a spicy dish? The tannins
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Instead, grab a sweet white wine like an off-dry Riesling or a softer Merlot. Their subtle sweetness balances the heat beautifully.
Exploring Washington Wine Varieties & Pairings
Ready to get specific? Letโs dive into some standout Washington wines and what foods they pair nicely with.
Cabernet Sauvignon
This bold red, often from Red Mountain, begs for equally intense flavors. Grilled lamb chops? Absolutely. A juicy ribeye? Perfection.
Try Schooler Nolan’s 2015 Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon with grilled lamb chops with bing cherries and red quinoa salad โ it’s a match made in heaven. This full-bodied wine stands up to the richness of the lamb and the sweetness of the cherries. Look for red fruit flavors in your Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Riesling
Washington Riesling shines in its diversity, from bone dry to lusciously sweet. Dry Rieslings are magical with spicy Asian or Indian dishes, taming the heat with a touch of sweetness.
Meanwhile, late-harvest Rieslings (like Airfield Estates 2009) become a dessert all on their own. These pair wonderfully with light cheeses or fruit pies.
Syrah
Syrah, a dark, rich red, goes great with gamey meats and savory dishes. The peppery notes in a Syrah like WIT Cellars 2018 Mazzacano “The Rocks” or a Schooler Nolan Syrah add depth to already savory dishes.
A Syrah wine pairing with a hearty stew on a chilly evening โ pure comfort food bliss. Syrah often features earthy flavors that complement a juicy red like no other.
Merlot
Washington Merlot often offers a smooth, approachable style, filled with red fruit and soft tannins. It’s this easygoing nature that makes Merlot such a versatile food partner.
Try Merlot with everything from grilled salmon to roasted chicken or even some zesty carnitas tacos. Or serve white wines with your grilled chicken. Merlot works with almost everything and features a delightful red fruit flavor. You won’t be disappointed.
Washington Wine and Food Pairing: A Deeper Dive
For a personalized experience try the four wines, four foods experiment. Use a white (try Frichette Winery 2018 Artz Semillon), a red (consider Hightower 2016 Red Mountain Merlot or Kiona’s Lemberger), a sparkling (Patterson Cellars Sparkling Rosรฉ comes to mind), and a sweet white.
This little test, guided by your taste preferences, helps uncover your personal wine profile. It will make future Washington wine-pairing adventures even easier. Consider a Red Mountain Cabernet or even a mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.
| Wine | Food |
|---|---|
| White Wine (e.g., Patterson Cellars Chardonnay) | Oysters, light fish dishes, salads. |
| Red Wine (e.g., Schooler Nolan Malbec) | Red meat, mushrooms, hard cheeses. |
| Sparkling Wines | Appetizers, smoked salmon. |
| Dessert Wine (e.g., Chenin Blanc late harvest) | Fruit pies, dark chocolate. Don’t forget a glass of good wine to top it off. |
Beyond the Bottle: Washington Wine Experiences
Ready for a true taste of Washington wine country? Consider visiting a tasting room, joining a wine club, or attending a food and wine festival.
Look at events like the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival for inspiration. Also, consider exploring Novelty Hill-Januik which showcases the culinary talents of local chefs paired with fantastic Washington wines.
Consider taking part in a seminar from the Taste Washington Event. Taste Washington events take place every year in March, which is Taste Washington Wine Month.
FAQs Delightful Washington Wine and Food Pairings to Try Today
What wine is Washington state known for?
Washington State is known for a variety of wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Riesling, and Syrah. Pinot Gris is becoming one of the better-known white wines. Other well-known white wines include Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc.
What Wines Pair Best With Certain Foods?
While personal preferences play a role, some classic pairings include Cabernet Sauvignon with red meat. Riesling pairs well with spicy foods. Fatty fish goes best with Chardonnay.
These aren’t the only Washington wine pairings, so make sure to do your own taste tests. Green apples, roasted vegetables, and potato chips pair nicely with many wines.
What Is Rule #1 When Matching Food With Wine?
There aren’t any hard and fast rules. Consider matching intensities, finding complementary flavors, and simply experimenting to see what works for you.
But it doesn’t hurt to try matching by color with the tips we provided earlier in the article. Ultimately, if the pairing excites your tastebuds, it’s a good wine pairing.
Which Of The Following Is A Proper Pairing Of Food And Wine?
All of the earlier suggestions are “proper,” but truly, a “proper” pairing is any combination that you find enjoyable.
You may find you like a dry rosรฉ wine best with red meat, while a friend might like Pinot Noir best with spicy dishes. Consider getting a Washington wine map to help you explore all of the options in the area.
Conclusion
Washington wine pairing can be simple. Remember, your taste buds are always correct.
Focus on making wine pairing fun and personal to your journey. Explore downtown Seattle’s wine bars and even check out a local Walla Walla food truck for fun new pairings featuring a Washington white wine.
