From bold reds, to crisp whites and sparkling wines, there is no shortage of great options to choose from in the Pacific Northwest. Here are a few great pairing options for red meat, fish, poultry and more!
Rib Eye Steak
Medium to full-bodied reds pair great with red meat. Both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot would be a great choice to sip with your rib eye steak. Since rib eyes are so juicy and have a good amount of marbling, the fat will soften the tannin in these full bodied reds, accentuating the fruity taste of the wine.
Salmon
In contrast to red meat, seafood pairs well with full-bodied white wines or sparkling wines, such as Chardonnay or even champagne. An oak-aged Chardonnay is a fantastic choice to enjoy with any salmon dish and is probably the most common salmon pairing.
Chicken
Since Chardonnay is so buttery and smooth, it pairs great with a rich chicken dish like Chicken Cordon Bleu. If you’re cooking up chicken in the summer, you can’t go wrong with a chilled glass of dry Rosé.
Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin is known for being very tender, with mild flavors due to little fat content. Let the wine bring the bold flavor to the table and grab a medium-bodied red like a Pinot Noir or a sweeter white wine like a Riesling. Either of these options will pair great with a nicely seasoned pork tenderloin.
Prime Rib
Is there really anything better than Prime Rib and a glass of red wine? The best option to pair with Prime Rib is a bold Cabernet Sauvignon. The rich flavor of the prime rib will soften the harsher tannins of a cabernet and will bring out the fruitiness of the wine. Since a Syrah is a bold red that is both fruity and full of spice, it’s also a great option to enjoy with prime rib.
Turkey
Chardonnay perfectly complements the flavors of a roasted or smoked turkey, which makes it a great Thanksgiving Day wine. The oaky flavor will bring out the bold flavors of the turkey. If you prefer a red wine, you can’t go wrong with Pinot Noir.
There’s no wrong way to pair a delicious glass of wine with your favorite dinner. What are your favorite wine and meat pairings?