Bubbly: goes with everything?
Photograph: David Levene
You really can drink wine with just about anything these days. Zinfandel with your Tex-Mex? Not a problem. A little Chardonnay with your fried chicken take-out? Delicious. Pinot Noir and wild boar? Why not? I've found surprising combinations by experimenting ... granted, I am extremely thorough when it comes to this sort of research.
The old rules about white wine with white meat and red wine with red meat just don't give us enough guidance anymore. With modern fusion cuisine and wines from new regions around the world, the choices--and confusion--are great.
I've tried to capture thousands of interesting combinations in my interactive wine-and-food matcher. I pair wine with everyday meals, as well as challenging fare, such as vegetarian cuisine, egg-based sauces, cheese, TV dinners, and even dessert, including Jell-O and fudge (for those who like to layer their vices).
You can simply search by wine for meal inspirations or by food to find great wine choices. There are also thousands of recipes for a variety of dishes. I add more wines and foods based on readers' suggestions, which I get from the 74,000 subscribers to my free e-newsletter, Nat Decants. The newsletter offers tips on how to buy, cellar and serve wine.
Now that the warmer weather is here, you'll find suggestions for grilled meats and vegetables, as well as summer salads and seafood. If you're planning weddings, reunions or parties, there are suggestions for a wide range of menus. Got a dish or a wine to stump me? Post it below and I'll suggest a match for you.
