Dining: It's Why We Wine!

By Dan Perkins

The last couple of days, my wife and I traveled up to the wine country... Sonoma first, then Napa Valley. Each location, although separated by a small mountain ridge which marks the county line, has it's own unique vibe. While Napa is upscale and at times uptight, Sonoma is laid-back and approachable. Because each region takes pride in their style you would be hard pressed to find similarities among the two... What I learned, however, in these last couple of days was when it comes to food... the oft overlooked Sonoma gets high marks with haute cuisine!

First... I need to admit Napa Valley is the crown jewel of American eateries... You can argue all you want about your home town but unless you've been here, all I hear is, "yada yada yada." But it's neighbor to the west impressed me with a night of culinary joy. While enjoying patio dining at the renown, The Girl and The Fig, we were taken back to our trip last summer, in the south of France, with amazing food, service and atmosphere. Yet, last night at our venerable fav... The Rutherford Grill, where we arrived at 6:15 and still waited for 45 minutes (no reservations here) it was the consistent care (thanks to Mike who was doting on everyone else's comfort at the sake of his own), innovative menu and inexpensive tab (less than $100 for two: complete meal, wine and tip) makes this place a must!

I can't imagine having a good dinner without good wine. Yet, you may chose to opt for a good wine without dinner. I find it hard to keep the two separate however, I've noticed when it comes to food and wine most people don't understand the connection. So here are a few tid bits on the marriage of Food and Wine.

Wine helps the appetite! - the sugars in wine whet the appetite. It can also be a danger to adding unnecessary calories.

Food needs a catalyst... this in the aid of digestion.

Wine will change the taste of food. Imagine adding one more ingredient to a recipe. Wine is that added ingredient!

Food will enhance the flavor of wine! Because wine evolves constantly... from vineyard to barrel to bottle to glass to palate... it can become something different at anytime!

I am often asked what is the best wine to have with certain dishes... I always answer with a question: "What kind of wine do you like?" if it's white, you can find a white wine that goes well with any meal... if it's Red, you can also find the right red wine for any meal but be careful you can also select the wrong wine too.

When picking a wine you should consider whether you want to contradict or compliment the food you're eating. In other words, if you have a big, rich meal... should you have a big, rich wine? Not always... sometimes they can just be overkill and all the flavors become boring, while some other times it's essential because a wine can get lost. My rule of thumb is when it's a white wine, contradict. When it's a red wine, compliment. Most white wines tend to be focused mostly on "balance" while red wines, on "fruit." A delicate fish dish with a nice cream sauce can become too rich  with a big, buttery Chardonnay, by emphasizing the sauce, while a crisp, acidic, Sauvignon Blanc can cut through that richness, instead highlighting the fish. Conversely, with the reds... a spicy, pepper steak or barbecued ribs will dominate a Pinot Noir making it more likely to remind you of drinking flavored water compared to that same Pinot working it's wonders on a tender piece of duck confit!

If this simple rule still seems a bit too confusing, think of it this way... how do you enhance your foods? A little salt, pepper... a bit of butter or honey? Use wine in the same manner and you'll be surprised at how quick you'll get this concept. Like seasoning, it takes some experimenting but once you get it... You'll be glad you did!

Comments

[~JOSh-X]

Which colors are these wines? I'm a novice!

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot

Thanks :)

~JOSh-X

[danp]

Josh, your question is actually a good reminder that people visit this blog with graduated levels of experience with wine so... a good tool here with the wines you've addressed as Blanc and Noir respectively means white and dark (black). Look further back in previous posts and pick up on some of the various varietals but check http://www.winefornovices.typepad.com/wine/2008/01/know-your-abcs.html for a list of some good whites.

cheers - Dan