Cleverly paired, even the humblest wine and the simplest dish can be fantastic; but if you choose the wrong wine, both food and wine will taste disappointing. So, matching food and wine is, undoubtedly, worth the effort. In the quest for the magic formula for rewarding combinations the two key principles are to match weight and flavour: light wines go with light food, heavier wines with heavier food; and the fine-tuning can be accomplished by choosing a wine which echoes the most dominant flavours in a dish.

Whether you want to create a harmony or a contrast of flavours, remember: food and wine matching, more often than not, is a matter of personal taste, not an elitist exercise. If you follow the basic guidelines and keep an open mind, a successful match is almost always guaranteed.

The following pairings are generally considered to be safe and yielding a satisfying result, but they are not rules – just recommendations. So, experiment and have fun!

Pasta

Poultry

Cheese

Red Meat

Vegetables

Desserts