Food, Cheese and Wine Matching Tips
Mediterranean
With dishes based on fresh seasonal fare with an emphasis on seafood, oil, bread, fresh herbs and spices and a dash of red meat and dairy usually in the form of local cheeses and charcuterie, taking your cue from regional matches is a great starting point. Italian, Spanish, Southern French and Greek wines will always have an affinity with this style of cuisine; their more savoury food-focused styles are a natural match. Also, you can match the intensity of the dish to intensity of wine and echo the key flavours of each.
Top 20 Perfect Match
Finca Fella 'Altado' Verdejo 2020 | 5304643
Castillo Armado Reserva Tempranillo 20211 | 5304848
La Vieille Ferme Ventoux AOC 2020 | 1162425
Vigneti Romio Sangiovese Superiore Riserva DOC 2018 | 5304646
Seafood
With 15,000km of coastline, New Zealand is blessed with a bountiful array of seafood and many restaurants are devoted to showcasing its best. The trick is to match body i.e., fuller-bodied white wines go with richer, fuller-bodied seafood and lighter-bodied wines and seafood the same. Think sparkling wine with most shellfish and any fried fish, especially tempura-style. Champagne is the classic match for oysters/caviar/fish roe, and smoked salmon. If you have crayfish on the menu, then opt for a fuller-bodied white like Chardonnay. Sauvignon Blanc, unoaked Chardonnay or dry Pinot Gris are best for white fish fillets and prawns but for richer fish such as tuna, salmon, or sardines, consider a textural Rosé or light-bodied fresh red.
Top 20 Perfect Match
Jean Josselin Cuvée Des Jean Extra Brut Champagne NV | 5295395
Mont’Albano Pinot Grigio Friuli Grave DOC 2020 | 5243371
Torre Mora ‘Scalunera’ Etna Bianco DOC 2020 | 5283045
La Belle Angèle Rosé 2020 | 5265866
Asian/Fusion
The clean, fresh flavours need wine pairings that are equally snappy, so think of higher acid wines with good fruit vibrancy. Aromatic white wines and sparkling wines are great, especially those that are fruity or with just a touch of sweetness; the latter are especially good for Asian dishes that may have some spicy heat to them. Avoid heavier tannic red wines (most bold reds such as Aussie Shiraz or Cabernets) though low tannin reds such as Gamay or Grenache-blends can work well; fruity Rosés are also a versatile option.
Top 20 Perfect Match
Vigneti Romio Spumante Rosato Extra Dry DOC NV | 5304645
Cantina di Monteforte ‘Clivus’ Soave Classico 2020 | 5304472
Chapel Hill ‘The Parson’ Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2020 | 5200267
Jacob’s Creek '1847' Rosé 2021 | 5294774
Meat Matches
When considering the best wine pairing for meat, always take into consideration the cut, cooking method and (any) sauce, matching intensity, and key flavours. The fattier the meat, the richer and more tannic the wine, while leaner meats will partner best with lighter to medium-bodied reds. Beef generally works best with hearty, rich reds like Shiraz or Malbec while lamb suits medium-bodied Cabernets, Italian or Spanish reds — though pink spring lamb will pair nicely with a textural Rosé. Venison is leaner and sometimes gamey, so Southern French reds or Italian reds are good options, while pork suits both rich whites and juicy reds. Chicken and duck can both work with rich whites, Rosé, or lighter reds like Gamay, and you might be surprised at how well Prosecco works with fried chicken.
Top 20 Perfect Match
Bodegas Fontana 'Oveja Tinta' Graciano Malbec 209 | 5081200
Orlando 'Printz Shed' Barossa Shiraz 2018 | 5295258
La Belle Angèle Gamay 2020 | 5304387
Vigneti Romio Sangiovese Superiore Riserva DOC 2018 | 5304646
Cheese Pairing No.1
La Belle Angèle Gamay 2020 | 5304387
La Belle Angèle (‘beautiful Angela’) was muse to early 20th Century French impressionist painters. This Vin de France Gamay delivers its namesake’s charming elegance, with fruity bright cherries, raspberries, and floral hints. Supple with soft tannins, its crunchy acidity lends freshness and vitality. Duck, lean red meat, mushrooms, and creamy cheeses are all great matches.
Most similar to: A fresh, juicy, light Pinot Noir. More savoury than NZ versions.
Perfect Match
Mainland Special Reserve Creamy Brie Round 1kg | 1032646
Kapiti Kahurangi Creamy Blue Cheese 1kg | 1032628
Cheese Pairing No.2
Torre Mora 'Scalunera' Etna Bianco DOC 2020 | 5283045
A characterful white made from organically farmed Carricante on the slopes of Sicily’s active volcano, Mt Etna. It is savoury and tangy with grapefruit, pear, peach, and mineral aromas, and has a refreshing dry palate with good intensity and a chalky texture. A native Sicilian variety, Carricante’s bright acidity shines alongside fresh fish, grilled veggies, and soft cheeses.
Most similar to: Akin to Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc but much less fruity.
Perfect Match
Talbot Forest Peppered Havarti 150g | 1133445
Talbot Forest Gruyere 150g | 1132308
Emborg Natural Goat Cheese 1kg | 5241209
Cheese Pairing No.3
Vigneti Romio Sangiovese Superiore Riserva DOC 2018 | 5304646
A modern Italian Sangiovese (with a dash of Syrah) from the hills of Romagna in central Italy. Robust and packed with fruit - black cherries, raspberries, ripe plum - plus dried herbs, spicy oak, a touch of minerality, and a firm, savoury, dry finish. Made to enjoy with food, this wine will suit grilled meat, rich pasta dishes, salami, and aged hard cheeses.
Most similar to: An oaked Merlot but with more cherry than plum and a drier, more savoury finish.
Perfect Match
Kapiti Pakari Aged Cheddar 170g | 1008859
Kapiti Pakari Smoked Cheddar 170g | 1008860
Kapiti Pakari Blackcurrent Cheddar 170g | 5277849
Kapiti Te Tihi Premium Vintage Cheddar 200g | 5278709
Cheese Pairing No.4
Finca Fella 'Altado' Verdejo 2020 | 5304643
From a high-altitude site in central Spain’s Castilla la Mancha, a subtle flavoursome white with a nose of peach, limes, spice, and light toasty notes; it is nicely balanced and textural on the palate with stonefruit and an attractive citrus tang. Its fair acidity and slightly bitter finish make it great with food, suiting rice dishes (paella), seafood and hard cheeses.
Most similar to: Sauvignon Blanc (but less fruity than local ones) with more richness and savouriness.
Perfect Match
Talbot Forest Smoked Cheddar Cheese 150g | 1142328