First of all let me say that I am by no means a wine snob. I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to pair wine with food. It all comes down to your personal taste and the tastes of your guests. Most people like to pair white wines with white meat and lighter foods like fish, and red wines with red meat and pasta. However, you can certainly mix it up. Experiment and go with what you think tastes good.

With that being said, some people still aren’t sure and like some general guidelines to follow. Here is a list of some wines and the foods that go well with them:

With appetizers:

If you’re serving appetizers like crab cakes or oysters on the half shell, try pairing it with a light, fruity Chardonnay. This North American white wine is a favorite with many and pairs well with light seafood dishes. It is also a good wine to drink neat before a meal.

With appetizers like chicken wings or antipasto, serve a Pinot Noir. This spicy red wine pairs well with red and white meats and makes a wonderful start to a meal.

With dinner:

If you’re dining on fish or seafood, consider serving a Pinot Grigio. This wine is also excellent to enjoy with ham, beef or pork.

An Australian Shiraz is a good red wine that goes well with white and red meats. It has a sweet flavor that complements most foods. Serve Shiraz with duck, pork loin, prime rib, rib, or herb chicken. Shiraz is wonderful for its versatility.

With Dessert:

Madeira is an excellent wine to serve with less sweet desserts such as soufflé or angel food cake. Port wines go well with rich chocolate desserts or cheesecakes, and serve a sherry with mousse or peanut butter desserts.

So there you have it. That is my interpretation of serving wine with food. The best way to know what to serve is to try different wines and see which one you like. The taste of a Chardonnay or Pinot Noir can vary from brand to brand and region to region, so give it a try and see what you like. The experimentation is the best part: over time you will learn what flavors you like and what foods will complement them.