Sep 26th, 2016, 01:21 AM

Unconventional Wine Pairings for the Adventurous Palate

By Lauren Janelle Green
Image Credit: Google Images
Wine pairs with an array of unconventional foods: notes from the frontlines of one woman's focus group.

If you think wine is only for fancy cheese plates and pasta, then you my friend are self-deprived. It's the dawn of a new era for wine and Millennials have dispelled antiquated notions of traditional wine pairings, opting for pairings with an array of flavor profiles, however nontraditional. More often than not, if you've got a good bottle of wine, it’ll taste great with just about anything.

To test this theory, a group of friends and I paired an assortment of wines with unconventional foods, I’m talking about the inexpensive, good stuff sitting in your pantry or the take-out from late-night dinners. I'm here to vindicate our sinful, Millennial wine practices because let’s be honest, we all do it anyway. 


Image Credit: Google Images

Riesling and Birthday Cake

Riesling has a crisp, citrus bite that is just dying to be paired with the butter cream icing of birthday cake. We tried our Riesling with mini raspberry cake bites and the symphony of flavors was clearly ordained by the universe itself. The nectarine, pear, and honey-crisp apple aromas pair perfectly with spongy white or yellow cake. Try an off-dry, sweet German Riesling with your birthday sweets and you’ll find yourself buying cake when it’s not even your birthday. 


Image Credit: Flickr Images

Chardonnay and Popcorn

Chardonnay is one of the few white wines that tends to be aged in oak, giving it a full-bodied flavor and a silky softness. The vanilla and butter undertones go perfectly with a big bowl of popcorn. Thanks to its buttery flavor and texture, this can be your new go-to wine for movie nights. 


Image Credit: Flickr Images

Sauvignon Blanc and Pad Thai Take-Out

With sauvignon blanc’s strong lemongrass and tropical fruit flavors, it naturally pairs well with Pad Thai. The light-body and high acidity of this wine balances the spicy, coconut-y flavors in Thai Cuisine. Pick a Pad Thai with Thai chilies and make use of that wedge of lime so your dish stands up to the wine. Alternatively, a spicy yellow curry can definitely stand up to this bad boy.  


Image Credit: BizBash

Rosé and Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwiches

You can thank me for later for this one. Rosé has a natural strawberry sweetness that of course goes great with any fruit  compote, but throw peanut butter into the mix and you won’t know what to do with yourself. A Bordeaux or syrah rosé work best because their dry nature cuts through the sandwich’s nuttiness while the sweet, fruit undertones keep you loving this American snack. Inner child, meet adult self.  Upgrade your sandwich with a slab of Brie or  French toast on a good day...or any day.
P.S. If you're struggling to find peanut butter in Paris, you can find it at The Real McCoy. A haven of American foods by Americans who just get it.


Image Credit: Google Images

Cabernet and Cheeseburgers

If you know your wines, then you know that cabernet and cheddar is a given. Opt for a deep red cab with a lasting finish on cheeseburger day instead of a beer to get more bang for your beef. When picking your cheeseburger, pick one that’s on the fattier side to help kick the cab’s tannins into high gear. To elevate your burger, throw on toppings that are briny or herbaceous, like rosemary or even blue cheese. 

 


Image Credit: Flickr Images

Malbec and Chinese Takeout

Typically paired with American BBQ because of its full-bodied, fruity flavors, malbec also serves as a cheaper alternative to Cabs. Because of its plump, dark, and tangy undertones, we tried it with General Tso’s Chicken and were thrilled. Find a French malbec that has a leathery, tart currant finish to pair with your Orange Chicken and you won’t feel as guilty about drowning yourself in an indulgent night of Netflix and fried rice.

Image Credit: Ocado

Chilean Table Reds and Moroccan Lamb Kebabs

A Chilean table red will always have vibrant cherry and blackberry tones with a kick of spice. They have a fruitiness about them that couples well with robust lamb spices. If you live in Paris, you should know that you can get a plate of lamb kebabs with fries and a salad for only 7 Euros. In neighborhoods like Montmartre, you can find little Mediterranean restaurants offering deals like these on almost every corner. 

Image Credit: Google Images

Sparkling Rosé and Dim Sum

I finally found spiritual enlightenment through sparkling rosé and Dim Sum. It was then that I decided that sparkling rosé should happen every day. I’ve always known that rosé and  seafood are a match on the basis of color, but coupling sparkling rosé's coral effervescence alongside steamed shrimp dumplings was transformational to say the least. Leave the spicy chili dipping sauce out on this one and let the pink bubbles do their thing.