Choosing the Correct Wine for a Dinner

Choosing the correct wine for a dinner doesn't have to be complicated. It also doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg. I've got a great little beginner guide to wine that showed me how to get $50 bottles of wine for $10 or less. Here are a few simple tips that will help you in choosing the correct wine for a dinner.

White Wine

White wine is a good choice for salads and lighter dishes. Grilled fish or seafood with light sauces work well with a Dry Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, while seafood or pasta with cream sauces and oysters are best suited to a Chardonnay. Shrimp, crab and lobster enjoy a Dry Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc. Poultry can be served with any of the above wines, while pork prefers a Dry Riesling or Chardonnay. Finally, the sweet White Riesling is best served with mild cheese or chocolate.

Red Wine

Heavier foods such as beef and pastas with red sauces work well with robust reds such as Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet and Zinfandel. Similarly, strong cheeses are also complimented by these selections. While white wines work best with poultry and pork, a Pinot Noir is the classic compliment for a turkey's rich flavor as well as heavier pork dishes. And nothing complements chocolate like a nice mellow Merlot or a rich Cabernet.

So how do you decide between a Dry Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc for a seafood dish? That's really a matter of taste, and I can't help you there. However, with these tips and a good wine buyers guide, you'll have no trouble choosing the correct wine for dinner every time.