The Problem with Some Wine & Food Pairings

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Whether you’re a seasoned dinner party pro or a nervous first-time host, you’re probably well aware that drinks deserve as much consideration as food itself. The right cocktail choices and wine pairings are, after all, a dinner party 101. But what happens if you’re starting to wonder why drinks hold such high standing? The fun is in the cooking, after all, and drinks can often be an added consideration many of us could do without. Have you not already got enough on your plate!?

Sadly, as anyone who’s attempted to go against the drink quo can tell you, there are pretty valid reasons for taking time over drink choices. To make sure you don’t destroy a dinner party testing that theory, we’re going to look at just what can happen when you throw caution to your cocktail selection.

Terrible taste

Drink pairings are often about complimenting flavors. Choosing Chardonnay for a chicken dish, for instance, can bring out every subtle taste you’ve packed into your recipe. Equally, options like the Climax Red Blend wine found on Naked Winery could take the taste of your muscle dish to new levels. It should go without saying, then, that not thinking about drink pairings can also do damage to a dish. Aside from just not complimenting flavour notes, an ill-fitting selection could trash taste buds altogether. Pairing a deep red with a chocolate dessert, for instance, is always disastrous. Equally, pairing white wine with strong tastes like blue cheese will never go down well. If you want your food to taste good, then, you could say that the right drink is vital.

Drunken dinner guests

Dinner parties should, of course, be about having a good time with your mates. But, it’s vital to remember that this isn’t a piss up. It’s a respectable adult party. As such, drinks should be chosen for enjoyment rather than intoxication. This is all about sipping a drink gently rather than downing it in one, and the drinks on offer make sure that’s the case. No one can down wine, after all, and cocktails are more about taste than alcohol content. If you skipped the drink research and put spirits out instead, though, you could soon end up with drunk guests on your hands. That’s something you want to avoid considering that one drunk incident could easily ruin things for everyone. And, the best way to ensure that is to do your drink-related research.

A bad memory

We all want our guests to remember our dinner parties, but for flattering reasons rather than bad ones. While it may seem extreme to say, then, it’s worth noting that the wrong drink pairings could end up leaving a bad memory in guest minds. Whether people get drunk, don’t enjoy their food, or go without hydration altogether; the wrong choice can be catastrophic in this sense. One thing’s sure; taking time over the perfect drink pairings is the best way to guarantee that your big night goes off without a hitch.

This post was written by a contributing writer and features sponsored links.