What wines pair well with vegetarian dishes?

Question

What wines pair well with vegetarian or vegan dishes? White wines?

Answer 1

I was brought up in the fashion that one served red wine with beef and white wine with most fish dishes. But vegetarian dishes are something all together.

Vegetarian Dish Pairing

White Wines

Pinot Gringo

• Veggie wraps
  • bright salads
  • pasta with cream sauce
  • bruchetta

Chardonnay

• Starchy foods such as potatoes or risotto
  • Spring peas
  • Corn
  • Roasted vegetables

Riesling

• Thai food
  • Curry
  • Summer BBQ
  • Cashews
  • Mexican Dishes

Gewurztraminer

• German foods
• Cheeses
• Cajun Cuisine
• Kimchee
• Indian Cuisine

Red Wines

Chianti

• Pasta with tomato sauce
• Caprese
• Veggie pizza

Merlot

• Veggie Burgers
• Olives
• Avocados

Cabernet Sauvignon

• Lentil Soup
• Garlic
• Walnuts
• Eggplants

Pinot Noir

• Mushrooms
• Bread and olive oil
• Mediterranean Foods

Quick Guide to Vegetarian Wine Pairings

Pairing rules are not set in stone, but there are a few friendly guidline to follow.

Match Wine Flavors With Food Flavors

Specific body and color types and their flavors are also elements to consider when you are pairing vegan foods and wine. For example, when choosing white wine, a light-bodied flavor, such as Vermentino, Pinot Grigio and Viognier all go well with pasta dishes, salads and stir-fry vegetables because they will not overpower the modest flavor of these foods. If you are barbecuing veggie burgers or preparing baked potatoes on the grill, consider choosing a classic white Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling, which make a fine complement to the taste of grilled foods.

If you prefer red wine, then go with Granache for veggie burgers and sweet potatoes, and try a Merlot for olive-based dishes and grilled asparagus. The most important aspect of pairing wine with a vegan meal is to choose flavors that will not overpower the food. For example, avoid pairing a robust, full-bodied red wine with a simple summer salad or pairing a sweet wine with a tart pesto and lemon dish.

While you might make a few errors when you first start pairing wines and vegan dishes, you should never be afraid to experiment and come up with a few interesting combinations of you own. - 5 Tips for Pairing Wines With Vegan Dishes

And by the way: Bon Appetite!