Perfect Wine for Salads - 5 Tips

With spring, we turn to lighter foods – like salads. They are challenging for wine pairing but here are 5 tips. Two things to think about: consider the dominant protein (steak, seafood, or cheese) and the dressing composition.

1. Hearty Salad – A hearty salad with grilled filet mignon and gorgonzola blue cheese might require a less traditional salad wine like Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon. A lighter seafood salad pairs well with a Chardonnay or Gewurztraminer.
   
   
2. Add Fruit – Make salads wine friendly by adding fruit or berries. Pair the wine’s fruit characteristics with the fruit. Shared flavor characteristics enhance the compatibility.
   
   
3. High Fat, Cream Dressing – A creamy dressing requires a crisp, dry white wine with some acidity to cut the richness.
   
   
4. Sweet & Spicy – A salad with a spicy, sweet dressing could make a sweet wine seem less sweet. Try a medium-bodied red wine like a Pinot Noir or LDV Winery’s Grenache.
   
   
5. Vinegar-based Dressings – These can vary greatly depending on if you are using a white or red-wine vinegar (Viognier) or balsamic vinegars could pair well with a fruity red, like Pinot Noir or Grenache.

Enjoy your salads but don’t forget the wine! Enjoy the short video.