Best Wines to Pair with a Hearty Dish

November 17, 2020 | By Peg Kern

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We can’t talk about hearty fall dishes without also talking about which wines we think should accompany them, and which you can discover on our food and wine tours! We do tend to pair like with like – so we like a good Italian wine with a dish of pasta, but a Spanish wine with a plate of jamón. But what specific wines do we recommend for comfort food?

One of our favorite wines for a hearty meal is an aged Barolo, whose tannins and acidity make them cut through the flavors and fattiness of a hearty dish in a way we can’t get enough of! Whether a hearty dish of pasta or a stewed meat, it’s a perfect pairing. (And you can further compliment the flavors by using some of the wine in the dish itself, like in a classic Manzo brasato al Barolo, or a traditional Paniscia!)

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But don’t think that only red wines are appropriate for hearty dishes. What if you’re a white wine drinker? Any respectable and strong oaked wine will hold up against a hearty dish, such as a nicely aged white Bordeaux blending Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon,or a Chardonnay from Burgundy. (Try pairing them with blanquette de veau, or veal stew.)

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What about other countries? Well, in Argentina a perfect pairing for a hearty steak is a Malbec from the Mendoza region. Some say that having the beef and the grapes come from the same land gives them an ineffable complimentary quality that is hard to beat. Find out for yourself on our food and wine tours in Argentina!

Want to try something a little different? Think outside the box and try pairing a hearty dish with a sherry wine such as a Spanish Fino, or with a sweet wine like a Sauternes or a Recioto, which can counterbalance the saltiness of a hearty dish.