Australia’s wineries offer more than just a glass of wine; they provide an immersive gastronomic experience. The art of wine pairing is essential to elevating the dining experience, balancing the complexity of both food and wine. This article explores the best foods to enjoy at Australian wineries, focusing on finding the perfect match for your favourite wines, from crisp whites to bold reds.
Wine Pairing Basics: Finding the Right Balance
Wine pairing isn’t about matching food and wine, it’s about finding harmony between the two. Pairing can be complementary or congruent where the flavours contrast or highlight the same qualities in both the dish and the wine. The balance of flavours between rich, creamy dishes and wines with high acidity is the key to unlocking both.
Whether it’s fresh seafood with a zesty Sauvignon Blanc or blue cheese with a full-bodied red, the right combination takes it to the next level. When it comes to food pairing, understanding flavour intensity, sweetness, acidity and texture is the key to finding the perfect match.
Wine Pairing Principles:
- Match intensity: Delicate wines with light dishes, fuller-bodied wines with rich, hearty meals.
- Acidity: Wines with high acidity (Pinot Grigio or Riesling) pair well with dishes that have citrus or vinegar-based elements.
- Tannins and fat: Tannic wines (Cabernet Sauvignon) with fatty foods (steak or lamb).
- Sweet and spicy: Sweet wines (dessert Muscat) with spicy food, cutting through the heat and offering a sweet refreshment.
Best Foods to Eat at Australian Wineries
When you visit a winery the food is carefully matched to the wine list. From cheese platters to main courses here are the best foods to eat at a winery in Australia.
1. Cheese Platters
Cheese is a classic wine pairing and Australian wineries are proud to offer local cheeses. A cheese platter will usually include soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert, semi-hard cheeses like Gouda and hard cheeses like aged Cheddar.
- Wine Pairing: Soft cheeses with sparkling or Chardonnay, hard cheeses with bold Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon.
2. Charcuterie Boards
Charcuterie boards are a winery favourite. These boards feature a selection of cured meats, pâtés, pickles and artisanal breads. The salty, savoury flavours of charcuterie pair well with both red and white wine.
- Wine Pairing: Light reds like Pinot Noir with cured meats, Chardonnay with pâtés and terrines.
3. Fresh Seafood
We have an abundance of fresh seafood in Australia and many wineries, especially those near the coast, offer seafood dishes. From fresh oysters to grilled prawns and pan-seared scallops, seafood can be paired with many wines.
- Wine Pairing: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling or a crisp Chardonnay.
4. Lamb
Lamb is Australia’s signature dish and no winery visit is complete without trying some lamb. Whether it’s slow cooked lamb shoulder or lamb chops the richness of lamb pairs beautifully with the tannins in big red wines.
- Wine Pairing: A big Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon will match the flavours in lamb dishes.
5. Woodfire Pizza
Many Australian wineries have jumped on the woodfire pizza bandwagon. These pizzas with their smoky crispy bases and gourmet toppings are the perfect casual food for a day of wine tasting.
- Wine Pairing: A Grenache or Merlot will match most pizzas, a Rosé will match pizzas with lighter toppings.
6. Chocolate Desserts
For the sweet toothed wine lover a rich chocolate dessert can be paired with dessert wines or a sweeter wine like Muscat. Chocolate and wine pairing is an adventure in taste where the sweetness of the wine matches the bitterness of dark chocolate or the sweetness of milk chocolate.
- Wine Pairing: A sweet dessert wine like Muscat or a Tawny Port is the perfect finish to the meal.
7. Seasonal Salads and Fresh Produce
Many Australian wineries are located near regions famous for their fresh produce. Seasonal salads, roasted vegetables and dishes featuring local ingredients are a lighter option for a warm afternoon.
- Wine Pairing: Light and refreshing wines like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc will match the fresh flavours of seasonal dishes.
8. Barbecue and Grilled Meats
Australian wineries also love a barbecue. Grilled meats – steak, chicken, pork – often feature on winery menus. These dishes are smoky, juicy and will match with many wines.
- Wine Pairing: A big Shiraz or a spicy Grenache will match grilled meats, cutting through the smokiness with rich berry and spice flavours.
Top Australian Wine Regions to Visit
Australia has some of the world’s best wine regions, each with their own pairings and gastronomic delights.
1. Yarra Valley, Victoria
Famous for its cool climate wines like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley has many wineries with gourmet food experiences. Artisanal cheese, woodfire pizzas and farm-to-table dining are the region’s claims to fame.
2. Barossa Valley, South Australia
Barossa Valley is the Shiraz capital of Australia. The wineries here will often feature rich and hearty meals – slow cooked lamb, roasted vegetables, charcuterie boards – all of which will match the big red wines the region is famous for. Experience Barossa Valley like never before with exclusive wine tasting tours. Uncover exquisite wines and the stunning landscapes of this famous region.
3. Margaret River, Western Australia
Margaret River produces world class Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wineries here focus on fresh seafood, artisanal produce and gourmet dining experiences and often offer multi course meals designed to match their wines.
4. Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Hunter Valley is famous for its Semillon and Shiraz. The wineries here will serve local produce, cheeses and grilled meats.
Conclusion
Wine pairing is all about finding the balance of flavours that complement both the food and the wine. Whether it’s seafood and a crisp white or Shiraz and a meaty dish, the perfect pairing is a celebration of flavours.
From woodfired pizzas to lamb dishes, Australian wineries have a plethora of food to match our amazing wines. Knowing how to pair these foods with the right wines will elevate your wine experience and create harmony for wine lovers and foodies alike.
FAQs
What wine goes with creamy pasta?
A Chardonnay with creamy richness, especially one aged in oak, pairs well with creamy sauces.
Can I drink red wine with seafood?
Yes, a light red like Pinot Noir with rich seafood dishes like seared tuna or salmon.
What wine with spicy food?
An off-dry Riesling or Pinot Gris will balance the heat in spicy food with a touch of sweetness and acidity.
What wine with dark chocolate?
For dark chocolate, a sweet wine like Port or late-harvest Riesling is perfect, balancing the bitterness with fruit sweetness.
What wine for light seafood?
A Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio with citrus will match light seafood and enhance their flavours.