FOOD & WINE
Pairing Guide
GREAT WINE
MAKES GOOD FOOD
EVEN BETTER
Simple. Practical. No Guesswork.
Pairing wine with food is easier than people expect. A few reliable rules will get you most of the way there.
This is how we think about it at the shop — a few things that keep working,
drawn from classic wine theory and a lot of conversations at the counter.
It comes down to three.
BIN 104
THE RULES WE USE IN-STORE
- MATCH THE WEIGHT
Light food — Light wine
Rich Food — Fuller wine
2. PAIR TO THE SAUCE
(not just the protein)
Chicken with cream sauce
Chicken with tomato sauce
3. BALANCE THE FLAVOURS
Acid loves acid
Tannins love fat
Sweet matches sweet
1. MATCH THE WEIGHT
Light food — Light wine
Rich Food — Fuller wine
2. PAIR TO THE SAUCE
(not just the protein)
Chicken with cream sauce
Chicken with tomato sauce
3. BALANCE KEY ELEMENTS
– Acid loves acid
– Tanins love fat
– Sweet balances Spice
4. THE ACID RULE
Your wine should be at least as acidic as your food, or it will taste flat by comparison.
4. THE ACID RULE
Your wine should be at least as acidic as your food, or it will taste flat by comparison.
BEST WINE MATCHES
Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah
Pinot Noir, Grenache, Chianti
Syrah, Bordeaux Blends
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Chardonnay, Viognier
Pinot Noir, Gamay
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio
Sauvignon Blanc, Sparkling
Chianti, Sangiovese, Barbera
Chianti, Barbera, Zinfandel
Zinfandel, Shiraz, Malbec
Riesling (off dry), Gewurztraminer
Pinot Noir, Grenache, Sauv. Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay, Sparkling, Sauv. Blanc
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
Port, Late Harvest, Icewine
WHY IT WORKS
Tannins cut through fat and protein
Versatile, matches both light & savoury
Earthy flavours complement the meat
Medium body matches the dish
Rich wine for rich sauce
Light tannins, food-friendly
One of the few “red or white” options
Light, fresh, doesn’t overpower
High acid enhances freshness
Acid matches the sauce
Acid + fruit handles tomato + cheese
Bold flavours match smoke and spice
Touch of sweetness cools heat
Earthy flavours align
Crisp and refreshing
Creaminess + acidity
Structure handles intensity
Sweet must match sweet
BEST WINE MATCHES
Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah
Pinot Noir, Grenache, Chianti
Syrah, Bordeaux Blends
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Chardonnay, Viognier
Pinot Noir, Gamay
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio
Sauvignon Blanc, Sparkling
Chianti, Sangiovese, Barbera
Chianti, Barbera, Zinfandel
Zinfandel, Shiraz, Malbec
Riesling (off dry), Gewurztraminer
Pinot Noir, Grenache, Sauv. Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay, Sparkling, Sauv. Blanc
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
Port, Late Harvest, Icewine
WHY IT WORKS
Tannins cut through fat and protein
Versatile, matches both light & savoury
Earthy flavours complement the meat
Medium body matches the dish
Rich wine for rich sauce
Light tannins, food-friendly
One of the few “red or white” options
Light, fresh, doesn’t overpower
High acid enhances freshness
Acid matches the sauce
Acid + fruit handles tomato + cheese
Bold flavours match smoke and spice
Touch of sweetness cools heat
Earthy flavours align
Crisp and refreshing
Creaminess + acidity
Structure handles intensity
Sweet must match sweet
BEST WINE MATCHES
Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah
Pinot Noir, Grenache, Chianti
Syrah, Bordeaux Blends
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Chardonnay, Viognier
Pinot Noir, Gamay
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio
Sauvignon Blanc, Sparkling
Chianti, Sangiovese, Barbera
Chianti, Barbera, Zinfandel
Zinfandel, Shiraz, Malbec
Riesling (off dry), Gewurztraminer
Pinot Noir, Grenache, Sauv. Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay, Sparkling, Sauv. Blanc
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
Port, Late Harvest, Icewine
WHY IT WORKS
Tannins cut through fat and protein
Versatile, matches both light & savoury
Earthy flavours complement the meat
Medium body matches the dish
Rich wine for rich sauce
Light tannins, food-friendly
One of the few “red or white” options
Light, fresh, doesn’t overpower
High acid enhances freshness
Acid matches the sauce
Acid + fruit handles tomato + cheese
Bold flavours match smoke and spice
Touch of sweetness cools heat
Earthy flavours align
Crisp and refreshing
Creaminess + acidity
Structure handles intensity
Sweet must match sweet
COMPLEMENTARY VS CONGRUENT PAIRING
- Congruent pairings share a flavour (creamy wine + creamy sauce).
- Complementary pairings contrast to create balance (crisp acidic white cutting through rich, fatty food
PAIRINGS TO AVOID
- Spicy food + high-alcohol wine — alcohol amplifies heat instead of cooling it.
- High-tannin red wines can overpower delicate fish. For richer, oily fish like salmon,
a low-tannin Pinot Noir is the classic exception. - Chocolate + very dry red — bitterness compounds; try port instead.
Before You Choose a Wine
Ask Yourself:
-What is the main ingrediant?
– Is the sauce light or rich?
– Is the dish spicy?
– Is the wine for sipping or with food?
– Who arre you serving?
BIN 104 Wine Tip
When in doubt…
Match the weight of the wine to the weight of the food.
Light food — lighter wines
Rich food — fuller bodied wines
One simple rule. Better wine pairing every time
Still Not Sure?
Every bottle has a story —-
Tell us what you’re serving, your budget,
and who’s joining you for dinner.
We’ll help you fine the right bottle.
780-436*8850
GROWS TOGETHER, GOES TOGETHER
Regional food and wine evolved side by side
Think local. A Tuscan ragu with Chianti, or spicy Mexican dishes with an off-dry Riesling.
Matching a dish’s region to its wine is rarely a bad move.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What wine goes with everything?
Pinot Noir (red) and Chardonnay (white) are among the most versatile, food-friendly choices
Should I match wine to the protein or the sauce?
Usually the sauce, it often has the biggest influence on the wine pairing
What wine goes with pizza?
Chianti or Sangiovese-based red pairs beautifully with tomato and cheese, while Pinot Grigio works well with white or vegetable pizzas.
How do I pair a wine with a cheese board?
Soft cheeses love a sparkling wine or Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc.
Hard, aged cheeses stand up to Cabernet Sauvignon.
Can I break these pairing rules?
Absolutely — these are starting points. Once you know why a pairing works, experiment freely.
54 54 Calgary Trail NW
Edmonotn, AB
780-436-8850
Great Selection
Great Advice
Every Time
www.bin104.com