Euro Wine Pairings 101

You know and love your European wines — but have you given much thought to pairing them with food selections? The marketing arm of none other than the European Union itself recently sent us a package of wines and foods from Europe, designed to showcase the unique tastes of four of its member countries — all with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) or Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status.

While some of these specific products may be difficult to find, the broad strokes are instructive.

2023 Nortico Alvarinho Minho – A classic presentation of Portuguese albarino, heavy with mineral and showcasing a lively melon quality. Subtle but brisk notes of grapefruit brighten up the finish with a gently sour citrus element — but it’s honeydew and a healthy dash of salt that endure for the long haul.

Paired with Pimiento Del Piquillo de Lodosa from Spain — classic roasted red peppers exclusive to Lodosa, Spain, with a substantial bite to them. It’s a solid pairing, though chewing on roasted red peppers solo isn’t the most exciting thing when they’re on their own, the smokiness and savoriness here play a nice foil against the more salty-sweet character of the alvarinho.

2022 Moric Blaufrankisch Burgenland – Again, a traditional presentation of hearty blaufrankisch, deeply earthy and layered with notes of roast beef and rich balsamic elements. Spiced cranberry, cola, and tea leaf notes give the wine a lingering holiday vibe, austere but also elegant in its own way.

Paired with Džiugas from Lithuania – an aged cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano with a nutty flavor and a salty, crystalline texture that makes it hard to put down. The mix of salt and slightly sour work well together — but any cheese paired with red wine is totally up my alley. For that matter, so is cheese and white wine. In fact, I thought this cheese was an even better pairing for the alvarinho, in the end.

For more pairing ideas, check out @morethanfoodus on Instagram.

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