One of the great strengths of so-called ‘new wave’ wines is how well they go with food – unsurprising really, given they largely hail from such legendary food and wine countries as Spain and Italy.
Let’s tuck in with some basic pointers on pairing these awesome alternative wines with some of your favourite foods!
MATCHING NEW WAVE WINES WITH MEAT
As with the classic French varieties, a simple rule of thumb for food and wine pairings with alternative styles is to match red with red, pairing wine with food of comparable flavour intensity.
Durif, Malbec and Sagrantino, with their bold fruit flavours and tannin density, are perfect matches for barbeques, slow-roasted lamb or any other dish where red meat takes centre stage.
Try this spiced lamb kofte with cucumber and yoghurt salad with a full-bodied new wave red and let those rich flavours really sing!
MATCHING NEW WAVE WINES WITH POULTRY
There are few better ways to enjoy chicken and turkey than with a delicious white wine, and new wave styles are no exception.
If you’re preparing a classic roast chicken, Viognier’s rich, textural palate and mouth-filling flavours of apricot and ginger makes a perfect match.
Alternatively, a spicy chicken noodle dish will really shine with the bright acidity of Grüner Veltliner, while a creamy chicken and mushroom pasta finds its ideal partner with Fiano.
Try this roast chicken with parsnip mash recipe with Viognier… and prepare your taste buds for pure pleasure.
MATCHING NEW WAVE WINES WITH SEAFOOD
With many new wave wines hailing from places with rich maritime heritages, it’s no surprise to learn that alternative white varietals are a match made in heaven with seafood.
Whether pairing Fiano with smoked fish or Chenin Blanc with simply-prepared seafood, you can’t go wrong.
The almond flavours and bright fruit characters of Garganega, meanwhile, makes it a wonderful wine to enjoy with richer fish, as well as shellfish like oysters and crab.
For something that will really make your palate dance, try a glass of Garganega with this great little salt and pepper spanner crab recipe!
MATCHING NEW WAVE WINES WITH VEGETARIAN FOOD
There’s never been a better time to explore the flavour combinations afforded to meat-free Mondays by new wave wines.
Chenin Blanc’s refreshing acidity makes it a natural partner to light salads, and Fiano’s savoury texture sees it match nicely with a Caprese salad.
Fried zucchini flowers are a treat with Pinot Blanc, while Garganega makes a delicious match with a mushroom and spinach quiche.
For a novel wine and salad pairing, pour a glass of Fiano and partner it with Dan Pepperell’s Caprese di pesca – you won’t be disappointed!
MORE GREAT FOOD AND WINE GUIDES
Looking for more great food and wine matches? Our friends at Wine Selectors have you covered: try their Food and Wine Pairing Essentials Guide, or their excellent Takeout Tastings series… enough to satisfy the hungriest wine lover!
Want to try something new? Our New Wave Wonders selections are for you!
Featuring such beautiful wines as the sensational Soumah Hexham Viognier 2019 (valued at $40 RRP) and the Andrew Peace Felix Sagrantino 2017 (valued at $50 RRP), they provide excellent snapshots of the New Wave wine scene in Australia for just $16.50 a bottle, with the latest issue of Selector magazine included FREE – only for readers of The New Daily!