Are wine and food inseparable?

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.

At the end of the New Wines of Greece seminar here in Chicago, Greek Master of Wine Konstantinos Lazarakis made this statement:

“The days of a meal and wine are long gone.”

Allow me to back up for a moment; I love wine. I mean I really, really love wine. You do not want me to diagram this for you.

This man loves to pair a cool Kabinett with his Maki rolls.

But most kids like me do easily 90% of our drinking outside of the influence of food, in fact, at times we would probably rather drink than fill our bodies with deliciously nutritious calories. And wine, really isn’t considered inherently different in this respect.

I mean, to be honest, the whole food and wine pairing routine sounded a little batshit medieval crazy to me the first time I heard someone waxing damn near George Bernard Shaw on the wonders of Barbaresco with shaved truffle pasta.

So I pose a question: do you agree that wine, even fine wine, can enter into an appreciation of its own without being inextricably tied to some food combination?

Do we always need to pull the “a perfect pair with…” card at the end of every review?

Talk at me.

Krystle

I’ve only just begun learning about wine, so I don’t know too much about what types of wines go with what kinds of foods. I still have to get past learning all these kinds of grapes and regions!

So far, I think a well-balanced wine doesn’t need a good dish to pair with. If it can stand out by it self, great. If it’s a wine that you “absolutely-must-drink-with-steak” or fish or whatever, eh, I can take it or leave.

However, when reading certain reviews, it’s good to hear the “pairs well with” because as a waitress, I’m learning a lot about wine buzz words. Knowing about wine/food pairings can be important as diners will often ask “what wine will go with what I am eating?”
Margaret

Your comments beg the question – so what DO you drink with your meals? Water, soda, beer, milk, nothing?

I think part of the real fun of wine (with food) is that the endless variety of food and the endless variety of wine mean every meal is a little adventure. Sometimes it works well, sometimes not – but that’s OK. Fortunately I get to eat everyday and try again!
http://thebrokewino.com sam klingberg

@margret I usually drink wine or beer with meals. My comment is that wine criticism should be aware that wine and food pairing is becoming more of a foreign concept to the average drinker. Not to say that it isn’t valid, or even amazing. I just think they apply to an ever increasingly smaller segment of consumers.

@krystle You’re very right, and that’s an oversight by me. Alcohol is inextricably tied to the restaurant industry, and I’m sure that’s an invaluable resource.
Sassodoro

Whatever turns you on. If you like wine by itself, cool. If you like wine with food, cool. But some things turn on a lot of people, and it’s worth giving them a chance before dismissing them.

Bacon by itself is wonderful stuff. But it’s also great in BLTs and with eggs and pancakes. Wine can be the same way – great by itself, great with food. Why not give it a shot?
http://agoodtimewithwine.com Matthew mmWine Horbund

This is the Old World versus New World Debate. New world wines re crafted to be drank alone. Old world wines always have been, and still are, crafted to be drank with food. In Italy and France, meals were a way to bring family (and friends) together. Wine was always on the table, and it was meant to compliment the meal, not supplant it.

Today, people just want to drink, food be damned. You more or less stated that in your article. However, I will tell you that some wines will absolutely SUCK without food. Not because the wine sucks, but because they were made with the premise they’d compliment a meal.

I will tell you that my most memorable meal revolves around the wine and food pairing. The Rack of Lamb was great. The wine was fantastic. Together, they made the most memorable meal I’ve ever had in my entire life.

Does wine NEED food, no. Are some, maybe MANY wines better with food, most certainly.
http://agoodtimewithwine.com Matthew mmWine Horbund

Sam-
Re “wine and food pairing is becoming more of a foreign concept to the average drinker”

That’s bold statement, and people will ask where your proof comes from. Does it come from your experiences. DOes it come from research, and if so, is it a certain demographic?

Frankly, with my friends, every dinner party, or get together, has the menu and wine considered together. However, we’re in our late 30s early 40s, and are willing to spend the time, and money, to make that happen. However, in my 20s, I was all about pizza and beer. Wine was something that was served to upscale a get together, and food wasnt considered.
http://agoodtimewithwine.com Matthew mmWine Horbund

Clearly I’ve got some feelings about this topic

One thing that you should keep in mind – your blog title says a lot about it.

It could very well be a choice you make. If you’re on a budget, you’re going to pick drink or food, and not splurge on BOTH should you be having a party, a meal, whatever. I assure you, as you make your way in the world, and The Broke Wino becomes “The Well Traveled Wino” and your pockets are flush, you’ll LOVE the food and wine pairings you discover!
http://thebrokewino.com sam klingberg

@Matt thanks for having some feelings, love the comments.

I think it’s a generational thing, honestly.

Being in my 20′s, and like I said, everyone I know does virtually all of their drinking apart from food. And we do a lot of drinking. Wine, honestly isn’t the biggest choice, it’s certainly beer, but wine is becoming more and more popular (especially with girls, but everyone knows that.) I’m certainly doing my share to encourage it’s growth, too.

I would amend my previous statement of “average drinker” and say “virtually every drinker my age” and I think you have a pretty solid, though admittedly unscientific, statement.
Vidas

I don’t believe wine and food are married to each other necessarily – but they do offer opportunities to compliment each other – even raise the experience.

I’ve been lucky enough to visit some great Chicago restaurants and enjoy tasting menus – at times with wines I chose for myself and again with the paired tasting menu offering with wine.

I think my wine choices worked fine – but some of the wines served with the tasting menu with wine really elevated the experience. I felt I came away from the meal with a new perspective on wine and how it enhanced the meal.

As you note – encourage it’s growth. There are no rules – except for drinking warm sparkling wine. Thats just sad.

Wine <3 Food?

Chicago Blogs

Wine Blogs

Wine Resources