Wine
Holiday Tips
for Gifting
and Pairing Wines
By Paula Moulton
W
ith the holidays right
around the corner, some
of us are asking the
question: How the
heck do I pick up
a great wine?
Tips for Pairing Wine
For The Holidays:
look at couples. There are two types
of couples in this world: There are
the couples who are similar to one
another and make each other whole
almost like being one person and
then there are the couples who are
In general, I pair wine using a simple
technique that I learned from a
famous sommelier in France. “Wine
pairing should be looked at like we
Tips for Gifting Wine
Be Adventurous: Dare to be
different and pick your wine based
on the beauty of its label as long
as it fits in with your price range.
You may be surprised to learn that
wine labels oftentimes reflect the
personality of the wine in the bottle
so perhaps your eye will be your
trainer for the evening.
completely opposite and one would
never put them together.”
Yet both couples work together
and form a powerful bond...
Is this wine similar to the menu?
Here is an example: A heavy beef
stew with lots of pepper and bay
leaves would have flavors similar
to a peppery, earthy red wine like a
Cabernet Sauvignon or a spicy Pinot
Noir. The bold aromas and flavors of
the wine are similar to the strong
and spicy ingredients in the stew.
Is this wine opposite from the
menu? Here is an example: A creamy
white sauce over pasta would pair
well with a nice Sauvignon Blanc.
Why? The acidity in the wine is
opposite from the creamy, smooth
sauce and actually subdues and
balances both flavors.
Don’t Forget to Share: Wine is
about sharing, so bring the gift of
wine based on what you would pick
to drink yourself.
What About The Rules: Break the
Rules! Your host/hostess is making
pizza, but you only drink white wine
and you’ve heard that red wine is
traditionally paired with pizza.
You might be surprised to learn
that a full-bodied white and even
a sparkling white or Champagne
pair well with pizza.
About Paula Moulton
Paula Moulton is a wine expert who
started off growing grapes for some
of the most renowned labels in the
nation (as a woman let alone!) and
is using everything that she has
learned (life lessons included-wait
till she tells you about spitting or
swallowing!) to educate the average
person on wine.
Don’t Forget to Learn: You want to
branch out and try wine from other
countries so research your host/
hostess and bring a wine from the
country of their origin.
Paula is an author, contributor for
Wine Enthusiast, and is currently one
of only 20 people in the world who
has passed the wine course earning
the prestigious Cordon Bleu Wine
Management degree in France.
Remember the Seasons: Pick your
wine based on the season. Is it winter
and time for something hearty or
isit summer and sizzling hot, pick
your wine based on the weather?
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