First things first—forget everything you know about pairing food with wine. Seriously, throw those rules out the window and trust your taste buds. After all, they’re the ones eating and drinking, right?

PAIRING FOOD AND WINE – MYTH BUSTING 101

Food should be a wonderful experience: full of variety, often enjoyed, and occasionally followed by a nap. The first bite? Always the best. But that second one? It’s just you chasing that initial high.

As for wine, it shouldn’t be the diva of the meal. It’s more like a backup dancer—enhancing, complementing, but never stealing the spotlight. The goal here is balance, not a food fight in your mouth.

Now, if you’re expecting me to rattle off some “classic” pairings like Sauvignon Blanc with chicken or Cabernet Sauvignon with beef stew, you’re in luck. There’s truth in those pairings, but here’s the kicker: the real rule is… drink what you like! Because if you think Merlot pairs beautifully with pizza, which is does by the way, you’ve just created a masterpiece. Picasso would be proud.

WINE PAIRING TIPS (WITH A TWIST)

  • Drink to enjoy yourself: But pace yourself. You don’t want to be that person passionately discussing the “oaky finish” while you’re trying to find your shoes.
  • Don’t break the bank: You don’t need a second mortgage for a good bottle of wine. Some of the best wines cost less than a night out, and won’t make you question your life choices in the morning.
  • Love at first sip? Buy in bulk: If you stumble upon a bottle that makes your taste buds do a happy dance, buy enough to last you a while. Because wine is like a summer romance—perfect and fleeting. And just like that romance, you’ll probably never find it again.
  • Sending a wine back: Only do this if it’s gone bad. Don’t return it just because it tastes like regret and missed opportunities—you chose it, you drink it.
  • Be a wine whisperer: Try to describe every wine you taste, even if it sounds ridiculous. Notes of “mystery” and “the aftertaste of childhood dreams” are totally valid. Just go with it.

Need more pairing inspiration? Check out Food and Wine or, better yet, trust your gut. Literally.

Sources: Food and Wine, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Folly, BinWise, Lots of Googling and my twisted humor