Ahoy NY Food Tours Blog

If you mention New York City, there are tons of topics to discuss. New York is a place of endless possibilities, in terms of business, career, leisure, iconic landmarks, and food. The city that never sleeps offers nothing but the best of everything. It is something you would expect from the world’s best city, according to the 2019 Time Out Index.

In the same survey, the Big Apple was also recognized as a top honor for having an extraordinary combination of food and drink. The big city houses the best restaurants in the entire world. It offers a wide range of different cuisines that according, to international diners, is best served with remarkable wine.

If you’re planning to visit New York and explore more, fine dining paired with a gulp of their exquisite wine is a must-try. Besides visiting the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty, satisfying your mouth with New York’s best should also be included in your to-do’s. With that, here is a list of the best wines and food pairings that every sommelier would recommend:

Cabernet Sauvignon

First in the list is the classic Cabernet Sauvignon, this is the most famous variety of red wine in the list. It is known for its dark fruit flavors that diffuses an earthy and pungent aroma. Cabernet Sauvignon is best paired with red meat like smoked beef or lamb. It also goes well with hard cheese like Gouda, Cheddar, or Cow cheese.

Syrah

Syrah is another variety of red wine, but unlike the Cabernet Sauvignon, it has a more notable fruity flavor. This red wine oozes with the fragrance of earthy spices like pepper. Since Syrah has a sweeter taste, it is best paired with grilled meat and vegetables like braised beef or spareribs. For wine tasting, Syrah is best paired with Soft-ripened cheese and Gouda.

Pinot Noir

If you want something light or medium-bodied type of red wine, Pinot Noir is the one for you. It is known for its notable taste of cherry with some hints of spices, while the fragrance is of earthy and fruity notes. Because of its sweet taste, it is best paired with veal, chicken, or duck and cured meats. Pinot Noir also goes well with creamy delicacies or soft cheeses.

Malbec

Malbec is another deep red wine that is most popular in Argentina, though this type originated in France. The notable flavor of Malbec is a mix of red plum, blackberry, and a hint of sweet tobacco. This type of red wine is best with grilled meats like beef steak and also recommended with burgers. Malbec is best paired with blue cheese during a wine tasting.

Zinfandel

If you’re looking for something more exclusive, then this variety is for you. This variety is only cultivated in the state of California and is aged in American Oak. Zinfandel is easily distinguished because of its jam-like flavor of ripe fruits and some hints of spiciness. Sommeliers recommend this variety with pasta and seafood cuisines.

Merlot

Merlot is quite similar to Cabernet Sauvignon however, the fruity flavor is more notable in this variety. The complexity of the wine is observed in the red fruit flavors and the spicy aroma aided with smooth tannins. This variety of wine is best paired with hamburgers or even lamb or duck cuisines. As the Cabernet Sauvignon, it is good with some Gouda and Cheddar.

Chardonnay

If you’re more of a white wine type, then you must try the most popular variety of white wine, which is the Chardonnay. It is a full-bodied white wine that has a buttery sensation in the tongue. The Chardonnay is known for its apple flavor with citrus fragrance. This classic wine is best paired with seafood like shellfish, lobster, or crabs.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is a dry white wine that is usually light to medium-bodied. The most notable flavor of this variety is the citrus taste with hints of honey and other vanilla flavors. The aroma is full of citrus and grassy notes. Sauvignon Blanc is best paired with fish, chicken, or veal. It is also recommended with scallops and some goat cheese.

Riesling

To sell your wine internationally would mean it has become a sensation to the tongue, like the Riesling. Originating from the Rhine Valley of Germany, this wine is usually sweet and dry. At first taste, it is acidic but the flavor is even out with the hints of peach and nectarine. This variety is best paired with spicy Asian cuisines and some Raclette cheese.

Pinot Grigio

The Pinot Grigio is an epitome of a classic Italian white wine. It is described as light and dry with natural flavors of pear and apple. It has an exotic aroma that is rich in floral notes. The Pinot Grigio is best with shellfish cuisines and other seafood. It is also best paired with Feta and Fontina cheese.

Observing food pairing with the correct variety of wine would yield a more ecstatic feeling to the mouth. In New York City, everything on the list is available in every fine dining restaurant you can find. To try other superb wine pairings, you can consult the in-house sommelier for more choices.

This is a guest post by Scarlett Wells and the picture is from pexels.com.