Truffles and Wine: The Best Pairing Choices
16 Feb 2018, by Truffle Faves inTruffles are a unique flavor, and if you’ve decided tonight is the night you’ll be adding this indulgent ingredient to the dinner menu, you’d better not forget about the wine menu too! Truffles and wine are a beautiful complement to each other and you want to ensure you get the pairing right so as not to waste your indulgent meal. So, here are some tips on how to get the right truffle and wine pairing possible, no matter the type of truffle you’ve got.
What You Should Look for in a Wine Pairing for Truffles
Choosing a wine to accompany your truffles can be a hard choice, however one thing that is for certain is that an inadequate or cheap and cheerful wine will not do to pair with your expensive ingredient choice. You must find a wine which is strong enough to stand with truffle flavors, yet does not interfere with them.
Look for a wine that has an earthly aroma, is medium-bodied, and low in acidity. You want a wine that doesn’t compete with your truffles, matches the earthiness, but also cleanses your palate. If you can find a wine with mushroom notes, even better!
This is the perfect occasion to bring out an aged wine you may have been saving for some time. This type of wine brings out the best in truffle flavors as it begins to acquire an earthy flavor which perfectly complements the earthy tones of the truffle. To bring out the best flavor of a red wine, ensure to decant and allow to breathe before consuming.
Age is the ultimate secret when searching for that perfect wine to go with your truffles. Many meals will allow for you to find a more inexpensive alternative wine, however the complexity of the flavor in a truffle demands a wine which is just as concrete and unique in flavor.
When pairing your wine, the type of truffle also matters. Opposites attract in this case, with black truffles pairing perfectly with white wines, sparking wine and champagnes. And of course, white truffles work beautifully with red wines.
Types of Wines to Look for When Pairing
There are a few names to keep in mind when visiting your local cellar to choose a wine:
- White Burgundy
- Champagne
- Red Burgundy
- Nebbiolo
- Sparkling medium-body wines
- Marsanne wine
- Vergine wines
All of these should be aged well in order to bring out the best flavors of the truffles (think 10+ years). Avoid wines which are young, light and fruity, as these will clash with your dish.
Finding the right wine to go with your truffles can help you get maximum enjoyment from this rare delicacy. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your wine choice, just ensure it has aged appropriately and you might be pleasantly surprised with your findings! Also, don’t be afraid to try a selection of wines throughout your meal.
If you’d like more information about truffles or truffle products, contact Susan Alexander Truffles for expert advice with our consultation services.
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