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Pairing Wine with Global Cuisines

Notes from Our “20 for $20” Wine List, by our Sommelier Traci Dutton.

A+ with Asian

When selecting wines for Asian flavors, look for ones that have high acidity and low alcohol. Many dishes in this category have zippy flavors made with citrus juices, tamarind, and rice vinegars that score big with acidic wines. These cuisines often have a generous amount of heat from chiles or peppercorns, and that hotness will only be over-accentuated by high-alcohol wines. Young and un-oaked styles of aromatic white wines like Riesling or Viognier work perfectly, along with almost any type of sparkling wine. Meatier dishes will do fine with a light-bodied, fruity red wine.

Mumm Brut Prestige, MV, Napa Valley
Loredona Riesling, 2008, Monterey
Cline Viognier, 2007, California
Chateau St. Jean Gewürztraminer, 2008, Sonoma County
Mirassou Pinot Noir, 2008, California

Marvelous with Mediterranean

With freshness being a hallmark of the Mediterranean diet, equally fresh wines make the meal fantastic. Explore Italian varieties like Pinot Grigio or Sangiovese that provide vibrant matches for this diverse and bountiful culinary world. Look for clean, lemony, medium-bodied dry white wines to complement fruity olive oils, garden herbs, and seafood, and medium to slightly richer reds with a touch of warm spice to complement grilled meats and the vast array of flavorful cheeses that have their birthright in Italy, Spain, and France.

Estancia Pinot Grigio, 2008, California
Whitehall Lane Sauvignon Blanc, 2008, Napa Valley
Bonterra Chardonnay, 2006, Mendocino County
Montevina Terra d’Oro Barbera, 2006, Amador County
Sebastiani Zinfandel, 2006, Sonoma County

Lovely with Latin

Layers of flavors in salsas—from fresh to slow-cooked—bring out the Latin food lover in all of us. With a quick salsa verde or fruit juice marinade, choose a light, crisp white wine, and as the sweet, juicy, roasted peppers come on to the plate, switch up to a dry rosé for a little extra body and fruitiness. When the sauce becomes rich with dried chile, sweet and hot spices, and tinges of smoke, reach for robust red wines with mouth-filling texture and noticeably oaky character.

Bokisch Albariño, 2007, Lodi
Robert Hall “Rosé de Robles, “Hall Ranch,” 2008, Paso Robles
York Creek Vineyards, “Cuvée SC,” Sonoma County
Guenoc Petite Sirah, 2005, Lake County
Bridlewood Syrah, 2006, Central Coast

Great with Everything

Sterling Sauvignon Blanc, 2008, Napa Valley
Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc—Viognier, 2008, California
Dry Creek Vineyards Heritage Zinfandel, 2007, Sonoma County
Markham Merlot, 2005, Napa Valley
Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007, Sonoma County