Wine – often said to be the nectar of the gods- is a drink that somehow makes you feel classy even when you’re in your pyjamas. It has an enchanting way of elevating almost any occasion and your spirit (pun intended). Just as you wouldn’t wear pyjamas to a black-tie event, certain things should not be paired with wine. And it is only if you want to ruin your mood! If you don’t want that to happen, here are 5 things to never have with wine.
5 Things To Never Have With Wine: Chocolate, Sushi, And More
Chocolate
This might come as a shocker to many of you since chocolate goes well with a number of spirits. However, when it comes to wine, it’s best to keep it at bay. Chocolates often provide a textured, earthy sweetness/bitterness. Most wines, especially dry red wines, don’t pair well with such a texture and flavor profile.
Red wine contains tannins and when it clashes with the bitterness in the dark chocolate or the sugar in milk chocolate, the result is often a wine that tastes astringent. Sweeter chocolates can also make dry wines taste quite sour or harsh on the palate. However, if you are keen on pairing chocolate with wine, make sure to swap your regular wine for a dessert wine or a sweet red wine.
Sushi (And Seafood At Large)
This might be a bummer for sushi fans out there, but its best to avoid sushi when having wine. This is because the pairing of raw fish, sesame, and seaweed is quite tricky with wine. Many studies have been conducted worldwide to find out the reason why your beloved sushi is a no-go with most common wines.
In the end, many of these studies have concluded that the iron red wine would latch on to fish oils and stick to your taste palate, resulting in a metallic, fishy aftertaste. And we think no one would likely want that aftertaste! While red wine and sushi (or other seafood) can be a disastrous idea, many wine experts believe that a crisp white wine would be a decent alternative.
Brussel Sprouts
They are healthy, cute, and certainly quite delicious if made the right way. Brussel sprouts can make for a great morning or evening snack and can certainly shine bright in a salad. But let’s keep them away when you’re having wine. This is because brussel sprouts are sulfurous, cruciferous vegetables.
While brussel sprouts are not high in sulfur, they do contain subtle amounts of this chemical, and even a subtle amount can ruin your wine. Even asparagus contains sulfur. When such vegetables are paired with wine, you might not like the resultant taste on your palate. Sulfur is notoriously known for giving food a rotten-egg taste, and it’s best to only imagine the crisis that would emerge if you have such foods with your beloved wine. So, for now, it’s best to keep wine away from your cute little greens.
Also Read: Bizarre But Useful Benefits Of Drinking Tequila We Bet You Didn’t Know About
Soy Sauce
We’re taking the route back to Asia again, this time to tell you that soy sauce certainly does not go well with most wines. Soy sauce derives its flavors from fermented soy beans, wheat, and a copious amount of salt. The aroma of soy sauce, too, has a bold, sour and salty umami flavor. The sour and salty taste of soy sauce can make the wine taste quite flabby and not extract the expected flavor.
However, that does not mean you’ll have to choose between the two. You can pair soy sauce with a sparkling Moscato to create the perfect ‘salty-sweet’ pairing. If not that, you can pair it with Carignan-based wines that add extra umami to your palate. The choice is completely yours – whether you wish to avoid soy sauce or pair it with a suitable wine.
Blue Cheese
We agree that most cheeses pair well with most wines, but blue cheese remains an exception. Blue cheese and other blue-veined cheeses are tricky to pair with wine. The reason is that they contain high amounts of alkan-2-ones, an odiferous aroma compound. Yes, this is why the cheese has a peculiar smell that most of us aren’t fond of! Fun fact – this is also the same compound found in sphagnum swamp moss.
The stinky, sometimes unbearable smell of blue cheese overpowers many dry wines. Moreover, the salty and slightly bitter taste of the blue cheese can clash with the acidity and tannins present in many wines. So, the next time someone passes you a cheese platter while having wine, make sure you skip the blue cheese!
Also Read: What Their Drink Says About Them on a First Date: Sip, Spill & Decode the Vibe
Summing Up
Wine is a drink that you can enjoy regardless of any occasion, even if you are alone. However, just like the right people in our life make every moment extra special, the right food combination with your wine can make the experience truly unforgettable. We noted down 5 things to never have with wine; however, many other things pair effortlessly with wine. So, the next time someone asks you what you’d like with your wine, you’d know at least five things to avoid. Cheers to better pairings and avoiding last-minute chaos!
FAQs
What Should You Not Eat With Wine?
There are many things that you should not eat with wine. Some of them have been mentioned below:
- Chocolate
- Brussel sprouts
- Asparagus
- Artichokes
- Eggs
What’s Safe To Mix With Wine?
Chopped fresh fruits like citrus, peaches, and strawberries are safe to mix with wine. Additionally, you can add honey, mint, basil, and ginger for a splash of freshness.
Can We Drink Wine Directly From A Bottle?
Yes, you can drink wine directly from a bottle. While there is no compulsion about drinking wine from a wine glass, many consume it in a glass to savor the flavor of the wine more elegantly.
