Food & Wine Nirvana

March 27, 2007

Call me young & inexperienced, call me unschooled, call me a ‘fool of a took’ for all I care - but for the first time in my life, I experienced a small bit of wine & food nirvana.

I have always heard people talk about food and wine pairings - and further more how much they ought to and can compliment each other. I also have a good grasp of what goes with what and have indeed done a lot of experimenting - but I have never actually experienced a perfect pairing (and often wondered if there was one for that matter).

Until last night that is.

The wine in question and perfectly chosen by my house mate Yolinda:

La Motte Woolworths Merlot 2005

The dish - Creamy Spice Rump Pasta - was full of creamy ginger, chilli and rosemary and had mouthfuls of sumptuous beef rump slivers.

The wine before eating was a little ‘tart’ and overly fruity.

The wine while eating was rivetingly rich, beautifully smooth and full of spicy chocolate flavours.

Right before my eyes, as if by pure magic, the food had completely changed the complexion of the wine (of course I know there is a scientific explanation for this but I guess I’m with Gandalf and his wizardry on this one)

I think what happened is this: the ‘tart’ levels of acidity present in the wine were off set by the high levels of acidity in the spicy dish. The nett result was something so bloody marvelous that “A”: I didn’t want to finish my food and “B”: I didn’t want the wine to run out!

It’s ‘coming of age’ moment like this that makes wine so appealing … I love it!

Cru Master

Posted in Food & Wine