The diversity of wine and food found throughout the world is astounding. When it comes to wine and food pairing, there are some basic “rules” that can help guide us to successful matches.
Understanding the inter-relationship between wine and food helps to enhance our enjoyment of both. Ultimately you will develop your own personal preferences, but always, the goal remains the same: to enjoy a delicious glass of wine with a tasty dish.
I derive great pleasure from harmonious pairings. Each time I think about a particular wine, I dream a bit about its country of origin, the location of the vineyard and the people. Very quickly this leads to craving foods that pair well with that wine. A great combination can heighten the enjoyment of both the food and the wine.
I am not a professional chef. I did, however, start cooking at a young age. Cooking nutritious and delicious food has been an essential part of my daily life for a long time. By profession, I am a wine expert with more than 15 years’ experience.
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of travelling extensively, visiting more than 100 countries. In each place I have visited, I have enjoyed soaking up the unique aromas and amazing flavours of the local cuisines. My cooking is a melding of my Chilean heritage and the influence of these diverse cultures.
The wine and food pairings in the recipes below are here for your enjoyment and as guidelines. Don’t be afraid to get creative and have fun experimenting with different combinations of your own choosing. Happy pairing!
Wines & Recipes: The simple guide to wine and food pairing by Raul Diaz, is published by Whitefox (£30).
