By: Untappd Team
March 18, 2024
Elevating your guests’ dining experience goes hand-in-hand with offering a thoughtful selection of wine varieties.
In this guide, we’ll delve into the world of wines, helping you understand how different wine varieties can enhance your menu and leave a lasting impression on your customers.
Think of wine varieties as the artistic brushstrokes that can paint a memorable dining experience for your guests. From robust reds to crisp whites, each bottle tells a unique story. Join us in exploring the best wine varieties.
What We’ll Cover in This Piece:
A Guide to Red Wine Varieties
Photo by Kym Ellis on Unsplash
Red wine varieties are a true culinary ally for restaurateurs seeking to add depth and richness to their menus. Red wines’ rich flavors and diverse profiles are a delightful addition to any dining experience. Each red wine variety brings something unique to the table, perfectly complementing certain dishes.
Let’s explore different types of red wines and discover the ideal red wine food pairings, allowing you to create memorable moments for your guests.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Renowned for its bold tannins and robust flavor profile, Cabernet Sauvignon pairs exceptionally well with hearty, flavorful dishes.
Try pairing this red wine with grilled steaks, lamb chops, or a classic beef stew. The red wine’s dark fruit notes and structured tannins stand up to the richness of red meats, creating a harmonious balance.
Merlot
Known for its approachable and velvety character, Merlot pairs well with a range of dishes.
The ideal foods to complement this red wine variety include roasted chicken, pasta dishes, or even mushroom-based vegetarian options. Merlot’s softer tannins and plum-like flavors create a smooth complement to these lighter yet flavorful meals.
Pinot Noir
Celebrated for its versatility and nuanced flavors, Pinot Noir pairs well with various dishes, making it a go-to choice for many occasions.
Consider serving Pinot Noir with grilled salmon, roasted duck, or a classic mushroom risotto. The wine’s bright acidity and red fruit notes enhance the flavors of these dishes without overpowering them.
Malbec
With its deep color and bold flavors, Malbec is an excellent choice for those who enjoy a robust red wine.
Pair Malbec with grilled meats, barbecue dishes, or spiced lamb. The wine’s dark fruit and smoky characteristics complement the charred and savory notes of these hearty, flavorful meals.
Syrah/Shiraz
Syrah, known as Shiraz in some regions, offers a bold and spicy experience.
This red wine variety pairs exceptionally well with grilled meats, especially those with smoky and peppery flavors.
Consider serving Syrah/Shiraz with barbecued ribs, spicy sausages, or a pepper-crusted steak. The wine’s robust profile can stand up to the intensity of these dishes.
As you build your red wine menu, you must explore what works best for your brand and your guests’ preferences, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors that enhances their overall dining experience and drives value to your business.
A Guide to White Wine Varieties
Photo by Matthieu Joannon on Unsplash
White wines, with their refreshing and crisp characteristics, offer a delightful array of options for enhancing your dining experience.
Each white wine variety brings a unique flavor profile, making them versatile companions for various dishes.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay, a versatile and widely planted grape, offers a spectrum of styles.
With its bright acidity, Unoaked Chardonnay pairs well with lighter fare such as seafood, grilled chicken, and salads.
Oaked Chardonnay, with its richer texture and notes of vanilla, complements heartier dishes like creamy pasta, roasted poultry, and buttery lobster.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc, known for its zesty acidity and vibrant flavors, perfectly matches lighter, tangy dishes.
Pair Sauvignon Blanc with goat cheese salads, ceviche, or grilled vegetables. This wine variety’s citrusy and herbaceous notes add a refreshing contrast, creating a harmonious balance with these flavorful and crisp dishes.
Riesling
Celebrated for its aromatic profile and varying sweetness levels, Riesling pairs well with a range of cuisines.
For instance, off-dry Riesling complements spicy dishes from Thai or Indian cuisine, while drier styles complement seafood, poultry, and even pork. The wine’s acidity and floral notes enhance the overall dining experience.
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
Pinot Grigio (Italian style) or Pinot Gris (French style) is known for its crisp and easy-drinking nature.
This white wine pairs well with lighter dishes such as salads, seafood, and simple grilled chicken. Its clean and citrusy profile provides a refreshing palate cleanser, making it an excellent choice for warm-weather dining.
Viognier
A unique white wine variety known for its floral and aromatics, Viognier pairs well with slightly richer dishes.
Try serving Viognier with seared scallops, aromatic curries, or roasted chicken with flavorful herbs. The wine’s lush texture and exotic aromas complement the complexity of these dishes.
Be sure to tailor your white wine selection to align with your menu and explore other classic white wine pairings to offer a spectrum of choices that resonate with your customers’ preferences.
A Guide to Rosé Wine Varieties
Photo by Jonas Allert on Unsplash
Rosé wines, with their enchanting hues and diverse flavor profiles, offer a delightful bridge between reds and whites. Versatility is a crucial characteristic of rosé, so no matter what kind of food you serve, you have plenty of options to choose from when considering what rosé wine varieties to stock at your restaurant or bar.
Provence-Style Rosés
Provence-style rosés, known for their pale color and dry taste, are an excellent choice for light and fresh dishes.
Pair these rosés with salads, seafood, and grilled vegetables.
Their crisp acidity and delicate fruit notes complement the flavors of these dishes, creating a refreshing and elegant dining experience.
Zinfandel Rosés
Zinfandel rosés, with their bold fruitiness and slightly deeper color, are a fantastic choice for heartier dishes.
Pair these rosés with barbecued meats, grilled sausages, or spicy cuisine. The wine’s robust flavors complement these dishes’ savory and spicy notes, creating a dynamic and flavorful pairing.
Sparkling Rosés
Sparkling rosés add a touch of effervescence to any celebration. These incredibly versatile wines pair well with appetizers, light salads, or even fried foods. The bubbles and acidity of the wine create a lively and palate-cleansing experience.
Remember, when pairing rosé with food, consider the wine’s intensity and the dish’s flavors. Lighter rosés work well with delicate flavors, while fuller-bodied rosés can stand up to more robust dishes. Additionally, the acidity of rosé can cut through rich or fatty foods, providing a refreshing contrast.
A Guide to Sparkling Wine Varieties
Photo by Steve Daniel on Unsplash
Sparkling wines, with their effervescence and celebratory nature, add a touch of glamour to any occasion.
From the iconic Champagne to the lively Prosecco, each sparkling wine variety can offer a unique accompaniment to your menu.
Champagne
Champagne, the epitome of luxury, is characterized by its fine bubbles and complex flavors.
Pair Champagne with oysters, caviar, or creamy cheeses. The wine’s high acidity and mineral notes complement the brininess of seafood and the richness of cheeses, creating a sophisticated and delightful pairing.
Prosecco
Prosecco, the Italian sparkling wine, is known for its crisp and fruit-forward character.
Pair Prosecco with light appetizers, such as bruschetta, fresh fruit, or mild cheeses. The wine’s effervescence and fruitiness create a refreshing contrast, making it an ideal choice for casual gatherings and brunches.
Cava
A sparkling wine from Spain, Cava offers an outstanding balance between affordability and quality.
Pair Cava with tapas, paella, or seafood dishes. The wine’s bright acidity and citrusy notes complement the savory and flavorful elements of Spanish cuisine, creating a festive and enjoyable pairing.
Brut Rosé
Brut Rosé, a sparkling wine with a touch of pink hue, offers a delightful balance between dryness and fruitiness
Pair Brut Rosé with smoked salmon, grilled poultry, or summer salads. The wine’s versatility and crisp profile complement the smokiness of salmon, the juiciness of poultry, and the freshness of salads. Remember, when pairing sparkling wine with food, consider the wine’s sweetness level and intensity.
Dry sparkling wines like Brut and Extra Brut work well with a variety of dishes, while sweeter styles like Demi-Sec complement desserts. Additionally, the bubbles in sparkling wine can cut through rich and fried foods, cleansing the palate.
A Final Word on Choosing Wine Varieties
As you navigate the world of wine varieties for your restaurant, remember that each bottle is an opportunity to elevate your patrons’ dining experience.
Tailor your selection to complement your menu, considering your guests’ preferences will help you create classic food pairings for each wine variety.
Remember that proper wine storage is essential to ensuring a consistent flavor and taste experience.
Take the information you learned and craft a wine menu that tells a story, enhancing the overall culinary journey for your customers.
Cheers to creating unforgettable dining experiences!
Other Content You May Enjoy
Trivia nights have become an incredible marketing strategy for bars, restaurants, and breweries to draw in crowds and engage with new customers. With the recent collaboration between Geeks Who Drink, Timeplay, and the iconic television show Jeopardy!, businesses now have an exciting opportunity to host the Jeopardy! Bar League. This partnership combines the global brand recognition of Jeopardy! with Timeplay’s cutting-edge technology and the fun of live trivia from the experts at Geeks Who Drink.
In this piece we’ll cover what this new collaboration between these two trivia powerhouses is and how you can bring this unique experience to your venue.
Read More
In today’s world, both websites and social media platforms are crucial for a brewery, bar, or restaurant’s online presence. However, consumer habits show distinct preferences for each, depending on the context of their search or interaction.
In this guide, we’ll go over the basics, walk you through how to leverage these tools effectively, and show you how understanding these trends can help your venue better meet your customers’ expectations.
Read More
As a restaurant, bar, brewery, or any venue with a food and beverage program, having a modern, functional, and aesthetically pleasing website isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity.
No matter the size of your business, your new potential customers often interact with your website first—and first impressions matter.
In this piece, we’ll explore the top website trends shaping the online presence of hospitality businesses in 2025. These trends will help your venue stand out and attract more customers while creating a unique and modern experience to establish the perfect guest experience from start to finish.
Read More
For bar owners, hospitality managers, and small business owners, selecting the right gin brands is more than just filling the shelves—it’s about curating a distinctive customer experience. Gin has soared in popularity, becoming a staple of modern cocktail culture. With its complex botanical infusions, gin offers versatile, memorable flavors that can attract a wide range of customers. But with so many choices available, which brands should you prioritize to bring out the best in your gin menu?
This guide explores the seven best gin brands that have proven themselves through quality, craftsmanship, and unique flavor profiles. By understanding what makes each brand special, you and your staff will be better equipped to create a standout gin selection that delights your patrons, reinforces your brand’s reputation with a robust gin drinks menu, and helps you continue crafting classic and innovative gin cocktails.
Read More
Gin has steadily reemerged as a must-have spirit in the bar industry, known for its botanical complexity and versatility in cocktails. For bar owners, hospitality managers, and small business owners, understanding the classic gin cocktails can help elevate your cocktail offerings and attract a diverse clientele who value well-crafted drinks. A thoughtfully curated gin cocktail menu speaks to tradition and sophistication while allowing for creative, seasonal variations that keep customers engaged.
In this guide, we’ll explore the five best gin cocktails, each with a distinct history, preparation technique, and customer appeal. From refreshing to spirit-forward, these cocktails will provide a foundation for any gin-focused menu and cater to a broad range of tastes, giving your customers more reasons to return.
Read More
With its distinct botanical blend and refreshing qualities, gin has become a staple for many bars and restaurants. But what exactly is gin made out of? Understanding gin’s ingredients helps you better appreciate its complexity, talk knowledgeably with patrons, and craft memorable gin cocktails that keep customers returning. From the primary botanical—juniper—to unique, region-specific ingredients, this guide will break down the essential elements that make gin such a versatile spirit. We’ve tailored this article to help you make informed choices when building or expanding your gin drinks menu.
Read More
