Ham is a versatile entrée. You can find it in
everything from formal Easter dinners to relaxed summer picnics. Because of
this versatility, ham also has many wine pairings. The key to creating a
perfect pairing is in accenting the specific ham recipe, for instance, a sweet
honey glazed ham calls for a different wine than a smoked ham.
Sweet
If you're serving a wine with a sweet glaze, like
honey or pineapple, complement it with the subtle, somewhat bitter fruit flavor
of an Italian Pinot Grigio, or, for a bolder, richer combination, a Pinot Noir.
The salt in the ham really brings out the fruit flavor in wines such as Pinot Gris.
The sweet wine and glaze work against the salty ham, they strike a balance of
flavor. For a more subtle pairing, try a dry Riesling with your sweet ham. This
crisp wine has just a touch of fruit flavor, allowing the sweet ham glaze to
shine through.
Savory
Pinot Noir and Riesling also pair well with savory
hams, such as smoked or baked entrees. To create a contrast of sweet and savory,
go with Chilean, Italian or Californian Moscato. This white wine typically
features hints of citrus, apricots or pears, which offsets the salty or smoked
flavor with a refreshing sweetness. For ham served with tangy mustard, use the
lightly sweet flavor of a Zinfandel to create contrast, or complement the
mustard with Syrah, which has a peppery edge.
Spicy
Though less common than sweet glazed or savory
smoked entrees, ham sometimes lends itself to spicy dishes. In this case,
French Rosé wines fit the bill, as they cool down the spicy dish with bright,
fruity flavors such as strawberry, cherry and watermelon. For similar reasons, Moscato
works here as well, as do Chablis and light red Beaujolais varieties.
Don't forget to check the blogspot often for tips and news!
No comments:
Post a Comment