McLaren Vale: Shiraz, Old-Vine Grenache and the Sea

McLaren Vale is the wine region on Adelaide’s doorstep: about 33 kilometres south of the city, thirty-five minutes by car, ...
Read moreChicken Shawarma Wine Pairing: Garlic, Pickles and Spice

The chicken is the easy part. Garlic sauce, pickled turnip and the spice rub decide the bottle. Dry rose first, chilled Grenache second, plus one stocked pick.
Read moreBest Red Wine for Mushroom Bourguignon: What to Pour (and What to Avoid)

The best red wine for mushroom bourguignon is Pinot Noir, with Gamay and Grenache close behind. Why the meat-free version needs softer wine than the beef one, and what to avoid.
Read moreStroganoff and Wine: What to Pour (and What to Avoid)

Sour cream and mushrooms run this dish, not the beef, and both punish tannin. Why Pinot Noir wins, what to avoid, and one bottle for both versions.
Read moreBest Wine With Nachos: What to Pour (and What to Avoid)

The best wine with nachos is a chilled, low-tannin red like Grenache or a cold off-dry Riesling. Why salt, fat and jalapeño heat rule out the big reds, and what to pour instead.
Read moreMoussaka and Wine: What to Pour (and What to Avoid)

Moussaka needs acidity, not muscle. Xinomavro is the best answer, with Sangiovese and Grenache behind it, and the béchamel is the reason your usual big red falls over.
Read moreWine to Pair With Goat Meat: Why Lean Meat Needs a Softer Red

Goat is one of the leanest meats there is, so it cannot soften a big tannic red. Grenache, Tempranillo and off dry Riesling work better. Here is how to pair by the pot.
Read moreWine Pairing With Roasted Vegetables: What to Pour (and What to Avoid)

Roasting makes vegetables sweet and smoky, which changes what wine works. Grenache, Gamay, Tempranillo and Riesling lead; big reds and thin whites do not.
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