Pairing Wine with Bread

Peering out from my third story window I could see the first rays of sunlight begin to break through Prague’s thick morning mist. Savoring my habitual cup of coffee, my thoughts reflected on last night’s wine tasting, and the many questions that I was asked.

The most commonly asked questions are on pairing seafood dishes, cheese, fruit, and desserts with the appropriate wines. The aficionados, being more astute are always keen to ask for more information as to why such pairings work.

Though it is an immense part of a sommelier’s training, wine selections are not always as typical as one would assume. For example, I happen to enjoy fusion cuisine. Pairing the appropriate wines to the various combinations of dishes can be quite the challenge. My simple guideline, always pair the wine to the sauce. Being a bit bold can be most rewarding in bringing out the balance of flavors of both the food and wine.

However, there is one question that I am never asked. What wines pair best with bread?

Let’s start with French Bread. Worldwide this light bread is among the most popular. What wines pair best? My recommendation would be Cabernet Sauvignon. Why? Put simply, Cabs are known for their high alcohol content, big bold taste, and oaky finish. I would also point out that both French Bread and Cabernet Sauvignon pair very well with fatty red meats that have been lightly seasoned. Black pepper especially serves to enhance the multi layers of the wine’s flavor profile. Keeping this in mind, heavy, rich breads just don’t pair anywhere as well.

Up next, whole wheat bread. This type of bread has a good bit of flavor. In order to balance out the palate, a Rose wine would be my go to choice. Light and refreshing, Rose is the optimal selection for a host of hors d’ oeuvres. An even bigger plus with Rose is that it pairs especially well with a variety of dishes.

Up next, rye bread. I am particularly fond of this type of bread. I enjoy its slightly tangy and slightly sour taste. The best wine to pair with rye bread is Pinot Noir. The wine’s silky smoothness nicely fills out the flavor of fresh rye.

Lastly, what wine pairs best with a sweet and hearty bread? In Europe, sweet breads are quite the rage. This style of bread is known for adding nuts and raisins, and occasionally, chocolate chips. Riesling is the perfect selection. Granted there are various styles of this wine ranging from dry to semi – sweet. When in doubt, select a Riesling that has the distinct flavor of apples. Combined with a hearty bread the flavors will explode on the palate, leaving one with a memorable and most pleasurable experience.

In conclusion, pairing wine with various types of bread is all about balance. True, such pairings can at first seem to be quite the challenge. However, I have found that it is through such challenges that lead us to the true gastronomic experience and have fun while we are learning. After all, isn’t that what makes life enjoyable?