The aim of any wine tasting is to discover the different smells, textures and flavours that the world of wine has to offer. It is an enriching and delicious experience that every wine lover should try.
That is why we are going to explain the difference between wine tasting and wine pairing.
Difference between wine tasting and wine pairing
What is wine tasting?
A wine tasting is an activity that consists of tasting different wines with the aim of learning to perceive their typology through the senses, through a comparison. It is a moment to sharpen all possible senses in order to smell its aroma, feel its texture and perceive its taste.
Generally, it is carried out with a pairing, which is why both concepts are so closely related and, in fact, separating them is a mistake.
What is wine pairing?
Food and wine pairing is the combination of wine and food, fusing both components with the intention of finding a perfect balance. A good pairing is one that reinforces the characteristics of one of the foods, in this case wine, through the choice of food that can enhance the virtues of the drink.
A pairing can be made taking into account the harmony and flavours that wine and food have in common, for example by choosing sweet flavours, or, on the contrary, a contrasting pairing can also be made, such as the best known of all, that of wine and cheese.
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How can you do wine pairing?
Wine tasting and wine pairing can be carried out with practically all existing wines: young, fruity, fresh, white, dry, red… Even with cava or champagne. However, as each wine has its own particular characteristics, the wine pairing will be different in each case. To truly understand and appreciate the art of wine pairing, joining one of our Barcelona wine tours can be an enlightening experience.
Our tours offer hands-on opportunities to learn about pairing different types of wines with a variety of foods, guided by experts in the heart of Barcelona’s vibrant wine culture.
How to do wine pairing with red wines
Red wines are usually paired with heavy food with strong flavours, such as red meat: veal, lamb, etc. If the red wine is young, they can also be used with some fish dishes, although this is less common.
How to do wine pairing with white wines
White wines are usually paired with fish. However, as there are many types of white wine, the specific characteristics of each bottle must also be taken into account. Is it light? Does it have a body? Depending on the case, it can also be served with soft meats.
Moreover, since it is served chilled, it is usually indicated in cases of spicy food or sauces, vegetables or fresh cheeses.
How to do wine pairing with wines and dessert
Champagnes and cavas can also be combined with cheeses. That is why they are used in this kind of meals.
What foods should be avoided in wine tasting and wine pairing?
Just as there are some foods that, thanks to their contrast with the wine, enhance the flavour of the drink, there are others that do the opposite. When choosing a wine pairing for a wine tasting, it is necessary to select products that achieve a perfect harmony when mixed in the mouth.
Some of the products that you should never use in a wine tasting and pairing are: vinegars and vinaigrettes, chocolates, artichokes, asparagus, mushrooms, chicory roots, eggs, garlic, onion, or celery. Some of them because they would eliminate the flavour of the wine and others simply because they do not help to enhance any of its virtues.
If you want to learn more about wine tasting and wine pairing, we recommend you to attend one of our wine tastings in Barcelona. There you will learn how to taste a good wine and how to create the perfect pairing to accompany it.
