Looking for great Chardonnay food pairing ideas? Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits offers an array of incredible Chardonnay wines, and our experienced, expert team will be happy to provide guidance regarding the right bottle to complement the perfect meal. Whether you’re visiting the Cayman Islands or you call Grand Cayman home, take advantage of our fresh, comprehensive inventory and skilled staff.
An incredible Chardonnay, when paired with the wrong food, can instantly become less satisfying and even distasteful. The subtle, rounded flavor of Chardonnay can be taken over by some foods. The food that you choose should be subtle and developed, just like the wine. In fact, foods that enhance the flavors of the wine will also enhance the taste of the meal, so making the best choice of Chardonnay and food to pair is critical.
Suggestions For Chardonnay Food Pairings
- Pair with creamy and buttery dishes;
- Pair with mildly flavored dishes;
- Pair with creamy textured foods like soups, sauces, pastas, and risottos;
- Pair with meatier fish like cod and shellfish like lobster, crab, and shrimp;
- Pair with lightly flavored pork and chicken dishes;
- Pair an oaky Chardonnay with smoky and toasted flavors – nuts, breads, meats, etc.;
- Pair a crisp Chardonnay with lighter foods like baked chicken or fish with simple herbal seasonings;
- Pair a ripe Chardonnay with carmelized, roasted chicken and flavors in the sweet potato and winter squash category;
Pairings to Avoid:
- Spicily seasoned food marked by chilies and often found in Indian, Chinese, and Southeast Asian cuisine;
- Bitter foods like greens and turmeric;
- Acidic foods like raw tomatoes, olives, ceviche, and tangy sauces;
- Funky smelling cheeses;
Chardonnay needs to be served slightly above refrigerator temps. Before serving, take the wine out of the fridge or ice bucket and allow it to warm up for about 20 minutes.
Ready For Recipes?
If you’re looking for a recipe that will pair well with Chardonnay, look no further. Allow us to provide one that will be a sure crowd pleaser.
Wine – Antinori Tormaresca Chardonnay
Recipe – Seafood Risotto
Prep Time: 15 min; Cook Time: 30 min; Total Time: 45 min
Makes 6 servings.
Ingredients:
- 2 TBSP olive oil
- 1 white onion (diced)
- 3 tsp minced garlic, divided (2 tsp for risotto + 1 tsp for mussels)
- 1 ¼ cup white wine, divided (¼ cup for risotto + 1 cup for mussels)
- 2 cups risotto
- 4 TBSP lemon juice
- 4 TBSP tomato paste
- 4 TBSP water
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 7 oz. live mussels
- 7 oz. shrimp
- 7 oz. baby scallops
- 7 oz. calamari rings
- ½ cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Using a stockpot, combine the wine, garlic, and salt for the mussel preparation.
- Bring this mixture to a simmer over medium and add the live mussels.
- Cover and steam on medium-high heat for about 5 minutes.
- Remove the stockpot from the heat. Discard any unopened mussels.
- Keep a dozen mussels still in the shell and remove the shell from the rest of them.
- In another pot, heat the vegetable broth on medium heat. Turn down the heat if it begins to boil.
- With a large pot, heat the olive oil and then saute the onion and garlic until the onions are clear.
- Add the risotto to the onion and garlic to toast for about four minutes, stirring regularly to prevent browning.
- Add the white wine and lemon juice and scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze.
- In a separate bowl, mix the water and tomato paste. Whisk together.
- After the risotto absorbs all of the wine and lemon juice, add the mixture of tomato paste and water. Stir as the risotto soaks up this liquid.
- Add a scoop of the heated vegetable broth and stir regularly until the risotto again soaks up the liquid. Repeat this process for eighteen minutes. Throughout the process, keep stirring gently, remembering the bottom to prevent scorching.
- At eighteen minutes, add the mussels that you have shucked, the prawns, scallops, and calamari. Cook the seafood for eight more minutes, adding vegetable broth as needed until the risotto is cooked – the right balance of firmness and tenderness.
- Finally, add the parmesan and salt and pepper and garnish with shelled mussels.
Find the perfect Antinori Tormaresca Chardonnay for any of your great food pairing ideas here at Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits!
