Are wine and tapas the perfect match?
There’s nothing more Spanish than a few tapas with a good wine. But do you know which one goes best with each? If you’ve ever got in a muddle choosing between red, white or rosé, don’t worry. We’re going to sort it out without any weird jargon. Because yes, pairing is an art, but you don’t need a master’s degree to enjoy it.
Keys to getting it right (without the fuss)
The trick is for neither the wine nor the food to overpower the other, but to bring out the best in each other. Think of a conversation between friends: if one shouts and the other whispers, there’s no balance. Well, it’s the same with wine and tapas.
- Balance: A light wine with a light tapa. A powerful wine with a tapa with character. Common sense, right?
- Complementarity: Flavours that get along. A fruity white with a tapa with tomato or fresh cheese, for example.
- Contrast: Opposites sometimes attract. A sweet wine with blue cheese or a dry sparkling wine with creamy croquetas.
Red wine: when it hits the spot
Reds are usually the safe bet for more flavourful tapas. Think of a good jamón ibérico: a crianza gives it the respect it deserves.
- Young reds: Go well with tapas with tomato, mild cured meats or semi-cured cheeses.
- Fuller-bodied reds: Perfect with cured cheeses, foie gras or marinated meats.
White wine: more versatile than you’d think
No, it’s not just for fish. Depending on the type of white, you can pair it with almost anything.
- Fresh, citrusy whites: Ideal with marinated olives, crunchy vegetables or mild cheeses.
- Fuller-bodied whites: Work with sautéed mushrooms, nuts and tapas with a touch of spice.
- Sweet whites: The surprise of the day. Try them with foie gras or blue cheeses and prepare to be amazed.
Rosé: the foolproof wildcard
If in doubt, go for a rosé. It’s the perfect middle ground between the freshness of a white and the character of a red. With cured meats, tartlets or a goat’s cheese salad, it always works.
rule number one: try it and enjoy
Rules? Hardly any. Up for experimenting? Absolutely. The best pairing is the one you enjoy most. So next time someone asks you which wine goes with what, try it and decide for yourself. And if you want more ideas, you know where to find them.
Discover wine experiences in our app.
