New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Food Pairings
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is a very popular wine choice; it has a bright, tart taste that’s great for many different dishes. The bold nature of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc means it needs to be paired with food that won’t get lost and overpowered by the taste of the wine. Instead, the food needs to stand on its own and complement the grassy, green notes that often accompany a good New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. This article looks at several different food pairings for this delicious, bold white wine.
Seafood
Seafood and Sauvignon Blanc are a classic pair, you can choose almost any type of seafood, and it will complement the citrusy flavours of Sauvignon Blanc well. Seafood has an inherent freshness which is often brought to life with a squeeze of lemon. This freshness fits perfectly with the fresh, bold and citrus flavours that come with a good New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Don’t be afraid to pair this delicious wine with a range of seafood dishes; you’ll struggle to find one that won’t taste even more delightful when combined with a good Sauvignon Blanc.
Herby pasta dishes
Light, fresh, herby pasta dishes paired with a good quality New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc are an excellent choice for a dinner party or even a midweek meal. The green notes in a Sauvignon Blanc combined with fresh green herbs complement each other perfectly. The combination will bring out the taste of the herbs to make them even more prominent on the pallet. Some great ideas for herby pasta dishes that work well with Sauvignon Blanc are a green pesto pasta or a chicken and basil pasta dish.
Citrus salads
New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs have a range of citrus notes that are ideal for pairing with salads that contain citrus fruits. The bright grassy notes of the wine work well with the fresh, light taste of the salad. Many salads use citrus fruits to add extra taste and freshness to the dish. This might be a lemon and herb dressing or the addition of oranges or grapefruits to the salad itself. Either way, these salad dishes will work perfectly when paired with a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.
Avocado brunch
If you fancy a glass of wine at brunch, a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is a great choice that goes particularly well with avocado on toast with a squeeze of lemon. Some New Zealand wine might be considered too heavy for a brunch occasion, but this isn’t the case with a Sauvignon Blanc. Although the flavours are bold, they still work perfectly with an avocado brunch. The acidity and herbal flavours of Sauvignon Blanc bring out the creamy, delicious taste of avocado.
Vegetable stir fry
If you’re looking for a quick and delicious meal to pair with a glass or two of Sauvignon Blanc, then a vegetable stir fry is the perfect meal. There aren’t many wines that work well with this type of meal. Sauvignon Blanc has the right level of acidity and green grassy notes to perfectly complement a vegetable stir fry without detracting from the delicate flavours of the green vegetables. Broccoli, sprouts and bell peppers are just a few of the green vegetables that can be incorporated into a vegetable stir fry and served with a delicious glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
Chicken dishes
Chicken isn’t a particularly strong flavour, but it works well with Sauvignon Blanc, especially if it also includes citrus notes or a herbal sauce. Lemon chicken, for example, has a punchy but delicate citrusy flavour that is perfect for pairing with a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. You can even serve this delicious wine at a barbeque with lemon and herb chicken skewers. Combined, the wine and chicken taste much better, with the flavours melding together to create a sensation in the mouth.
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is a very versatile wine that’s perfect for pairing with any dish that includes citrus or herb flavours. If you’re making a fresh dish that uses herbs, green vegetables or citrus fruits to create the taste, try serving a glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc alongside it, you won’t be disappointed with the results.