One of the most memorable pairing fails I’ve ever had was with a high tannin wine and an expensive bottle of Syrah that we paid the corkage fee for at a nice restaurant. The flavors in our food clashed with the wine and both were uninspiring. What a waste.
Here’s what you need to know about foods that react badly with high tannin wines
11 Foods that React Badly with High Tannin Wines
- Bitter Chocolate: High-tannin wines and bitter chocolate both contain bitter elements, and when combined, they can intensify the bitterness, creating an unpleasant taste.
- Artichokes: Artichokes contain compounds that can make wine taste less enjoyable, especially in combination with high-tannin red wines.
- Asparagus: Asparagus has a distinct flavor that can clash with the tannins in red wine, leading to an unpleasant metallic taste.
- Citrus Fruits: Citrus fruits, particularly grapefruit and oranges, can accentuate the bitterness of tannins in wine, creating an unbalanced taste.
- Vinegar-based Dressings: Salads with vinegar-based dressings can clash with high-tannin wines.
- Spicy Asian: Spicy Asian dishes can intensify the perception of alcohol in high-tannin wines, making them seem hotter and less enjoyable.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes are acidic, and their acidity can interact with the tannins in wine, altering the overall taste and potentially creating a metallic flavor.
- Blue Cheese: While some people enjoy the combination, the strong flavors of blue cheese accentuate the tannins in red wine (a winning combination is pairing your blue cheese with a quince jelly).
- Raw Garlic and Onions: Raw garlic and onions can have a pungent flavor that may not complement the tannins in red wine, potentially leading to an unpleasant aftertaste.
- Spicy Mexican: Like Asian cuisine, chili heat in your favorite Mexican dish (like onions on tacos), will make your tannic wine harsh.
- Spicy Curries: There’s a trend here. Spicy curries will clash with your high tannin wine.
Personal Note: I have never understood the obsession with pairing dry, high-tannin red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon with dark chocolate. It’s a horrible, bitter, nasty combination. But we all have personal preferences. My preference is Port and chocolate. That’s a pairing I can get behind.
What Flavors to Avoid with High Tannin Wines
The general rule when pairing high tannin wines is to avoid bitter, spicy flavors.
Helpful Tip: Check out this quick guide to wine and food pairing that gives you the essentials.
What Are Examples of Low, Medium, and High Tannin Wines
Tannin in Red Wines
| Low | Medium | High |
|---|---|---|
| Beaujolais | Merlot | Carménère |
| Pinot Noir | Malbec | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Gamay | Zinfandel | Syrah |
Thirsty for More?
Head over to this 30-second tasting tip on how to taste tannins.
Love tannic red wines? Head over to this list of strong red wines you need to be drinking.
