Perfect Pairings: A Master Sommelier’s Practical Advice for Partnering Wine with Food

Product Description As thousands of wines from around the globe enter the marketplace and the American palate continues to adopt flavors from a range of cultures, the task of pairing wine and food becomes increasingly complicated. No longer is the choice simply red or white, or wines from California, France, or Italy. The typical shopper today has access to wines from those regions plus South Africa, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, and Australia. If that isn’t confusing enough, Asian, Creole, and Latin American dishes might find their way onto the same table. Perfect Pairings, by well-known Master Sommelier and respected restaurant industry veteran Evan Goldstein, provides straightforward, practical advice for how to pair wine with each meal. The quintessential resource for matching wine and food, Perfect Pairings acts as a guide to wine, wine terminology, and wine-growing regions as well as a cooking guide: this versatile coffee table book includes 58 companion recipes developed by celebrated chef Joyce Goldstein that showcase each type of wine. Perfect Pairings combines in-depth explorations of twelve grape varietals, sparkling wines, and dessert wines with guidance about foods that enhance the wide range of styles for each varietal. Whether the Chardonnay is earthy and flinty, or rich, buttery, and oak-infused; whether the Pinot Noir fruity and tropical, or aged and mature, Goldstein explains how to match it with dishes that will make the wine sing. His clear, educational, and entertaining approach towards intimidating gastronomical questions provides information for all readers, professional and amateur chefs alike. * 16 full-color photos * Six seasonal and special occasion menus * Tips for enhancing food and wine experiences, both at home and in restaurants * Glossary of wine terminology * Overview of the world’s primary wine-growing regions * Recommendations of more than five hundred wines, ranging in price from everyday to splurge From Publishers Weekly Goldstein, a James Beard Award–winning sommelier and author of Five Star Service, tackles the tricky task of pairing wine with food. His practical guide for learning about the different styles of wines (varietals) encourages experimentation and offers hints on how to taste with discernment. Comprehensive chapters on 12 common varietals and sections on sparkling and dessert wines contain the most pertinent facts: regions, top producers, key flavors to look for and ideas for food pairings. Goldstein's mother, Joyce, a noted chef and cookbook author (The Mediterranean Kitchen) shares complementary recipes for simple yet flavorful dishes. Sample menus suggest, for instance, pairing an austere merlot with Tuna with Rosemary and Citrus Tapenade; or an aged, developed syrah with Korean Short Ribs. A thorough glossary of everyday wine terms rounds out a useful primer for those who like wine but don't have extensive knowledge of the subject. 16 color photos. (May) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Review “Makes you want to go all-out for your next dinner party.” ― Wall Street Journal Published On: 2008-10-31 From the Inside Flap "The best wine and food pairing book ever written. Required reading for all who love to cook and entertain but are fearful of choosing the final ingredient of the recipe, the perfect wine."—Kevin Zraly, author of Windows on the World Complete Wine Course "Inspired yet down-to-earth, this book will make your life easier, your food more enjoyable, and the conversation around the table more spirited."—Jacques Pépin "I was crushed when the seminal California restaurant Square One closed its doors in 1996. The animated culinary dialogue between Evan and Joyce Goldstein—he with the corkscrew, she with the whisk—was always surprising, generous, and delicious beyond belief. Perfect Pairings revives that spirited magic so that any of us can learn to do it at home. I'm feeling better already!