Wine 101 Part 3: Complementary vs Congruent Wine Pairings
Welcome to part 3 of Terra Terra’s wine series, in which we will finally begin delving into the exciting world of wine pairing.
For those just joining us, we strongly recommend catching up on parts 1 and 2 of our series before tackling part 3. Part 1 lays the groundwork of the world of wine by exploring some of the fundamental wine elements like acidity and sweetness, while part 2 equips you with a curated list of 25 essential wine-related terms to always have in your arsenal when selecting and pairing wines.
The common approach to wine pairing is typically based on similarities between the wine chosen and the food you’d like to order. However, this overly simplistic approach overlooks a great deal of important information that will assist in creating delicious pairings.
Wine pairings can be complementary or congruent. Let’s delve into these differences now!
Complementary Pairings:
Sometimes, opposites attract. Complementary pairings follow this principle by matching wines with meals that have different profiles and few shared compounds but pair nicely together. A common example of this is pairing a bold and tannic red wine with an indulgent steak. The tannins in red wine, the compounds that give wine structure and astringency, contrast with the richness of a steak with high fat content. Another good example of a tried-and-true complementary pairing is matching salty, fried food with a fruity, sweeter wine. The idea is to create a dynamic interplay of flavours, aromas, and textures to balance the meal.
At Terra Terra:
Monastrell Serie Wild (a dry, tannic red wine from Spain with notes of cherry, star anise, and pepper) and our slow-cooked lamb with sweet potato mash and crispy cavolo nero. The dryness of the wine contrasts with the unctuous fattiness of the slow-cooked lamb, resulting in a delicious and balanced pairing.
Incrocio Manzoni Maso Furli (a larger-than-life Northern Italian white wine, full-bodied, acidic, and with notes of stone fruit throughout) with our bucatini cacio e pepe with truffle. The higher acidity in this wine cuts through the richness of the cacio e pepe cream sauce beautifully.
Chianti Fattoria Rodano (a softer red wine with lower tannins, moderate acidity, and a beautiful freshness) with our spaghettone al ragu d’anatra, our thick-cut spaghetti with minced duck ragu and crispy duck skin and sage. The savoury, umami-rich pasta pairs excellently with this complex and earthy red wine.
Congruent Pairings:
Sometimes called “echoing pairings,” congruent wine pairings match a wine and a meal with similar flavour profiles, aromas, or intensities. Think buttery Chardonnay with a creamy pasta or sweet wine with dessert. The idea is to enhance and intensify the flavours in both the wine and the food, creating a synergy that elevates the overall dining experience. Congruent pairings tend to be crowd-pleasers and are more traditionally taught as ideal pairings.
At Terra Terra:
Monbazillac Jour de Fruit (a sweet wine with a lovely aroma of honey, peaches, and apricots) with our Creme Brulee. The sweetness of the fruity notes in the wine intensify and bring out the sweet vanilla notes in the Creme Brulee.
Gavi di Gavi (a crisp, citrusy white wine) with our supergreen salad with courgettes, romanesco, and avocado in a spicy jalapeno dressing. The acidity in the wine mirrors the acidity and punch in the dressing, enhancing the freshness and vibrance of both elements.
Merlot Clairieres (an earthy and dry Merlot with notes of blackberry) with our delicious seasonal burrata, served with mushrooms, black truffle, and cacio e pepe cream during the winter. The earthy notes in the Merlot resonate well with the earthiness of the mushrooms, resulting in a deliciously rustic flavour pairing.
It is important to note that there is no right or wrong answer regarding whether a congruent or complementary pairing is best. A pairing that you love might not be everyone’s cup of tea (or glass of wine, rather). Wine pairing is much more of an art than a science: while basic wine principles are important as a general guide to best practices, wine pairing is all about nuance and individual preferences.
Rather than becoming overwhelmed by the vast amount of information available about wine and wine pairing, use this as an opportunity to experiment and discover what pairings you like best.
Cheers to delicious wine and great pairings!