Wine does not need to feel complicated.
This simple guide explains some of the main elements to look for when tasting wine, along with a few useful principles for pairing wine with food. We are always happy to help you choose at SHAMBLES, whether you already know exactly what you enjoy or simply want to discover something new.
Acidity
Wines with noticeable acidity are often described as bright, refreshing, tart or crisp. It is a similar sensation to drinking fresh lemonade or a good margarita – refreshing, thirst-quenching and likely to make you reach for another sip. A wine with high acidity may create a tingling sensation along the sides and top of your tongue and cause your mouth to salivate.
Tannin gives wine bitterness, structure and complexity. It can sometimes be described as having a herbaceous quality. Tannins create a drying sensation inside the mouth and along the cheeks. The more tannic the wine, the drier your mouth may feel. Wines with greater contact with grape skins, seeds and stems tend to contain more tannin, which is why red and orange wines are generally more tannic than white wines.
We identify sweetness through the taste buds at the tip of the tongue. Most wine, other than dessert wine, is described as dry, meaning that it contains relatively little residual sugar. However, wines with pronounced fruit and floral flavours can sometimes create the impression of sweetness, even when the wine itself is dry.
Fat – acidity – spice – salt – sweetness. There are many more, but these are a useful place to begin.
Fat with acidity or higher alcohol
A wine with pronounced acidity can add freshness and balance rich or fatty food. Alcohol can have a similar balancing effect, which is why richer dishes often work well with wines containing a little more alcohol.
Fat softens the drying bitterness of tannin, allowing the food and wine to balance one another. The classic example is steak with red wine. Sangiovese-based wines such as Chianti and Tignanello can work particularly well with rich meat dishes and the traditional Tuscan classic Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
Acidic food should generally be paired with a wine that has enough acidity to match it. When the acidity of the food and wine is balanced, more subtle flavours in both can become easier to appreciate.
A small amount of residual sugar can soften the heat of spicy food and create balance. Very alcoholic or heavily tannic wines can make chilli feel hotter, so fruitier or more floral wines may be a better choice.
Salty and deeply savoury food can work particularly well with off-dry wines. It follows a similar principle to combinations such as salted caramel, where sweetness balances salt.
Dessert wines should generally be at least as sweet as the dessert. Otherwise, the wine can taste thin or sharp alongside the food. A fruity or tangy dessert may suit a wine with higher acidity, while richer and creamier desserts can work well with softer, aromatic grapes such as Muscat. Our Sicilian Zibibbo, for example, is a lovely match with apple crumble.
Food and wine from the same region often work naturally together. Regional dishes and local grape varieties have developed alongside the same landscape, climate and agricultural traditions. A good example is Tuscany, where Sangiovese-based wines are traditionally enjoyed with Tuscan dishes such as Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
The food
Our Prawns Inferno combines the richness of shellfish butter with chilli heat. Baby artichokes bring additional sweetness and acidity, helping to balance the dish.
We suggest pairing it with a wine that has good acidity, generous fruit and a softer, less austere finish. Our Friulano from Livio Felluga is a great example. Its acidity refreshes the palate and helps the dish feel lighter, allowing the more delicate flavours to remain clear.
With more than 40 wines available by the glass, our wine list gives guests the opportunity to explore different grapes, regions and styles without committing to a full bottle. Our team is always happy to recommend a wine based on the flavours you enjoy or the dishes you have chosen.
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