What wine would go good with this dish?

Question

I'm going on a second date with this guy and he's going to cook me dinner. I don't know exactly what he's making but I think he's going to make a spicy stir fry with steak because I told him that is one of my favorite things to eat. What would be a good wine that would go with that dish that is available in Canada and is under $20?

Answer 1

Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot.

Answer 2

Spain is simply one of the most exciting wine-producing countries on the planet right now. Some incredibly talented young winemakers are experimenting with a wealth of old vineyards and indigenous grapes, and they're coming up with very exciting results. Meanwhile, across the Mediterranean, Italy in general continues to produce a vast range of wines — in many diverse styles — but it's the wines from the country's south that have been raising eyebrows lately.

South of the equator, there's much talk about the continued rise of both Chilean and Argentinian wines at consumer-friendly prices. And finally, New Zealand is producing three types of winners: pungent and racy Sauvignon Blancs, impressive New World Rieslings, and notable Pinot Noirs.

These are the specific wines that caught my attention in recent weeks. Each costs less than $20.

Answer 3

A red wine should hold up to a spicy beef dish - Syrah, Pinot Noir, Merlot.

Are you go towards a white wine like a Gewurztraminer or a Reisling to "refresh" your palate with the lighter, fruity wine to offset the spicy beef.

I'm sure if you pick a wine you like, it will be just as good as any of our recommendations.

Answer 4

Get these two:

(1) In case he definitely makes steak buy what most wine critics say is today's best widely distributed red wine in the world (one reference among many: "Decanter magazine, May, 2006): the Concha y Toro Caserillo del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon. It should be from $ 12 to $ 14, depending on your province.

Canuck pride alternative: we are finding that recent years' Jackson-Triggs VQA cabernet blends from either Niagara or Okanagan appellations to be really good, and they seem to be at low prices ($ 11 - $ 15, depending on the particular wine and province); perhaps Jackson-Triggs is trying to develop recognition of Canadian red wines by pricing low.

(2) In case it is not steak, get a bottle of good but inexpensive sparkling wine. Several cavas from Spain and proseccos from Italy are priced below $ 20, and some below $ 15.

Good sparklers go with practically anything and everything.

If you have the sparkler with the meal you can enjoy the red with an after-dinner course of excellent Quebec artisan cheese. If you have the red with the meal and your date goes well you can enjoy the sparkler with after-dinner romantics.

Answer 5

I agree with most of the other answers, Merlot is a nice light red. It is acceptable with virtually anything and if you are wrong and he cooks something else it is just as acceptable. I believe that Merlot flavors or type are a pretty international red wine. Good luck and have a nice time.

Answer 6

Blush wines with their light, cool, refreshing fruit flavors and appealing hint of sweetness are a soothing balm for the fieriest dishes. Maybe that's why sangria (wine mixed with fruit juices, orange slices and ice) was invented. Sangria does work well with culinary pyrotechnics, especially those hot Latin chilis, but so do a number of wines: Gewurztaminer, Chenin Blanc and Riesling.

A slight touch of sweetness takes the edge off the heat of spicy foods, but if the wine is too sweet it interferes with the other flavors. The perception of dry or sweet, however, is strictly personal. Recommended below are a few wines that I have found to work quite well; they have just the right touch of sweetness, balanced with crisp acidity, to be refreshing. Look for young wines, preferably no older than 1994.

Specially recommended ($5.99 to $9):

DeLoach White Zinfandel and Early Harvest Gewurztraminer
Louis M. Martini White Zinfandel
Robert Mondavi Woodbridge White Zinfandel
Preston Chenin Blanc
Simi Rose of Cabernet Sauvignon
Elk Cove Riesling
Fall Creek Emerald Riesling
Daniel Gehrs Chenin Blanc Le Cheniere
Bonny Doon Pacific Rim Chenin Blanc and Riesling
Alexander Valley Vineyards Chenin Blanc
Llano Estacado Riesling
Trefethen White Riesling



Pinot Gris

Spicy dishes offer the perfect opportunity to try some of the zesty, newish wines that are becoming more widely available in the United States (such as Pinot Gris) most of which now comes from Oregon. My hope is that more winegrowers will grow pinot gris, not only in the northwest but also in other parts of the country, including cooler regions of California. If there is plenty of supply prices will remain low. With few exceptions, Pinot Gris made in this country are simple, fruity wines.

Specially Recommended ($9 to $12):

Adelsheim
Knudsen-Erath
King Estate
Ponzi
Rex Hill



Other Dry Whites

Some dry whites also work with spicy foods, especially fish and shellfish or chicken. Chardonnay that really has the character of Chardonnay is rarely a good choice in my view, oaky ones especially. White wines that can do the job nicely include Soave, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, genuinely dry Riesling and one or two others as listed. Again, young ones are best -- 1994 and, in the spring, 1995.

Specially recommended ($6.50 to $11):

Alderbrook Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc
Dry Creek Fume Blanc
Soave
Benziger Fume Blanc
Foppiano Sauvignon Blanc
Fortant Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvion Sancerre
Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling
Hogue Cellars Dry Riesling
Les Jamelles Marsanne
QupÈ Marsanne

Reds

Moderately spicy foods, such as milder meat curries, tandoori chicken and simple fajitas, can handle young red wines such as lighter Zinfandels, Beaujolais, Pinot Noir and certain blends. The reds recommended below are light enough to be chilled, which makes them all the more refreshing and palate-soothing.

Red Wines (best lightly chilled):

Beaujolais-Villages 1994
Beaujolais Nouveau 1995
Ravenswood Vintner's Reserve Zinfandel '92/'93
Bonny Doon Clos de Gilroy 1994
Martin Bros. La Primitiva Zinfandel '92
Seghesio Pinot Noir 1993/'94
Meridian Pinot Noir 1993
Quivira Dry Creek Cuvee 1993
Preston Faux 1993
Saintsbury Garnet Pinot Noir 1993/94

Answer 7

A red wine like Merlot would be fantastic. I tend to favor merlot because it doesn't have a vinegary bite like most wines and it's not too sweet. However if you like that quality in your wines then go for Cabernet Savignon or Shiraz

Answer 8

I suggest a red wine..perhaps a merlot.wine is very personal. some like dry wine, others like sweet wine.but definitely go with red or at least a blush. if you like blush, I suggest Peller estates Oakridge. It is pleasing to both those who like dry and sweet wines.

Answer 9

How about a nice Sangeovese or Merlot? You can also consider a Gamay Beugoleis, Gamay, or Shiraz.