PASTA
The wine selection for pasta dishes will depend on the sauces and flavorings.
Cheese Sauce
The range of options is wide, but aim for a red or white with good acidity.
Cream Sauce
A buttery California Chardonnay matches strength to strength; for contrast, try a zingy Sauvignon Blanc.
Pesto Sauce
Serve a young red wine, such as a Dolcetto from Italy, a Beaujolais from France or a Zinfandel from California.
Tomato Sauce
Counter the acidity of the tomatoes with an acidic white wine. If the sauce has garlic and meat, however, you could go for a fruity red wine, such as an Australian Shiraz or a young red Rioja from Spain.
SALADS
A simple green salad with an oil and vinegar dressing, or any vinegar-based dressing, neither requires wine nor can it really be usefully paired with wine. There are a few salads, however, that can be matched with wine.
Caesar
A California sparkling wine will go nicely with a Caesar salad.
Niçoise
This tuna-based salad is perfect with a dry rosé from southern France.
Seafood
With a seafood salad, you could serve a California Chardonnay or a mid-range white Burgundy from France.
Spinach
A grassy Sauvignon Blanc from California or New Zealand, or a brut rosé sparkling wine from California, will work well.
Adapted from The Wine Guide (Time-Life Books, 1999)
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