Wines for Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is a terrific opportunity for chefs to showcase the best of Cajun Cuisine, it is also an excuse for wine lovers to mix and match favorite wines with the hot and spicy flavors of the beloved Bayou region.
General Rules of Thumb
Cajun Cuisine is known for being rich, buttery, spicy and full of flavor. So when you are searching for wines to step up to the pairing challenge, you will want to bypass heavy duty reds that are high in tannins like a Cabernet Sauvignon, as they will taste more metallic and destroy the flavors of the dish. Instead, opt for wines that will be crisp, cool and will not compete with the intensity of the dish’s flavors.
Going for Gumbo?
With a sizzling bowl of gumbo you’ll need a lively Sauvignon Blanc. It will do its share to balance the heat of this classic Cajun soup. As for red wine selections, opt for a versatile Pinot Noir or a snazzy Shiraz, both are typically low in tannin structure and have an easy-going palate presence that will sustain and complement a sizzling gumbo filled with shrimp, chicken or sausage.
Opting For Cajun Catfish, Shrimp Creole or a Crayfish Entree?
If you are trying something seafood or shellfish-based, then stick with a white wine that offers both refreshment and maintains a brisk component in its structure. A true Riesling, Gewurztraminer, or a Sauvignon Blanc will work nicely.
From Stacy Slinkard.
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