A Match Made in Heaven: The Art of Wine and Food Pairing
By G. G. Jolly
"Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments," says Shakespeare at the beginning of his celebrated Sonnet CXVI.
Wine Never Goes Solo
Indeed, nothing is more natural than to speak of wine and culinary relationships, bonds, or affinities. The concept of a good wine and food pairing demonstrates that wine naturally shuns solitude. Even when we enjoy a glass alone, our own inner dialogue, music, or silence accompanies us. Wine is, fundamentally, society.
Marriage and Wine: A Historical Journey
Weddings have always been accompanied by wine throughout history. We find examples from the famous Wedding at Cana to epic tragedies on Olympus. It is also evident in the realistic descriptions of Flaubert's and Dickens' literature. Where there is a celebration, there is wine, and where there is wine, there is food.
However, the French term mariage literally means marriage. From this comes the current concept of gastronomic pairing. This is a recent trend that acquired its modern form at the beginning of the 20th century thanks to European culinary sophistication.
Wine and Food Pairing: Modern Harmony
The responsibility for this evolution lies with historical figures such as Marie-Antoine Carême and Auguste Escoffier. They codified the foundations of haute cuisine. Thanks to their legacy, wine culture joined culinary arts under strict principles of complementarity and harmony of flavors.
A modern sommelier acts as a matchmaker of flavors. Their goal is to make the acidity of the wine cut through the fat of the dish. They also seek for the fruity notes to temper the spicy touches of the food. It is a constant search for completeness, as Alain de Botton defines in his essays on love.
Advice for Weddings and Events
At Lacava.shop, we want to be that guide that accompanies you to find the ideal combination. That's why we design the best wine and food pairing for your special moments. We offer specialized advice for couples and wedding planners. We help you discern which labels to choose for the banquet.
Our strategic alliance with Uniko allows us to link wines and weddings digitally. This way, we create virtual gift registries completely personalized for each couple.
