This wine pairing guide from Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits on Grand Cayman will help you learn about the most popular wines and the foods that go best with them.
Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits is proud to be the leading retailer of premium wines, beers and spirits in Grand Cayman. Choose us for:
- Huge selection of award-winning wines
- Premium and rare spirits
- Local and imported beers
- Five convenient locations across the Island
- Online ordering with free delivery
Foods to Pair with Your Wine
Cabernet Sauvignon
This is probably the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. Cabernet grapes have spread around the globe from their origin in Bordeaux (France) and are now significant grapes in the Napa Valley (California), Coonawarra (Australia) and Maipo Valley (Chile) wine regions.
Pair Cabernet Sauvignon with:
- Well-marbled beef
- Duck
- Stew
- Pot roast
- Grilled red meat
- Spice rubs and sauces with lots of black pepper; mushrooms
- Marinades containing soy sauce
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the world’s most famous white wine grape, one of the most widely planted, and beloved by people all over the world. Some of the best chardonnays come from France and California, but there are also fine examples from Italy, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Pair Chardonnay with:
- Shellfish
- White-fleshed fish, e.g., halibut, mahi-mahi, tilapia
- Chicken and turkey
- Pork
- Veal
- Beans
- Risotto and pasta
- Cream and butter sauces
- Mild Caribbean dishes with tropical fruit flavors
Merlot
Some consider Merlot to be the Chardonnay of red wines. It is the second most popular type of red wine behind Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot grapes are plentiful in France, Italy, Switzerland, California and Washington.
Pair Merlot with:
- Tender, milder cuts of beef, such as tenderloin
- Meats with warm spices
- Meats with fruit sauces, e.g., berries, dried cherries
- Lamb
- Meaty fish, e.g., salmon, tuna
- Grilled foods
Pinot Noir
The best Pinot Noirs originate in Burgundy, France, but the grape has been carried around the globe, most notably to California, Washington, Oregon, South Africa and New Zealand. Pinot Noir features strong, oaky overtones and is considered a moderately dry medium-to-light bodied wine.
Pair Pinot Noir with:
- Poultry and duck
- Lamb
- Venison
- Hearty fish, e.g., salmon, tuna
- Ham, spicy pork
- Sweet-salty marinades
- Fruit-based sauces with berries or dried cherries
- Spicy Asian and eastern Mediterranean dishes
- Many cheeses
Riesling
Riesling is a highly aromatic and fruity grape variety. It can span a broad range of styles, being produced in both dry to sweet and light to full-bodied variations. While historically associated with Germany, delicious Rieslings today also come from Alsace, France, Australia’s Clare and Eden Valleys, and Washington and New York’s Finger Lakes region in the U.S.
Pair Riesling with:
- Shellfish
- Pork, including ham
- Salads and vegetables
- Egg dishes
- Barbecue
- Asian dishes, such as Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Indian
- Southwestern foods
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is now successfully grown in wine regions all over the world, including California, Chile, South Africa, northern Italy and Australia, and has become the signature white wine of New Zealand, where it features intense green citrus and berry fruit flavors.
Pair Sauvignon Blanc with:
- Cheese (especially goat cheese)
- Green vegetables (asparagus, zucchini, fresh peas, artichokes)
- Oysters
- Delicate fish, e.g., sole
- Mild vinaigrettes
- Dishes with tangy dairy ingredients
- Pesto
Whether you live on Grand Cayman or are just visiting, the Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits wine pairing guide is a great resource. Order the wine(s) of your choice from our online store, and we’ll deliver FREE of charge, or visit one of our convenient liquor stores on Island.
