You don’t have to be a connoisseur of red wine to enjoy a glass of it every now and again. It can be difficult to differentiate between the varying types of red wines, however. Which red wine is the darkest? Which one is the driest? Which red wine should I enjoy with a steak dinner? Finding the best red wine food pairings can be hard. Here we list 6 different types of red wines and the foods they pair the best with, so that the next time you’re out with friends or on a date, you can show off your red wine knowledge.
If you’re new to the world of red wine, it’s highly suggested that you start with a nice Merlot. Merlot is positioned in the middle of the red wine spectrum and has a medium body and color. This red wine has notes of red fruits such as cherries and finishes off very smoothly. The great thing about this wine is that it pairs with just about any food you can think of. Being a medium-bodied wine in the middle of the red wine spectrum gives Merlot its versatility. You can pair Merlot with roasted veggies, including tomatoes, poultry such as turkey or duck, lightly-spiced dark meats, and pasta sauces.
Pinot Noir is the most popular light-bodied red wine there is. This red wine pairs well with most dishes because of its rich fruit profile and complexity. You can taste hints of red fruits like strawberries and raspberries, as well as earthy flavors and spices in this wine. It’s high acidity also makes it perfect for pairing with highly acidic foods and sauces. We suggest you try a Pinot Noir with an earthy dish that may include mushrooms or truffles, and meat ranging from duck and chicken to pork and veal, and even salmon.
Zinfandels are very versatile. You can find this type of wine as a red, pink, or white. Red Zinfandels are light-bodied but have a bold taste thanks to their moderate tannins and high acidic levels. While their color is lighter than that of a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, a red Zinfandel will have a rather high alcohol content level. This dry wine has flavors of berries and jam as well as hot pepper, usually starting out sweet and followed by a tobacco-like smoky finish. We suggest pairing this wine with a barbecue or curry dish. You can pair this wine with most meats and bold flavors.
This medium to full-bodied wine is dry, with a dark, almost inky, purple color. Malbec is popularly grown in Argentina and has flavors of plum and blackberries. The rich and elegant textures in this wine make it perfect for pairing with leaner red meats and lighter cuts such as turkey and pork. Malbec pairs fabulously with dry cheeses, like blue cheese, and is also delicious with spicy and sweet flavors like curry and barbecue.
If you're a fan of red wine, you'll probably enjoy a nice Cabernet Sauvignon from time to time. Cabernet Sauvignon is a dark full-bodied red wine typically known for being the most popular red wine there is. The flavors in this wine vary from plum and black cherry to hints of vanilla, black pepper, and tobacco. The tannins are very high in Cabernet Sauvignon which, mixed with its rich flavors, makes this wine perfect for pairing with thick steaks or chops. This is the perfect red wine to pair with juicy red meat and dishes with heavy flavor.
Syrah, also known as Shiraz, is one of the darkest, full-bodied red wines available. Also having similar tastes of blackberries and black cherries, as well as notes of chocolate and spice, make Syrah a versatile wine. You can pair Syrah with roasted, grilled or smoked meats such as veal, beef, and duck. It's even a great match with barbecue and really compliments just about any type of game. If you're in the mood for hamburgers, this is also a tasty wine choice to match.
The Grill at Quail CornersHere at The Grill, we offer an extensive list of wine, from white to red, options are almost endless. Hopefully, this list helps steer you in the right direction for making good red wine-food pairings, but if you still need a little help, our knowledgeable staff can help. It's also important to remember to pick wine options that you enjoy. Sometimes, just because a particular wine pairs better with your meal, doesn't necessarily mean you'll love it. Use your newfound knowledge to make decisions based off of your preferences and don't be afraid to try something new! The Grill is proud to offer suggestions and wants you to enjoy their food just as much as they do! Connect with The Grill at Quail Corners today or request a reservation to experience Reno fine dining!
Summer is here and now it’s time to take part in enjoying some of your favorite outdoor activities. You can go on hikes, ride your bike, take your dog for a walk, go for a swim, and our personal favorite - enjoy a nice meal outside. If you’re looking for the best restaurant in Reno with great food and a beautiful outdoor view, then visit The Grill at Quail Corners where you’ll love the simple yet sophisticated menu and our extensive selection of wine. It'll be a Reno fine dining experience you'll never forget!
Enjoy your summer night with comfortable outdoor seating at The Grill at Quail Corners. Summer is here and The Grill in Reno has welcomed the new season by opening up their patio for fine outdoor dining. And if you’ve dined at The Grill before, then you already know their food is amazing. Now you can enjoy their delicious dishes while embracing the warmth of the summer sun and the beautiful elements of nature with their outside patio. Each table comes with its own umbrella, perfect for creating shade if it’s just a little too bright out. And for all you dog lovers out there, their patio is pet friendly! The wide tables are perfect for moderate sized groups or for a couple enjoying a night out. Take pleasure in the quiet atmosphere and warm summer air that will upgrade your fine dining experience at The Grill. Set up a reservation today at the best restaurant in Reno!
The Grill at Quail Corners turns casual dining into an elevated food experience. We offer the best lunch and dinner menu in Reno from the salads to the pizzas, each dish is taken to the next level and given a creative flair that really sets them apart from other restaurants. At The Grill, we strive to elevate your favorite classic foods by turning a simple meal into a sophisticated dish that your taste buds are bound to love. Besides the fabulous food, The Grill also has an array of wines, beers, and cocktails. Take a look at our lunch and dinner menus and don’t forget to browse the wine list!
There are so many different wines and tastes to certain wines. It is hard to keep track of which ones have more oaky tastes or the smooth citrusy aromas. If you love a glass every now and then, you definitely don’t have to be an expert. But if you've ever wanted to be more involved in the wine community, the first step is having knowledge of different wines. Another step is knowing how to pair wines to foods, desserts, and cheeses. We created a list of white wine food pairing suggestions. This will guide you down the path of becoming the wine critic you were meant to be!
A Riesling is a lighter wine with a fresh aroma. Usually reminding its consumers of having a fresh apple smell. Since this wine can be made either dry or sweet, it is easy to pair with different foods. More of the dry wines pair well with salty dishes since the acidity in Riesling can easily balance the food. While an off-dry wine can be paired with Asian and Indian cuisines, this wine can tame the heat in these spicier dishes.
This is one of the most popular white wines that are bought. This is because of the versatility of its grapes. They are the easiest to grow in different climates, which means you can get different flavors from the grapes. However, this wine can also be misunderstood due to its layering of flavors. Depending on where the grapes are grown and how they are fermented, Chardonnay can have many different tastes. However, our white wine food pairing suggestions for this wine is pretty simple. This wine pairs well with fatty fish, chicken, pork, or fish dishes in rich sauces.
Another well known white wine would be the Pinot Grigio (Gris). Its grapes are known to come from Oregon or Alsace. This wine is known to be crisp and on the dry side. Having more fruity flavors mingled in its depths. This wine is particularly versatile but the Alsatian Pino Gris has flavors that best suit Thai dishes. Also, cuisines with a little more spice such as Chinese. You can also pair this wine with light fish dishes. Its flavors will complement the lightness of the dish and the seafood in it.
Another grand white wine is Semillon. If this doesn’t sound familiar, here is a crash course on this type of white wine. This wine is usually mixed with Sauvignon Blanc. This is because of Semillon’s low acidity, combined with Sauvignon Blanc gives it a unique freshness. If you are looking for a treat, this sweet wine is perfect for just that. This wine pairs well with seafood (shellfish), pork, veal, and chicken.
This wine is known for its dryness. Sauvignon Blanc is also very different in the herbal aspects. This wine is made with herbal flavors such as bell pepper, grass, gooseberry, and jalapeno. This uniqueness might be strange but a lot of wine lovers enjoy its crispness. Since it has earthy tones, some of our white wine food pairing suggestions would be drinking it with herb filled meals. Pairing it with seafood, poultry, and salad are also great choices.
Hopefully, this starter list will help you begin your journey in the wine world. It is important to try different kinds to find the blends and creations you enjoy the most. While you go on this journey, check out The Grill at Quail Corners for a Reno fine dining experience. We are one of the best Reno restaurants and have multiple sensational wines to try. Our staff will help you pair them to a meal which compliments its flavors. Or you can use the newfound knowledge and try to pair them yourself!
Summer is in full swing, the mercury is hitting triple digits and all you can think about is cooling down and refreshing yourself at the end (or in the middle, we don’t judge!) of a long day.
Nothing says summer quite like a delicious, crisp glass of wine bursting with sunny flavors. Here at the Grill At Quail Corners, we pride ourselves on our extensive wine selection- you’re sure to find something to your taste.
Whether you’re a sommelier or a complete newcomer to the wonders of wine, we’re here to help you choose the perfect one to complement your meal with us. Read on and be inspired!
A true summer classic, Sauvignon Blanc is perfect in the hot weather. With its distinctive, vivid aromas and zesty acidity, it’s easy to identify. Its green, herbaceous and fruity scents are sometimes accented with musky aromas, yet its flavors are consistently fresh and bright. Our two Sauvignon Blancs are the Laird Family Vineyards and the Groth, both from the iconic Napa Valley.
Drink it with: fresh seafood, like our Seared Ahi, Seafood Cocktail, Grilled Salmon, Cioppino or Pan-Seared Scallops.
Another time-honored summer stalwart, Pinot Grigio is crisp and light, perfect for warm weather dining. The primary fruit flavors are lime, lemon, pear, white nectarine and apple. It offers a refreshing sparkle of acidity. Our Pinot Grigios are the Corte Giara and Santa Margarita from Italy, and the Backhouse from next door in California.
Pair with: cheese-based dishes, like our Grilled Mozzarella or one of our delicious pizzas.
Perhaps not as well-known as our first two suggestions, Viognier is a powerful contender for the perfect summer white. It’s is a fantastic breaking-into-summer grape with lovely floral aromas that remind you of spring, but with the luscious flavors of stone fruits.
Pair with: chicken dishes like our Chicken Piccata or Mediterranean pizza.
Yes, red wine really is great in the summer!
The variety’s low to moderate tannin content and crisp acidity allows aroma and mouth feel to dominate the experience, which is perfect for summer. It’s pretty much impossible to sum up this wonderful variety in a few sentences, so we’ll allow our extensive range of Pinot Noir wines to speak for themselves.
Pair with: almost everything! Our recommendation is to pair a Pinot Noir with decadent beef dishes like our Filet Mignon, Steak Frites or New York steak.
Since this variety is grown in a wide range of climates and regions throughout the world, it has varied flavors. Fundamentally speaking, Cab is a full-bodied red wine with dark fruit flavors and savory tastes from black pepper to bell pepper. We have an amazing range of Cabs- try Groth Vineyards from Oakville or Silver Oak Cellars from the Alexander Valley.
Pair with: our hoisin-glazed Short Ribs.
Nothing says summer quite like a piquant glass of fizz. What could be more refreshing on a hot summer day? We have a great selection including prosecco from Italy and champagne from France.
Pair with: anything on our menu: make it a celebration!
We’re sure you’ll find the perfect wine to complement your meal here at the Grill at Quail Corners. If not, be sure to ask your server for today’s Off-the-List list. Happy summer!