To achieve the best match it is necessary to analyse the basic components in both the wine and the food. The idea is to try to balance them so that neither the food nor the wine overpowers the other.

Does it matter what wine is served with a particular food or dish?

First of all it is important to take into account personal taste. If a particular combination pleases you then it is the right choice for you.

The main reason for food and wine matching is to enhance the overall experience of a dish or meal by pairing it with a wine that will complement it. Think about strawberries and cream, how when combined they are more delicious than when eaten separately, even though they are tasty foods individually.

What should I think about when matching wine with food?

Remember it is a matter of personal taste, so choose combinations you find particularly pleasing.
Many wine styles evolved to complement the cuisine of the region, and so this is a good starting point for finding a food and wine combination.

Have fun, be brave and experiment. Many excellent combinations have been discovered this way.

Is there such a thing as a safe bet food and wine pairing?

Some food and wine combinations work so well that they are truly marriages made in heaven.  For example:

Asparagus	Sauvignon Blanc
Christmas Pudding	Liqueur Muscat
Consommé	Fino Sherry
Foie Gras	Sauternes
Fruits de Mers	Muscadet
Goat's Cheese	Sancerre
Oysters	Champagne
Parma Ham and Melon	Pinot Grigio
Roast Lamb	Red Bordeaux
Roast Pork	Beaujolais
Roquefort	Sauternes
Stilton	Port
Strawberries and Cream	Sweet Vouvray
Sushi	German Riesling Kabinett

Are there foods that are impossible to match with wine?

Listed below are foods that are very difficult or impossible to match well with wine. In these instances all you can do is find the best possible match, or better still limit the amount of that particular food. For example, horseradish spoils the flavour of wine so take a small serving rather than great dollops of horseradish sauce with your Roast Beef.·

Artichokes
Capers
Cheese
Chilli
Chocolate
Eggs
Fennel
Horseradish
Lemon/Lime
Olives
Spinach
Tomatoes
Truffles
Vinaigrette
Yoghurt