When it comes to pairing wine with smoked chicken, the key is to find a wine that can stand up to the bold flavors and richness of the meat. Smoked chicken has a unique combination of smokiness, caramelization, protein, and fat, which requires a wine with body, depth of flavor, and acidity or tannins to complement it. In this article, we will explore the best wine options for pairing with smoked chicken.
Grilling: A Match made in Heaven
Grilled smoked chicken can be paired with a variety of wines that have sufficient body, depth of flavor, tannins, and acid. New World cabernets, such as those from Napa Valley, are an obvious choice. Their fruit-forward profile, tannins, and full body complement the steak perfectly. Other suitable options include Syrah, Merlot, and red Zinfandel. If the smoke flavor is not too dominant, a Pinot Noir, Rioja, or Chianti can be a great pleasure, with their acidity serving as a refreshing counterpoint to the meat's texture. For grilled chicken, a lovely white wine such as Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, or Viognier can be a delightful choice.
A tip to remember when grilling is to avoid charring the meat too much, as it can impart a bitter taste. Bitterness in food accentuates the taste of bitterness in wine, especially in tannic wines, resulting in an unappealing combination. Squeezing a few drops of lemon juice onto the charred area of the meat can help reduce its bitter quality and enhance the meat flavors.
Smoking: Bold Flavors and Heavier Smoke
Smoked chicken presents a more challenging pairing due to the additional elements of spice, herbs, sugar, and a heavier dose of smoke. The spice tends to suppress the perception of acidity in the wine, making it taste flat, while the heavy smoke flavor can dominate the wine's flavors. To counterbalance these intense flavors, a big wine with spice and oakiness is needed. Syrah, Petite Sirah, and red Zinfandel are excellent choices. With lightly smoked meat and chicken, a Cote Rotie from the Northern Rhone or a Rioja from Northern Spain can be magnificent.
For those seeking the ultimate indulgence, pairing heavily smoked beef brisket with a superb Zinfandel or Syrah can lead to gastronomic bliss.
Barbecuing: Spicy, Tangy, and Sweet Flavors
Barbecued chicken, basted with a mild sauce or dry rub, presents its own set of challenges when it comes to wine pairing. The flavors are often spicy, tangy, and sweet, requiring wines that can complement these bold flavors. For beef, a big, spicy red such as Zinfandel or Petite Sirah is a great choice. For pork and chicken, Riesling and Alsatian Gewürztraminer are excellent options. Riesling provides refreshing acidity to stand up to the spiciness and cut through the richness of the meat, while Gewürztraminer's bold flavors of caramelized grapefruit and exotic spices harmonize with the succulent textures of the chicken and ribs.
While there are certainly other varietals to explore, starting with these options should provide great pleasure and serve as useful reference points for the styles of wines that work well with grilled, smoked, or barbecued chicken.
Pairing wine with smoked chicken can be a delightful experience when you find the right match. Grilled smoked chicken pairs well with red wines such as cabernets, Syrah, Merlot, or Zinfandel, while white wines like Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, or Viognier can be a great choice for grilled chicken. Smoked chicken with bolder flavors and heavier smoke calls for wines like Syrah, Petite Sirah, or Rioja. Barbecued chicken with spicy, tangy, and sweet flavors can be complemented by Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Riesling, or Gewürztraminer. Exploring these options will enhance your enjoyment of smoked chicken and wine.
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