When you think St. Patrick’s Day, you think green: green beer, green Midori, Irish Crème liqueur, green Irish whiskey…It isn’t surprising that St. Patrick’s Day Wine doesn’t jump into your mind when considering what to serve with corned beef and cabbage. I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to drink like a leprechaun to enjoy beautiful wines with St. Patty’s Day fare.
Irish Dishes
Irish dishes are often dominated by potatoes. They tend to be hearty and filling. Interestingly, according to foodandwine.com, corned beef and cabbage isn’t an authentic Irish dish. It’s an Irish-American dish created by Irish immigrants in New York eating corned beef sold at kosher butchers.
What Is the Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Wine for Corned Beef?
According to our friends at Wine Folly, Cabernet Franc is the perfect St. Patrick’s Day wine for this dish. Why? “Cabernet Franc’s elevated acidity and moderate tannins perfectly suit a rich, but not overly fat-laden corned beef. Cabernet Franc also makes a nice counterpart to flavors such as herbs, or the pickling spices imparted by the curing process.”
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What Should You Pair with Fish and Chips?
Breaded, deep fried haddock doused in malt vinegar, accompanied by thick potato slices (“chips”) and coleslaw, needs a mouth cleansing, fruity and crisp wine accompaniment. A not-too-sweet Riesling or a tart Sauvignon Blanc fit the bill. And if you insist, you can add some green food coloring 🙂
How About with Bangers and Mash?
This dish is basically mashed potatoes and pork sausages. This tends to be a more flavorful dish, so the wine pairing needs to cut the spiciness of the sausage, but not overpower it. Experts recommend a California Zinfandel or an Australian Shiraz. These wines’ tannins and acidity, coupled with berry and fruit undertones, make them perfect. And the mix of fruit and meat help lighten the meal.
I hope you enjoy some St. Patrick’s Day wine this year! Erin Go Braugh!
As an independent wine consultant with WineShop At Home, I absolutely enjoy bringing a taste of the Napa wine country home to you one sip at a time. Whether you simply love to drink wine, seek a special personalized wine gift, or are in search of a new wine jobs opportunity as a wine consultant, feel free to contact me for a truly unique wine tasting experience!
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2 comments
I would have never thought of pairing a Pinot Noir with corned beef. Thanks for the suggestion!
The funny thing about Pinot is it stands up to a lot of different types of foods. It’s kind of surprising.