Tips for Pairing Wine with Your Will's Cookery Meals

One of the joys of Will's Cookery meals is that they bring restaurant-quality dining to your home table. To elevate that experience even further, many customers ask us about the ideal wine pairings for our dishes. While personal preference should always guide your choices, we're happy to share some pairing principles and specific recommendations for our most popular menu items.

Whether you're a wine enthusiast or simply looking to enhance your meal, these suggestions will help you create a more memorable dining experience.

In This Article

• Wine Pairing Fundamentals
• Pairing with Our Customer Favorites
• Columbia's Best Wine Sources
• Budget-Friendly Yet Perfect Pairings
• Beyond Wine: Alternative Pairings

Key Takeaways

• Match the weight and intensity of the wine with your meal for balanced pairings
• Regional pairings (wines from the same region as the dish's origin) often work beautifully
• Consider the dominant flavor in a dish rather than just the protein when selecting wine
• Local Columbia wine shops offer excellent personalized recommendations
• Even modestly priced wines can create exceptional pairings when chosen thoughtfully

Wine Pairing Fundamentals

Before diving into specific recommendations, understanding a few basic principles will help you make better pairing decisions for any meal.

Balance Intensity

The most fundamental rule is to match the weight and intensity of the wine with that of the food:

• Light dishes (like our herb-roasted fish) pair well with lighter wines
• Rich, hearty dishes (like our beef bourguignon) call for fuller-bodied wines
• Spicy foods generally work well with slightly sweet wines that balance the heat

Consider the Sauce

Often, the sauce or preparation method is more important for pairing than the primary protein:

• Tomato-based sauces typically call for medium-bodied reds with good acidity
• Cream-based dishes pair beautifully with buttery whites or light reds
• Herb-forward preparations shine with wines that have herbal notes

"I used to just pair red wine with meat and white with fish until I tried Will's recommended Pinot Noir with their herb-roasted salmon. It was a revelation that the preparation style matters more than the protein itself!" — David, Lake Katherine resident

Regional Pairing Logic

One reliable approach is to pair wines from the same region where the dish originated:

• French dishes often pair beautifully with French wines
• Italian meals naturally complement Italian wines
• This works because regional cuisines and wines evolved together over centuries

Pairing with Our Customer Favorites

Here are our specific recommendations for Will's Cookery's most popular dishes:

Chicken Fricassée

Our signature dish features tender chicken in a white wine cream sauce with mushrooms and herbs.

Ideal Pairings:

• White: Burgundian Chardonnay - its buttery texture and subtle oak complement the cream sauce
• Red: Light Pinot Noir - enough structure to stand up to the dish without overwhelming it
• Specific Bottle Recommendation: Louis Jadot Pouilly-Fuissé ($30-35)

Herb-Roasted Salmon

Our popular herb-roasted salmon has a delicate flavor profile with bright herbs and lemon notes.

Ideal Pairings:

• White: Sauvignon Blanc - echoes the herbal notes in the dish
• Rosé: Dry Provençal style - refreshing acidity cuts through the richness of the salmon
• Specific Bottle Recommendation: Sancerre from Pascal Jolivet ($25-30)

Southern-Style Chicken and Dumplings

This comfort food classic features tender chicken, vegetables, and fluffy dumplings in a rich broth.

Ideal Pairings:

• White: Viognier - aromatic with enough body to match the dish
• Red: Grenache/Garnacha - fruit-forward with moderate tannins
• Specific Bottle Recommendation: Yalumba Eden Valley Viognier ($20-25)

Beef Bourguignon

Our richly flavored beef stew braised in red wine with mushrooms and pearl onions.

Ideal Pairings:

• Red: Burgundy (Pinot Noir) - the classic regional pairing
• Alternative Red: Syrah/Shiraz - enough body to match the richness
• Specific Bottle Recommendation: Louis Latour Bourgogne Rouge ($22-27)

Lasagna Bolognese

Layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, bechamel, and cheese create a complex flavor profile.

Ideal Pairings:

• Red: Sangiovese (Chianti Classico) - the acidity cuts through the richness
• Alternative Red: Barbera d'Alba - fruit-forward with bright acidity
• Specific Bottle Recommendation: Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico ($24-28)

The Wine Pairing Assistant app can help you find alternatives if our specific recommendations aren't available locally.

Columbia's Best Wine Sources

Columbia offers several excellent sources for quality wines to pair with your Will's Cookery meals:

Local Wine Shops with Expert Guidance

• Vino Garage - Specializes in unique, small-production wines
• Cellar on Greene - Excellent selection with knowledgeable staff
• The Grapevine - Wide range across all price points

Wine Programs Worth Joining

• Wine Club SC - Monthly selections with detailed tasting notes
• Total Wine's Grand Tastings - Regular events to expand your palate

Delivery Services

For the ultimate convenience, these delivery services bring expertly selected wines right to your door:

• Winc - Personalized recommendations based on your taste profile
• Wine Insiders - Curated selections at accessible price points

Budget-Friendly Yet Perfect Pairings

Quality wine pairings don't require spending a fortune. Here are some exceptional pairings under $15:

• Chicken Fricassée with Bogle Chardonnay ($12-14)
• Herb-Roasted Salmon with Matua Sauvignon Blanc ($11-13)
• Beef Bourguignon with Côtes du Rhône from E. Guigal ($14-16)
• Lasagna Bolognese with Montepulciano d'Abruzzo from Umani Ronchi ($13-15)
• Southern Chicken & Dumplings with Kung Fu Girl Riesling ($12-14)

"Will recommended a $13 Côtes du Rhône with our beef bourguignon that was better than the $40 bottle we had the week before with a similar dish. It's not about price but about how the flavors work together." — Michael, Shandon resident

Beyond Wine: Alternative Pairings

Wine isn't the only beverage that pairs beautifully with Will's Cookery meals:

Craft Beer Pairings

• Chicken Fricassée with Belgian Witbier
• Herb-Roasted Salmon with Gose or Berliner Weisse
• Southern Chicken & Dumplings with American Amber Ale
• Beef Bourguignon with Flemish Sour or Oud Bruin
• Lasagna Bolognese with Italian-style Pilsner

Non-Alcoholic Options

For those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages:

• Sparkling water with citrus brightens lighter dishes
• Craft ginger beer complements spicier preparations
• Non-alcoholic wines from Surely offer wine-like experiences
• Cold-brewed iced tea works surprisingly well with Southern dishes

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Remember that while these guidelines can help, wine pairing ultimately comes down to personal preference. The best pairing is always the one you enjoy the most! We'd love to hear about your favorite combinations—share your discoveries during your next Will's Cookery pickup, and we may feature them in a future update.

What's your go-to wine with Will's Cookery meals? Do you have a pairing discovery you'd like to share? Let us know during your next pickup!