The world of wine: all about wines
The world of wine
Wine to serve with salad: which one to choose for each type
Salads are one of the most versatile, fresh dishes that we can enjoy all year, particularly in the hotter months. Although we don’t always think of wine to go with salad dishes, the truth is that there are many delicious pairings that bring out the flavours of the vegetables, fruit and dressings. The secret is to choose the right wine for each type of salad.If you would like to discover more about choosing the ideal wine for each occasion, we recommend you read our article “Key tips to choosing the right wine”.Since salads are fresh, light meals, they tend to pair well with wines that are not too prevalent on the palate. Young white and rosé wines are the ideal choice, and also some mild reds. The key is to find wines with balanced acidity, freshness and fruity notes that pair well with the salad, without overpowering the taste. Salad can also pair well with red wine. For example:Pulse salad (lentils, chickpeas): a young, light red such as a young Tempranillo, pairs wonderfully with the creamy texture of the pulses.Salad with mature cheese or cured ham: a crianza aged wine pairs well with these salads, conferring structure to balance out the stronger taste of the ingredients.Griddled chicken or cold beef salad: a young, fruity red is the ideal pairing for these salads.In this case, you can apply the rule of harmony by intensity which we discussed in the article “Key tips to choosing the right wine”, i.e. the stronger the ingredient, a more full-bodied wine is required.White and rosé wines pair perfectly well with fresh salads:Lettuce and tomato salad: The most traditional, popular salad, mixing the green of the lettuce with one of the key products of the Mediterranean diet. Fresh tomatoes, olives, onion, tuna, boiled egg and asparagus are just some of the ingredients we can add to this salad, usually served with an olive oil and vinegar dressing. A young white such as Verdejo or Sauvignon Blanc will confer freshness and acidity.Citrus or fresh fruit salad: A Sauvignon blanc white wine will pair perfectly with vegetables, cucumbers and citrus dressings. The acidity and mineral hints keep the taste light and clean. These wines confer energy to any dish, particularly ones with hints of acid or herbs.Caesar salad: The creaminess of the Caesar dressing, Parmesan cheese and griddled chicken - this salad is just begging for an acidic wine to counter the fat, but also with sufficient depth to hold off the stronger flavours. A full-bodied Chardonnay or a cask-fermented white will balance the creamy dressing and the chicken.Caprese salad (tomato, mozzarella cheese, basil): A good tomato and mozzarella cheese salad with an olive oil dressing, a true delight on the palate, and more so with quality ingredients. A Mediterranean rosé wine or a fresh white such as an Albariño will make an excellent choice.Here are some general tips for pairing wine with salads:Acidic dressing, fresh wine: the more acidity the dressing (vinaigrette, citrus), the more acidic the wine should be to balance out the dish.Main ingredients: think if the main salad ingredient is light (lettuce, tomato, cucumber), or richer (cheese, meat, pulses).Avoid wine with excessive tannin content: they can clash with the fresh, bitter taste of some vegetables.Brave the bubbles: a Brut cava can be the perfect pairing for any salad, as it is clean and refreshing on the palate.All these tips follow the logic of harmony or contrast.Where to find the best wines to pair with salads at Consum?In the wine section at your local Consum supermarket you will find a wide assortment of white, rosé and young reds that pair perfectly with salads. From a refreshing Verdejo to a Mediterranean rosé, you will be able to choose the wine that best pairs with your recipe, and surprise your guests with a simple, perfect pairing.The following is a quick guide to make choosing the right wine easier:Green salad (lettuce, tomato, cucumber)Ideal wine: A young white (Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc). Refreshing, conferring a touch of acidity to balance the freshness of the vegetables.Caprese salad (tomato, mozzarella cheese, basil)Ideal wine: Mediterranean rosé or Albariño. It will pair well with the tomato and creamy mozzarella cheese.Caesar salad (chicken, parmesan cheese, creamy dressing)Ideal wine: Crianza aged Chardonnay. The full-body of the wine balances out the dressing and brings out the flavour of the chicken.Pulse salad (chickpeas, lentils, beans)Ideal wine: Young, fruity red wine (young Tempranillo). Confers freshness, without overpowering the creaminess of the pulses.Shellfish or fish saladIdeal wine: Brut cava or Godello. The bubbles clean the palate and bring out the taste of the sea.Find these wines at Consum’s Bodega and discover how a simple pairing can transform your salads into a special dish.
The world of wine
Tapas and wine night
Enjoy a night of tapas and wine with the perfect pairings. Discover delicious combinations for a unique culinary experience.
Tapas and wine night: pairings and ideas
Enjoy a night of tapas and wine with the perfect pairings. Discover delicious combinations for a unique culinary experience.
How to choose a good wine according to your tastes and the occasion?
Discover how to choose the right wine: red, white or sweet. Learn which factors to consider to find the perfect bottle for any occasion.
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The recommender
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Cava types and varieties
Discover the different types of cava and how they are classified according to sugar level, grape variety and ageing time. Don’t miss out!
The world of wine
Mead: What is and how is it made
We explain what mead is. Discover its benefits and properties and how to prepare it step by step with all the ingredients. Don’t miss out!
The world of wine
Aged wine: What is it and what are its characteristics - La Bodega
What is aged wine?“You improve like good wine”, a well-worn phrase but it may encapsulate the most important aspect of wines.Because a good wine is one that gains in complexity, balance and depth over time. And not all wines are capable of this. Hence the fact that old wines, wines that defy time and improve, can be pricey, a sign of their quality and value.What transformations occur in wines over the years?Time will not improve a poor quality wine. We must start from the premise that a great wine will improve if it is produced with this objective as it is already good. To this end, several factors are key:Good quality grape. It is known that there are grapes with greater ageing potential.Good vintage, favourable weather conditions to reach the grape’s optimum point.Reliable and regular producer.Wines with high acidity, tannins and even sugar.This can be found in white wines, red wines, rosés, sparkling wine, sweet wines… The ability to evolve is not exclusive to red wines as is generally thought.The passage of time in wines generates several changes:Transformation of aromas and flavours: when the wines are young, the primary aromas, fruit aromas, are the most evident. They can be appreciated in a fresh and crisp stage. In the case of red wines, red and black fruit like blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, and cherries stand out. Over time, they can develop into riper fruit, hints of tobacco, dried leaves, soil.In the case of white wines, hints of green apple, pear, herbs, peach turn into hints of honey, nuts, pollen, bread…Ageing in wood plays a fundamental role. The ageing of wine in a cask transfers their aromas and flavours, spices, roasts, vanilla, smoke, all of which depending on how long it is.Consequently, aged wines will leave behind their virtues of youth and fresh fruit and gain complexity with tertiary hints resulting from the ageing.These transformations continue in the bottle. So you should not forget that many wines gain with their subsequent storage in the bottle.Wine’s acidity decreases. Although, analytically, it does not change, its sensation does as it is softer and creamier in aged wines.Tannins are softened and this is one of the main functions of ageing. The astringency and dryness of a young tannin is gradually lost over time, producing rounder and smoother wines with ageing.Vintage wines are a treasure. If you have the patience wait to savour a unique product, which has been shaped by the years, and witness to stories, while defying fashions and trends, they will be a unique experience for your senses.If you are lucky enough to have stored a bottle for many years, or have inherited this wonderful gift, or if you are a treasure hunter seeking out old bottles, you will need certain things in order to enjoy them:These wines spend a lot of time stored in a barrel or bottle, which is why contact with the air causes a sudden change in them. Open them carefully and gently. If there is any sediment, which is probable due to the time passed, decant gently.Let it breathe for a while, to help release the aromas. As we have already mentioned, the time for the explosion of fruit has passed. The aromas will likely be more subtle, but there will be a new palate which is only achieved with time.Careful with the corks, as, due to prolonged ageing, they are likely to be moist and quite degraded. Have the proper corkscrew. In this case, the double-hinged waiter’s corkscrew is ideal to avoid breaking the cork.There is little else to say. Just time, time to calmly, unhurriedly, enjoy that bottle that had been stored for so long so that you can now savour it.
The world of wine
Types of white wine: Which one to choose?
Types of white wine: the essential guide for wine lovers. Find out about the varieties of white wines and how to choose the right one for each occasion.
The world of wine
What is Ramazzotti Spritz?
In this article we tell what Ramazzotti Spritz is and give you tips on how to accompany this drink. Don’t miss out on our tips!
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Sparkling wine-making methods
Discover how sparkling wine is made using the champenoise, charmat, transfer and traditional methods. Learn about each process and its characteristics.
The world of wine
Vinos de Portugal
Conoce los mejores vinos portugueses en nuestro listado. Te contamos sus características y las diferencias entre ellos. ¡No te lo pierdas!
The world of wine
A variety of cooking wines
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The world of wine
Best wines for pizza: Perfect pairing
Discover the best wines to go with your favourite pizza with the perfect pairing. We tell you which white, red or rosé wine to choose. Don’t miss out!
The world of wine
What is frizzante wine?
Find out what frizzante wine is, its unique characteristics and how to enjoy it. Learn about this sparkling wine, ideal for any occasion.
The world of wine
Best Italian wines
Get to know the best Italian wines in our very complete list. We tell you their characteristics and what they can provide. Don’t miss out!
The world of wine
Ciencia, vino y atrevimiento. Esto es el Food Pairing
Descubre el maridaje perfecto de la mano del food pairing
