So, you’re having a hog, lamb, BBQ or spit roast and have no idea what wine to serve? You could either stick to the generic red wine or you could impress your guests and arouse their taste buds with an array of wines that complement the flavour of the roast.
Hog Roasts/Spit
The pork meat can be classified in three major categories, fatty cuts, lean cuts and very lean cuts. Each cut can be paired with a different wine that enhances these flavours and compliments the meat.
Fatty Cuts
Fattier cuts of meat, like the shoulder, require a longer cooking time which allows the fat to permeate the meat. Tannic wines pair well with fatty meat, although the more common red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah usually do not do justice to the fatty pork meat.
The fat in the pork meat pairs well with medium tannin wines like Merlot and Malbec. An overly fruity red wine might leave a bad taste in your guest’s mouth. Lighter red wines such as the Pinot Noir and Sangiovese will also enhance the flavour of the meat and ensure an exceptional roast experience for all your guests.
Soft white wines, like your Chardonnays, cannot hold up to the fat content of a fatty cut of pork and it is therefore not a clever idea to serve these with a fatty roast. The clean, crisp finish of a Riesling or Pinot Grigio will pair perfectly with a pork roast.
Lean Cuts
Lean cuts usually refer to meat with just a thin layer of fat on the outside, meat that is usually still on the bone. With lean cuts both light red and full bodied white wines blend well.
Unlike the fatty cuts, Chardonnay compliments the lean cuts of pork. You can also pair these lean cuts with a Pinot Noir or Dolcetto. If you want to go the extra mile for your guests you can track down a Fiano, this is an unusual white wine that originates in Italy.
Very Lean Cuts
The pork tenderloin is the leanest cut of pork. If you do not overcook it, it is usually the most succulent and tender piece of meat. White wine pairs best with this cut as it has its own subtle, natural juices. If you’re determined on serving red wine then a Pinot Noir will be your best bet. Any other red wine will overpower the meat.
Lamb Roasts/Spit
Lamb is known to be one of the most wine-friendly meats there is. The best wine to pair with roast lamb is a Bordeaux. Bordeaux is a red wine blend of either Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Cabernet Franc or just Merlot blended with Cabernet Franc.
If Bordeaux is too strong or heavy for you then you can also pair your lamb roast with a general red wine blend, so long as it is not too fruity or sweet.
At Big Roast, we offer a range of spit roast options including pork roast loins, full hog roasts and wonderful lamb roasts. We also boast an impressive variety of standard and gourmet salads, vegetarian options, canapes and desserts. No event is too small or too big – we have catered for events from 20 – 1000 people! When you hire Big Roast, you can leave the hard work to us – we’ll cook, serve and then clean up whilst you enjoy your event!
To book your next roast, contact us today on contact@bigroast.com or call us on 0845 500 4455.