Surely we have all heard of or know what the word pairing or pairing means when we talk about wine and food. If we look at some of its definitions online, it defines it like this: “Wine and food pairing is the process of pairing a food with a wine with the intention of enhancing the pleasure of eating them.” But there is much more behind the pairing than the fact of enhancing the flavor, and even in some cases the opposite is sought, that is, a balance in the combination of flavors or perhaps we simply seek not to interfere with the flavor of the food, as is For example, the case of pairing with Jamón.

The fundamental thing is to always think about the foods or dishes that we are going to try to find the best Spanish wine and not the other way around. Obviously if we have a good wine and we want to try it, we can do it with a glass at the right time, and it can be alone or reserve it for an appropriate food and thus enjoy its full potential.

In our winery, the wines are mostly designed to pair with our jamón and cured Iberian products but they also pair with many other foods such as meats, fish, cheeses, sweets, etc.

Our red wine pairing

Red wine has a tradition rooted in popular culture of being the wine that should accompany ham, but in reality there are not so many red wines that can fulfill that task. For example, a wine such as a Rioja Crianza or a Ribero del Duero with a lot of aging or with woody nuances will be wonderful to drink with red meats, in stews, stews, on the barbecue, and to accompany cured or very cured cheeses, etc. .

Now with ham, these types of wines are so intense, the strength of the tannin on the palate will interfere with the flavor of the ham and vice versa. As a result, we will not be able to enjoy either one or the other as they deserve because they will invade each other. For this reason, at Enrique Tomás we have created a smooth but high-quality red wine for red wine fans. It is excellent to taste the ham in its fullness.

There are two types of pairing, the one known as accompanying pairing and the one called contrast pairing.

Accompanying pairing

This type of pairing seeks to combine similar sensations and aromas in order to make both blend into a whole. The objective is to ensure that the flavor of the curing merges with that of the wine, causing a pleasant experience when eating them and enjoying it together. The flavor of the ham does not override the taste of the wine, nor vice versa, but what is achieved is that both merge into one, as is the case of our red wine Pairing with ham.

As a general rule, we can achieve this pairing when we combine certain soft red wines with some light foods such as salads or cold broths, however they can be stronger depending on the dish they accompany such as meats, powerful stews, cheeses, some sausages.

They make an incredible couple!

Contrast pairing

This type of pairing seeks, precisely as its name indicates, to contrast the flavors so that each element has its space on our palate without disturbing each other. In the case of ham, this pairing is ideal to cleanse the palate with a fresh and light wine, even sparkling, and then continue enjoying the next slice. In this pairing the flavors do not confront each other but rather each one has its moment, both are protagonists!

In our winery you will find other options of white and red wines, as well as high-quality cavas to accompany all types of stews and foods: Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat, Albariño, Juvé & Camps, Agustí Torelló, etc.

At Enrique Tomás we are specialists in Ham and how to make it an extraordinary gastronomic experience by finding the best drink pairing for each occasion. Our pairing wines have been selected for that purpose.